Sworn Translation of Medical Documents

Medical documents are those that certify a person’s health status, medical history, disability status, or vaccination record. Unlike other documents, medical ones cross borders in three very specific situations:

1. When someone needs healthcare abroad and must present their medical history to a doctor or specialist who does not read Spanish
2. When a visa or residence permit requires proof of the applicant’s health status
3. When it is necessary to recognize rights such as disability benefits, pensions, or insurance claims before institutions in another country

In all these cases, the receiving institution requires a certified (sworn) translation of medical documents, signed and stamped by a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC), not a generic medical translation without legal validity.

This collection brings together the four most commonly requested medical documents for official sworn translations in international procedures.

Sworn translation of medical reports

The sworn translation of a medical report is the most complex service in this collection due to the density of specialized terminology involved: diagnoses, diagnostic tests, pharmacological treatments, surgical procedures, and anatomical nomenclature, all of which require a sworn translator with specific training in certified medical translation.

It is mainly requested in three scenarios: when a patient is to receive specialized care in another country and needs the receiving physician to understand their medical history accurately; when an international health insurance provider requires official documentation of health status in the insurer’s language; and when a visa or residence permit includes a medical certificate or health report among its requirements in the destination country’s language.

Mc LEHM Express delivers the sworn translation of medical reports from €22.95 within 24 hours with digital signature and seal.

Sworn translation of vaccination certificates

The vaccination certificate, also known as an international vaccination card or immunization record, certifies the vaccines administered to the holder, the dates of administration, and the health authority that registered them.

Its sworn translation is required for visas to countries that demand proof of specific vaccinations as an entry condition, in international adoption processes where a child’s health records must be submitted to the authorities of the adopting country, in enrollment in educational institutions abroad that require vaccination history in the local language, and in family reunification procedures where minors’ medical documentation is part of the application file.

The sworn translation of vaccination certificates from €17.95 accurately reproduces all vaccines, dates, batch numbers, and official stamps of the issuing authority.

Sworn translation of disability certificates

The disability certificate is the document that certifies the degree of disability recognized by the Spanish public administration.

Its sworn translation is essential in two main situations:

1. When the holder moves to another country and needs their disability status to be recognized by the destination country’s authorities in order to access corresponding benefits, tax advantages, or assistance;
2. when a foreign citizen who has been recognized as disabled in their country of origin wants that recognition to be taken into account in Spain.

Disability recognition between countries is not automatic, as each administration applies its own criteria, but having an official sworn translation of the certificate is the first requirement to begin any recognition process.

At Mc LEHM Express, we deliver the sworn translation of disability certificates from €19.95.

Sworn translation of medical prescriptions

The sworn translation of medical prescriptions is requested when a patient needs to obtain a medication prescribed in Spain at a pharmacy in another country, or when a prescription issued abroad must be validated by a doctor or pharmacist in Spain.

Although in many European Union countries electronic prescriptions are recognized across borders within the framework of the European e-prescription system, outside the EU a certified translation of the prescription is required.

The sworn translation of medical prescriptions accurately reproduces the active ingredient, dosage, instructions for use, prescribing physician, and issuing healthcare authority.

At Mc LEHM Express, we provide it from €17.95 within 24 hours.

How much does sworn translation of medical documents cost?

The price of sworn translation of medical documents at Mc LEHM Express starts from €17.95 for standard-length documents: medical prescriptions and vaccination certificates. Disability certificates start from €19.95, and medical reports from €22.95, due to their greater length and the higher level of terminological complexity they usually involve.

Mc LEHM Express’s certified medical translation service operates entirely online: there is no need to send the original paper document or visit any office. The client uploads the document in PDF format, selects the target language, confirms the order, and receives the sworn translation in PDF with a digital signature and seal directly by email within 24 hours. Sworn translations with a digital signature have exactly the same legal validity as paper versions before any receiving authority: consulates, international insurance companies, foreign hospitals, and public administrations.

If you need to know the exact cost of the sworn translation of your medical document before confirming—especially if the report is very long or includes attached diagnostic tests—you can contact us through the contact form to receive a no-obligation quote.

In which languages are sworn translations of medical documents carried out?

Mc LEHM Express provides sworn translations of medical documents between Spanish and the most in-demand languages: English, French, German, Italian, Arabic, and Russian.

We also translate into other languages such as Portuguese, Romanian, and Chinese, among others. Request a no-obligation quote and we will provide the exact cost of your translation.

The most common combination is sworn translation into English of medical reports for visa and international insurance purposes, followed by sworn translation into Arabic for citizens from North African and Gulf countries who need to submit medical documentation to authorities in their country of origin.

Medical translation is one of the most demanding specialisations in professional translation. The documents in this collection contain clinical, pharmacological, and diagnostic terminology that a general sworn translator may translate incorrectly without specific training in health sciences. At Mc LEHM Express, we have sworn translators specialised in certified medical translation to ensure that the final document is faithful to the original both in content and terminology.

How long does sworn translation of medical documents take?

The standard turnaround time is 24 hours for medical prescriptions, vaccination certificates, and disability certificates. For lengthy medical reports—including diagnostic tests, hospital discharge reports, or multiple specialist evaluations—the turnaround time may extend to 48 hours.

What legal validity does sworn translation of medical documents have?

A sworn translation of medical documents carried out by an official sworn translator has full legal validity before consulates, international insurance companies, foreign healthcare providers, disability recognition authorities, and public administrations in any country. The official translation provided by Mc LEHM Express includes the sworn translator’s declaration, digital signature, registration number in the official MAEC list of sworn translators, and official seal. This is what distinguishes it from a non-sworn medical translation—perfectly valid for internal clinical use—and what ensures that the receiving institution accepts it with full legal force.

What is the difference between medical translation and sworn translation of medical documents?

Medical translation is a subject-matter specialty: it refers to any translation of healthcare or clinical content, regardless of whether it is officially certified. A doctor may commission a medical translation of a scientific article, a drug leaflet, or a clinical protocol for internal use: in such cases, there is no need for it to be signed by a sworn translator; it only needs to be accurate and understandable.

Sworn translation of medical documents is a different legal category: it is carried out and signed by a sworn translator registered on the official MAEC list and is the only type that has legal validity before public authorities, consulates, and insurance companies that require official documentation. When a consulate, a disability authority, or an international insurance provider requests an official translation of your medical report, vaccination certificate, or prescription, what is required in all cases is a sworn translation, not a general medical translation. Submitting a non-sworn translation, even if technically perfect, results in the document being rejected.

Do I need an apostille on medical documents in addition to a sworn translation?

In most cases involving medical documents, no. The Hague Apostille is required for documents issued by public authorities when they must take effect in countries that are signatories to the Convention, and only if the receiving authority explicitly requests it. Some disability certificates issued by Spanish public administrations may require an apostille if the destination country demands it. However, medical reports issued by private clinics, prescriptions, and vaccination certificates from private healthcare providers are not public documents eligible for apostille: in these cases, a sworn translation alone is sufficient.

Can an automatic translation of medical documents cause real problems?

Yes, and in this category the consequences can be more serious than in others. A translation error in a diagnosis, a medication dosage, or the name of an active ingredient can lead to incorrect prescriptions, rejection of health insurance claims, or even wrong clinical decisions. That is why institutions requiring official medical document translation do not accept machine translation tools or unqualified translators: the only guarantee of terminological accuracy and legal responsibility for the content is the signature of a sworn translator specialised in certified medical translation.

Real use cases by document

For medical reports:

Specialised treatment abroad where the receiving doctor needs the full clinical history in their language with complete accuracy; non-lucrative or retirement visa applications that include health requirements; claims to international insurance companies requiring official clinical documentation in the policy language; second medical opinions at hospitals in other countries.

For vaccination certificates:

Visa processes in countries requiring proof of specific vaccinations as an entry condition; international adoption procedures where the child’s medical history must be submitted to the authorities of the receiving country; enrolment in foreign schools requiring international vaccination records in the local language; family reunification cases involving minors whose medical documentation forms part of the application file.

For disability certificates:

Relocation to another country with applications for recognition of disability by local authorities to access equivalent benefits and support; recognition of disability granted abroad so that it has legal effect in Spain; international pension procedures where the beneficiary’s disability status determines the amount of the benefit; access to support services at foreign universities requiring official proof of disability level.

For medical prescriptions:

Purchase of medication prescribed in Spain at pharmacies in countries outside the European electronic prescription system; validation of prescriptions issued abroad by Spanish doctors or pharmacists; controlled medications requiring official documentation in the language of the destination country; long-term treatments for patients temporarily residing in another country.