Sworn interpreters and translators

In the Netherlands, the courts of law, the police, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the Royal Marechaussee and the Public Prosecution Service are obliged to use sworn interpreters and translators.

Listing in register and taking the oath

In order to become a sworn interpreter or translator in the Netherlands, you must be listed in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Register beëdigde tolken en vertalers, Rbtv). This register is kept by the Bureau of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Bureau beëdigde tolken en vertalers, Bureau btv). Registration is subject to quality and integrity requirements.

With your certificate of registration, you subsequently submit a request to be sworn to the district court for your place of residence. After you have taken the oath, the court will send you an instrument of administration of the oath. You must send a copy of this instrument to Bureau btv.

Foreign sworn interpreters and translators

Foreigners who want to work as a sworn interpreter or translator in the Netherlands must also be listed in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators. In order to do that, you need to have a certificate of good conduct (Verklaring omtrent het gedrag, VOG). If you have lived in the Netherlands for less than five years, you must also submit an integrity statement from your country of origin. In addition, you must at least hold a certificate which shows that you possess the required knowledge and skills. Recognition of diplomas awarded in another EU country can be obtained from Nuffic.