A document may be perfectly translated and still need another formality before an authority can use it. The safest starting point is to identify the document, its country of issue, its destination and the exact requirements of the office receiving it.
What is an official translation?
An official translation is a translation prepared and certified through a route recognized for the intended administrative or legal use. It reproduces the information in the source document, including relevant seals, signatures and annotations, and is accompanied by the required certification.
An official translation does not, by itself:
- authenticate the original document;
- prove that its contents are true;
- replace a separate legalization requirement.
In Greece, the appropriate route may involve:
- a translator on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Register of Certified Translators;
- a lawyer who meets the applicable legal conditions;
- a graduate of the Ionian University’s Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting with a translation specialization.
OMADA coordinates selected official-translation projects with professionals in these categories and confirms the suitable route for the document and its use.
When might you need one?
Official translations are commonly requested for:
- civil-status certificates
- academic records
- court decisions and pleadings
- administrative certificates
- powers of attorney
- contracts and corporate documents
The fact that a document is important does not automatically mean every recipient requires an official translation. Some authorities accept an original in another language, while others prescribe a specific certification or format.
Ask the receiving authority what it requires:
- Language: the language of the translation;
- Route: the accepted type of translation and certification;
- Source: an original or a certified copy;
- Format: the delivery format;
- Authentication: any additional step, such as an Apostille.
Send every page, reverse side, seal and attachment for review before the translation begins. For court material used in another jurisdiction, see also Greek legal translation for cross-border evidence.
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a certificate issued by a competent authority in the country where a public document originates under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention ↗. It verifies the origin of the document: the signature, the capacity of the person signing and, where applicable, the seal or stamp. It does not certify the accuracy of the text, validate its legal effect abroad or translate it.
If a public document issued in one contracting country is to be presented in another contracting country, an Apostille may replace consular legalization. It is placed on the original public document or an eligible certified copy by the competent authority of the issuing country—not by a translation agency. For some eligible Greek digital documents, an e-Apostille route is available through gov.gr.
When is an Apostille unnecessary or insufficient?
Some public documents moving between EU member states are exempt from Apostille under Regulation (EU) 2016/1191. For documents within its scope, a multilingual standard form may also help avoid a translation requirement; a translation can still be requested in exceptional circumstances.
Other bilateral or multilateral rules may create further exemptions. Check the precise document and destination rather than assuming that all cross-border documents need the same steps.
If the Hague Convention does not apply, the receiving authority may require consular legalization or another procedure. An Apostille also does not make a translation “official”: document authentication and translation certification are separate steps. For foreign public documents submitted to Greek authorities, required authentication normally precedes the official translation.
From and into Greek: the right route for your destination
OMADA offers this service for selected language combinations from and into Greek. Availability and certification method depend on the language pair, document and intended use.
For translations into a foreign language, acceptance depends on the rules and practice of the authority in the destination country. Before commissioning, obtain that authority’s requirements; a Greek-certified translation or a lawyer’s certification is not automatically sufficient everywhere. If you manage such filings regularly, see how we support legal teams.
Before you send the document
- Authority: Identify the exact authority that will receive it.
- Language and type: Confirm the required language and accepted type of translation.
- Authentication: Ask whether the original needs an Apostille, another legalization, or neither.
- Complete copies: Send clear copies of all sides, stamps and attachments.
The receiving authority decides whether a specific submission meets its requirements. For certain EU public documents, the safeguards and acceptance rules of Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 also apply.
Official references
Further reading: HCCH: Apostille Convention ↗ and the official references listed above. This guide gives general information and does not replace the receiving authority’s instructions.