WHAT ARE OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS?
Official translations are translated documents which end up with public or private authorities and are used as evidence or supporting documents to determine the outcome of various cases. Just some examples include:
- translations used as evidence in court and determining the outcome of a trial
- translations submitted as supporting documents to social security providers which affect acceptance or rejection of a pension application or the pension amount
- translations of medical opinions and examinations submitted to hospitals used to determine how to continue treatment
- translations of qualifications and supporting documents which will affect the decision whether or not an employee meets recruitment criteria
- translations of technical specifications and declarations of conformity with the relevant legislation under which marketing authorisations for imported products are granted
- translations of tax documents requested to handle various cases at tax offices, etc.
The difference between them and the ordinary translations lies in the fact that the translator is required, by placing his/her signature and seal, to assume legal responsibility for the correctness and accuracy of the translation.
WHO DOES OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS
In Greece, this right to sign official translations is only granted by law to certain groups of professionals (and not to all translators currently operating in the Greek market).
I happen to be one of those professionals as a graduate of the Department of Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting of the Ionian University and a member of the Panhellenic Association of Professional Translation Graduates of the Ionian University (PEEMPIP). So I can provide you with official (certified) translations needed for your dealings with the Greek state. After my studies at the Athens Law School, I expect to also be able to prepare official translations in my capacity as a lawyer.
OFFICIAL TRANSLATORS FROM THE IONIAN UNIVERSITY
Presidential Decree 169 of 17.6.2002 (Government Gazette 156/2.7.2002) and Decision No. ΔΙΣΚΠΟ/Φ22/5583 of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as Council of State Judgment No. 2799/2013
Recognition of translators who have graduated from the Ionian University as official translators derives from Presidential Decree 169 of 17.6.2002 (Government Gazette 156/2.7.2002) and Decision No. ΔΙΣΚΠΟ/Φ22/5583 of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as Council of State Judgment No. 2799/2013. Ionian University graduates are also listed as official translators in many circulars issued by various government departments, and their translations are recognised as official by many public and private bodies in Greece and abroad.
For example:
- Opinion No. 333/2014 of the State Legal Council expressly states that it is possible for graduates of the Ionian University to prepare official translations: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uTtWHGR_Jimm2R51EA0K1ST9oEB41b7x
- Circulars from the Ministry of the Interior expressly confirm that official translations done by graduates from the Ionian University are acceptable to the Citizenship Directorate: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YnBsahtE-PxrrJUUvzpK51NiVzZYQPxC
- Circular No. Δ. ΟΡΓ. Δ 1008736 ΕΞ 2019/2019 of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue expressly confirms that it accepts the official translations done by graduates of the Ionian University: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVq6JpCyGm6vCLQcGxipyIjbbkffHHPb/view?usp=sharing
- Circular No. Φ1/ 212000 /ΓΔ4 from DG Primary and Secondary Education (Ministry of Education) expressly confirms that it accepts official translations done by graduates of the Ionian University: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1x5JxG7FokLO2gk_uThHMDxgRUlVbDiCW
