GONZALEZ KALBERMATTEN & TAFOIRY

Yes, they do.

We deliver your certified translations in two professional formats:

• A printed hard copy on premium linen paper, affixed with an authentication hologram sticker; and

• A digitally signed electronic version suitable for secure online submission.

Each expert-certified translation includes an Affidavit executed by the Expert Translator under sworn oath, a requirement commonly imposed in judicial, estate, and administrative proceedings.

Both formats feature a certification seal that includes:

• The translator’s official handwritten certification signature; and

• Two verification hyperlinks for use by clients and relevant authorities:

1. Appointment Verification Link – Directs to the official website of the Nuevo León State Supreme Court, confirming the translator’s appointment/commission.

2. Firm Verification Link – Directs to our official website, certifying the lawful existence and professional standing of our translation firm.

Official or expert translations provide additional assurance, guarantee accuracy, and facilitate the recognition of documents in international and multilingual contexts. They are critical for the effectiveness and legality of numerous procedures and transactions.

In legal, administrative, and official matters, they are essential for several key reasons:

1) Legality and Validity In legal and administrative proceedings, it is often necessary to submit documents originating from different jurisdictions and written in various languages. For such documents to be accepted in official processes, they must be translated in a manner that ensures precision and fidelity to the original text. Certified translations fulfill this requirement by providing a legal guarantee that the translated content is an exact and complete reflection of the source document.

2) Reliability Expert translations are performed by certified translators who have demonstrated the competence and skill to translate accurately and professionally. This level of trust and reliability cannot be achieved with non-certified translations. In many instances, translation errors can lead to serious misunderstandings or decisions based on incorrect information.

3) Official Requirements Various government procedures—such as visa applications, naturalization, judicial proceedings, and patent filings—require submission of translated documents. Certified translations ensure that these documents are accepted by the relevant authorities.

4) Uniformity and Standardization Official translations help maintain a uniform standard in interpreting legal, medical, technical, and other critical documents. This is vital for consistency in cases involving multiple documents, diverse sources, and different languages.

5) Accountability Certified or expert translators are legally responsible for their work. If errors or issues arise from an incorrect translation, there is a clearly identified professional who may be held legally accountable.

6) Fraud Prevention Certification helps prevent fraud and manipulation of documents. By requiring a certified translator to prepare and attest to the translation, the likelihood of malicious alterations to the original content is significantly reduced.

An Expert Translator and an Expert Interpreter are both language professionals who specialize, respectively, in written translation and oral interpretation.

However, each focuses on a different mode of language communication:

Expert Translator

Written Documents: This professional specializes in translating written materials from one language into another.

Legal Contexts: Expert Translators are commonly engaged in legal settings where accurate, reliable translations of contracts, written testimonies, official records, and other legal documents are crucial.

Ensuring Accuracy: Their work is essential to preserve the legal meaning and exactness of documents when converted into another language.

Expert Interpreter

Oral Communication: In contrast to an Expert Translator, an Expert Interpreter specializes in interpreting spoken language.

Simultaneous vs. Consecutive: This may involve simultaneous interpretation—translating spoken words in real-time during events such as conferences—or consecutive interpretation—waiting for the speaker to pause before conveying the message in another language.

Real-Time Necessity: Expert Interpreters are indispensable in settings like court hearings, negotiations, and any scenario requiring immediate oral communication among speakers of different languages.

Both Expert Translators and Expert Interpreters are critical in legal proceedings, international business, and diplomatic contexts, ensuring that communication between parties who speak different languages remains precise and effective. While both are language specialists, their skills apply to distinct communication channels—written versus oral—which is key to understanding their separate roles.

Yes. Companies involved in cross-border transactions must be aware of regulatory requirements to ensure compliance with local tax laws. One such requirement is the sworn (expert) translation of foreign corporate documents into Spanish to facilitate proper transaction processes before the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT).

1) Foundational Elements

Any documents submitted to the SAT (Mexican Tax Administration Service) that are in a language other than Spanish must be translated by an Expert Translator (Perito Traductor), pursuant to Article 123 of the Federal Tax Code. Examples include powers of attorney, articles of incorporation, invoices, and contracts.

2) Spanish-Language Records

Article 29 of the Federal Tax Code requires taxpayers to maintain accounting records and documentation in Spanish. This underlines the importance of translating foreign corporate documents into Spanish to remain in compliance with Mexican tax regulations.

3) Document Submission

Article 123 of the Federal Tax Code outlines the procedures for submitting documents to tax authorities, emphasizing the necessity of providing accurate and complete information within specified deadlines.

Sworn translation of foreign corporate documents enhances effective communication with tax authorities by ensuring clarity and precision in compliance procedures.

4) Verification and Audit

Mexican tax authorities, represented by the SAT, hold verification powers to assess the accuracy and authenticity of submitted documents through audits, inspections, and verification processes. Translating foreign documents allows for seamless review and validation, mitigating the risk of discrepancies and noncompliance.

5) Financial Transparency

Transparency is fundamental to tax compliance. Translating financial statements, contracts, invoices, and other corporate documents into Spanish strengthens clarity and accessibility for tax authorities. It promotes transparency by offering a clear understanding of transactions, sources of income, and obligations, thereby preserving the integrity of financial reporting.

6) Effective Communication

Effective communication with tax authorities is vital when addressing inquiries, audits, or disputes. Translating foreign corporate documents eliminates language barriers, enabling smooth interaction and cooperation with Mexican tax authorities. It demonstrates a commitment to compliance and collaboration, fostering a positive relationship with regulatory bodies.

Sworn translation of foreign corporate documents is a cornerstone of domestic tax compliance.

By adhering to the requirements of Mexican tax legislation, companies ensure transparency and integrity in their financial practices.

Incorporating sworn translation as an integral component of tax compliance underscores corporate responsibility, inspires trust, and ensures sustainable growth in the Mexican market.

An apostille is an official certification attached to a document to confirm its origin and validity, thereby facilitating its recognition in other countries. It is used under the 1961 Hague Convention, which sets out a simplified process for validating documents issued in one country so they may be accepted in another signatory country to the Convention.

In essence, an apostille verifies the authenticity of the signature on a document, the signatory’s authority or legal capacity (for instance, confirming that it was signed by the appropriate public official), and the document’s official status.

This procedure eliminates the need for a lengthy chain of legalizations through various embassies and consulates, simplifying the process to ensure that documents possess international validity.

A wide range of official documents may be apostilled, provided they are issued by a competent authority in a country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Some of the most common examples include:

1. Vital Records: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, etc.

2. Notarial Instruments: Notarial deeds, powers of attorney, contracts, and similar documents.

3. Judicial Documents: Court judgments, criminal background checks, wills, etc.

4. Academic Documents: Elementary, secondary, higher education, or postgraduate diplomas; official transcripts; degrees; certificates of study; professional licenses, etc.

5. Administrative Records: Social Security (IMSS) certificates, proof of residency, official permits or licenses (such as driver’s licenses), bank statements, etc.

6. Commercial/Business Records: Certificates of business registration/incorporation, contracts, invoices, and similar documents.

7. Identity Documents.

It is important to note that an apostille does not validate the content of the document. Instead, it certifies the authenticity of the signature, the signer’s official capacity, and the relevant seal. Furthermore, not all documents are eligible for an apostille; for instance, private documents that were not issued by a competent authority generally cannot be apostilled.

Apostilles are processed through the "Dirección General de Legalizaciones at Pabellón Ciudadano", located at Calle Washington 2000, Colonia Obrera, C.P. 64010, in the Municipality of Monterrey.

[Access the official webpage for the process here]

The "Legalizaciones" office is located on the first floor of the building, to the right upon entry:

1. Stand in line to present your documents and inform the staff of the destination country for your application.

2. The staff will review your documents and assign you a reference number allowing you to proceed to one of the Treasury counters to pay the required fee.

3. After making the payment, return to the same line from Step 1 and submit your documents for apostille, showing your payment receipt.

4. If you arrive early, it is likely that your documents will be ready either that same day or the next business day. BE SURE to present the original payment receipt when collecting your documents. It is mandatory.

According to the official fee schedule published on the State’s online services portal, the following charges apply:

• Vital records certificates: $113.00 MXN

• Single status certificates / affidavits (for international marriages): $113.00 MXN

• High School Certificate: $226.00 MXN

• Professional Examination Records, Degree Completion Statements, Internship Letters, and Higher Education Certificates: $1,188.00 MXN

• Professional Degrees: $1,754.00 MXN

• Technical Degrees (Mid-Level): $566.00 MXN

• Exhortos: $453.00 MXN

• Notarial Documents, Registry Records, Deeds, Powers of Attorney, etc.: $566.00 MXN

• Certificates of no criminal history: $113.00 MXN