What is the Official Document Recognition Map?

An interactive map showing each country's official requirements for recognising foreign documents, including when certified translations, apostilles, or legalisation are needed.

What is an apostille?

An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

When do I need a certified translation?

A certified translation is typically required when submitting foreign language documents to government agencies, courts, or official institutions. Requirements vary by country - use the map to check specific country requirements.

What's the difference between legalisation and an apostille?

Apostille is used between countries that are part of the Hague Convention (simplified process), while legalisation is the traditional process used between countries not part of the convention, often requiring multiple steps through foreign ministries and embassies.

Translation Requirements for Mexico

Mexico 🇲🇽

Requirement: Sworn

Requirements summary

Apostille required	Required for foreign public documents before translation
Translation type required	Sworn translation by authorised expert translator
Who can translate	Officially appointed perito traductor (expert translator)
Official translator registry	Federal Judicial Council – List of Court-Recognised Experts
Accepted languages	Spanish
Legalisation authority	Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE)
Official source	Government of Mexico – Apostille and Legalisation

Important: If a foreign document is intended for use in Mexico, it must be apostilled in its country of origin before being translated by an authorised perito traductor.

Find an authorised translator in Mexico

Who can translate

Only officially appointed expert translators known as peritos traductores are authorised to produce sworn translations in Mexico.

These translators are appointed either by the Federal Judicial Council (Consejo de la Judicatura Federal) or by a State Supreme Court (Tribunal Superior de Justicia).

What makes a translation official

A sworn translation must include:

A declaration confirming the translation is accurate and complete
The translator’s official stamp (seal)
The translator’s signature
Reference to the appointing judicial authority

Many authorities require the translator to initial or sign each page of the translation.

Documents from abroad

Foreign public documents intended for submission in Mexico must first be apostilled in the country of origin.

Both the original document and its apostille must then be translated into Spanish by an authorised perito traductor.

Legal basis

Court-recognised translators in Mexico are appointed under federal or state judicial authority. The legalisation and apostille process is administered by the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention.

Official Document Recognition Map - Translation, Apostille & Legalisation Rules by Country

Legalisation and translation requirements in Mexico