In today’s globalising world, many British companies may need to open an office or be the holder of a bank account in Spain.
There are several documents to be submitted to the Spanish Authorities to open an office or bank account in Spain. The company will also need to submit the official translations into Spanish of the Deed of Incorporation, Articles and Memorandum of Association. These documents are very different from their equivalents in Spanish. Furthermore, there are also important differences between the types of companies in England, Wales and Spain.
The official translation of a Certificate of Good Standing may also be necessary. There is not a similar document in Spain therefore the official translator will have to produce an accurate translation of a document without an exact equivalent in the Spanish legal system.
In some cases, the official translation of the notarial certificate, confirming the relevant particulars of the company, may be sufficient. This notarial certificate will confirm the name of the directors of the company, for example. The equivalence between the roles of the officers in English and Spanish is not straightforward and therefore these differences must be taken into account to produce an accurate translation.
The Registro Mercantil, the equivalent of Companies House in Spain, will require the English documents affixed with the apostille and their official translations.
An apostille is an official form attached to documents to be used in countries which are signatories of the Hague Convention.
Only official translators are authorised to certify official translations. In Spain, official translators are appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. An official translation certified by an official translator does not need to bear the apostille.