Legal Translation in Lebanon: Sworn Translators and Apostille Process

A sworn translator (مترجم محلَّف) in Lebanon is appointed by the Ministry of Justice and registered at the courts. Only their stamp on a translation has legal force. Regular translators — however good — cannot produce documents accepted by embassies or courts abroad.

When You Need a Sworn Translation

• University applications abroad — diplomas, transcripts.
• Embassy/visa applications — civil records, criminal records, marriage certificates.
• Court filings — contracts, judgments, depositions.
• Business — articles of incorporation, board resolutions, audited financials.

The Full Workflow for Diaspora-Bound Documents

• 1. Get the original document (or certified copy from the issuing authority).
• 2. Sworn translator translates and stamps.
• 3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalization (single stamp).
• 4. Embassy of destination country legalization (their stamp).
• Lebanon is not party to the Hague Apostille Convention — so the full embassy chain is needed for most destinations.

Pricing (USD, per page)

• Standard text (CV, simple contract): $15-30.
• Technical/legal (court ruling, audit report): $30-60.
• Notary stamps and embassy legalization: $20-100 per document on top.
• Rush (48h): typically +50%.

How to Choose a Translator

• Verify the stamp shows Ministry of Justice registration number.
• Specialization matters — a legal translator for contracts, medical translator for clinical reports.
• Sample turnaround on small jobs before trusting a long urgent translation.
• Receipt with full firm info for embassy submission.