Sworn Polish Translation in Lviv

What a sworn translation is and how it differs from a Ukrainian notarized one

A sworn translation (tłumaczenie przysięgłe) is produced and certified with the personal seal of a sworn translator listed in the register of Poland's Ministry of Justice. In Poland that seal and signature carry the same legal weight as a notary's certification in Ukraine, so no separate notarization of the translation is required.

A Ukrainian notarized translation is a different procedure: a qualified translator translates the document, and a Ukrainian notary certifies the authenticity of the translator's signature. This format is intended mainly for use inside Ukraine or for countries that do not require the sworn format.

The key distinction is simple: a sworn translation is needed when a document is submitted to a Polish authority that requires tłumaczenie przysięgłe. Polish bodies usually do not accept a Ukrainian notarized translation in those cases - the exact requirement depends on the specific institution, so we recommend confirming it in advance.

When Poland requires a sworn translation vs when a notarized one is accepted

A sworn translation is usually required when a document goes directly to a Polish state body or institution: an urząd (city office, voivodeship office for foreigners), a university during recognition (nostrification) and admission, a court, ZUS or a Polish employer, and in residence card (karta pobytu) or citizenship procedures.

A Ukrainian notarized translation may be sufficient when the document is used within Ukraine or when a specific institution explicitly allows that format. For official Polish procedures, however, you should plan around a sworn translation.

We deliberately state requirements conservatively: the final decision on an acceptable format rests with the institution you submit to. Before ordering, tell us where and why you are submitting the document, and we will advise which translation and certification make sense in your case, without unnecessary costs.

Which documents most often need a sworn Polish translation

In Lviv and the region, demand is highest for sworn translation of education documents: a diploma with supplement (for recognition and admission), a school certificate, an academic transcript. Personal documents are also common: birth, marriage, divorce and name-change certificates.

A major separate category is the criminal-record certificate (for employment, a residence card, citizenship), along with employment and pension documents for ZUS and Polish employers: work record book, length-of-service and income certificates.

For court and official matters, sworn translations cover court judgments, powers of attorney, notarial deeds, medical and other documents. Bulky documents - such as a diploma with a long supplement or a court judgment - are quoted individually; send a scan and we will calculate the exact price and turnaround.

How Etalon delivers sworn translation to Lviv remotely

Etalon has no physical office in Lviv - and we say so plainly. All work is done online, so location does not matter: the service is equally available in Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Uzhhorod and Chernivtsi. We serve all of Western Ukraine precisely because we work online and ship the result by Nova Poshta - not because we belong to any consular district.

You send clear scans, our own sworn translators do the translation, and we return the finished documents by Nova Poshta to any branch or parcel locker in your city. If an electronic sworn translation with a qualified signature is enough for your submission, it can be delivered even faster.

When needed, we obtain the apostille for Ukrainian documents by submitting them to the relevant ministries in Kyiv (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on your behalf. No personal trip to Kyiv or to the ministries is required from you.

Lviv, the consular district and where to actually submit documents

It is important not to confuse two different things here - Etalon's service area and the Polish consular district. The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Lviv covers only three oblasts: Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia. The Ternopil and Chernivtsi oblasts do not belong to the Lviv district - they are served by the Consulate General of Poland in Vinnytsia (since 2009).

For sworn translation this makes no difference: we translate remotely for clients from any of these oblasts. The consular district matters when you submit documents directly to a consulate (for example, for a visa or Karta Polaka) - in that case you apply to the consulate that serves your place of residence.

If you are unsure which consulate you fall under, or which translation format your institution requires, write to us - we will give you guidance, but the final requirements should always be confirmed with the institution or consulate itself.

Turnaround, delivery and prices

The standard turnaround for sworn translation of typical documents is 1-2 business days from receipt of clear scans. For urgent orders, expedited completion is possible with a +30-50% surcharge; bulky documents are scheduled individually.

We ship finished documents by Nova Poshta to Lviv and to any branch in Ukraine. If an electronic sworn translation with a qualified signature is enough for your submission, it is even faster, with no waiting for shipping.

Prices are shown "from" and depend on the document type and volume. The apostille is charged separately, plus the state fee. We quote the exact price and timing as soon as you send a scan.

How we work

1. 1Send your scansSend photos or scans of your documents via Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp and tell us where in Poland you are submitting them.
2. 2Get a quoteWe determine the required format (sworn / notarized / apostille) and quote the exact price and turnaround.
3. 3We translateOur own sworn translators do the work; if needed, we obtain the apostille at the Kyiv ministries on your behalf.
4. 4We deliverWe ship the finished documents to Lviv by Nova Poshta, or send an electronic sworn translation with signature.

Prices

• Sworn Polish translation (per 1,125 chars) 1 standard page = 1,125 charactersfrom UAH 390
• Personal documents (certificates) depending on volumefrom UAH 450
• Criminal-record certificate for residence card, work, citizenshipfrom UAH 450
• Diploma with supplement priced by volume - send a scanindividual quote
• Notarized translation when a sworn one is not requiredfrom UAH 200
• Apostille + state fee; submitted to Kyiv ministriesfrom UAH 500

All prices are shown "from" and depend on the document type, volume and urgency. Urgent completion +30-50%. The apostille is charged separately plus the state fee. We confirm the exact price after reviewing your scans.

FAQ