Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about sworn interpreters, certified legal interpreters and Dutch notarial deeds.
Ready to plan your appointment? Explore our notary interpreting services and interpreter fees, or request an interpreter.
Under Dutch law (Article 42 of the Wet op het notarisambt / Notarial Profession Act), a notary must ensure that all parties fully understand the contents of a deed. If one of the parties does not speak sufficient Dutch, the presence of a sworn interpreter is legally mandatory. The interpreter must also co-sign the notarial deed.
The Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters (Rbtv) recognizes two levels: B2 and C1. C1 interpreters have completed advanced specialized training and have demonstrable experience in specific domains such as notarial law. B2 interpreters are general-purpose and typically lack the specialized legal knowledge required for complex notarial deeds. The KNB explicitly recommends using C1-level interpreters for notarial work. All NotarisTolk Pro interpreters are C1-certified.
No. For official notarial deeds, the interpreter must be independent and registered in the Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). Family members or friends are not legally permitted to act as interpreters in notarial proceedings, as independence and professional certification are required to protect all parties.
We recommend booking at least 14–21 working days in advance to ensure optimal availability. However, NotarisTolk Pro specializes in fast matching and can often accommodate urgent requests within 24–48 hours, depending on language and location.
We provide sworn C1-level interpreters in 13 languages: English, Turkish, German, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Farsi (Persian), Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Hungarian, and Serbian. English and Turkish are served in-house; other languages are served by our vetted network of C1-certified interpreters.
Our primary service area is the Randstad region of the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer, Leidschendam, Pijnacker, and Lansingerland. We can also serve other regions in the Netherlands upon request — please mention this in your booking.
Our interpreters specialize in all types of Dutch notarial deeds: real estate deeds (leveringsakte, hypotheekakte), corporate deeds (oprichtingsakte, share transfers), wills and testaments, marriage and cohabitation contracts (huwelijkse voorwaarden, samenlevingscontract), and division of assets (akte van verdeling).
Rbtv stands for Register beëdigde tolken en vertalers — the Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators. It is maintained by the Dutch government (Bureau Wbtv) and certifies interpreters who have met strict requirements for education, competence, and integrity. Only Rbtv-registered interpreters may legally serve as sworn interpreters in official proceedings, including notarial deeds.
