In the Netherlands, the courts of law, the police, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the Public Prosecution Service are obliged to use sworn interpreters and translators.
Registration and taking the oath
In order to become a sworn interpreter or translator in the Netherlands, you must be registered in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (RBTV, in Dutch). This register is compiled by the Bureau of Sworn Interpreters and Translators. Registration is subject to quality and integrity requirements as well as additional periodic training. You also need a certificate of conduct (Verklaring omtrent het gedrag, VOG). With your certificate of registration, you subsequently submit a request to be sworn to the district court for your place of residence. After you have taken the oath, the court will send you an instrument of administration of the oath. You must send a copy of this instrument to the Office for Registered Interpreters and Translators (Bureau Wet Beëdigde Tolken en Vertalers, WBTV, in Dutch).
Foreign sworn interpreters and translators
Foreigners who want to register as sworn interpreter or translator in the Netherlands also need a Dutch certificate of conduct. If you have lived in the Netherlands for less than five years, you must also submit an integrity statement from your country of origin. In addition, you must at least hold a certificate which shows that you possess the required knowledge and skills. Recognition of diplomas awarded in another EU country can be obtained from Nuffic (the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education).
Online registration procedure via Message Box
You can also submit requests to be registered in the RBTV online via Message Box. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.
