Argentina operates one of Latin America's most structured sworn translator systems, established under Ley 20.305 enacted in 1973. Unlike many countries where any bilingual professional can produce a certified translation, Argentina restricts legally valid translations for domestic official use to traductores públicos — university-trained professionals who have completed a rigorous four-to-five-year Traductorado Público program at an accredited Argentine university. Major programs include those at the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Universidad del Museo Social Argentino (UMSA), and Instituto de Enseñanza Superior en Lenguas Vivas.
Upon graduation, the traductor público must register (matricularse) with the relevant Colegio de Traductores Públicos. In the City of Buenos Aires, this is the CTPCBA (Colegio de Traductores Públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires), which maintains the professional registry, certifies signatures, and enforces the Código de Ética Profesional. Each Argentine province has its own Colegio with jurisdiction over translators practicing in that region. Only a traductor público matriculado may affix their professional seal and signature to a translation intended for submission to Argentine government agencies, courts, notaries, or public entities.
For international use — such as submitting Argentine documents to USCIS, IRCC, UK Visas and Immigration, or credential evaluation agencies — a DoVisa certified translation with a signed certification statement is accepted. This distinction is important: while Argentine domestic authorities require a traducción pública, international authorities accept certified translations meeting their own standards. DoVisa bridges both needs — providing certified translations for international use and coordinating with matriculated traductores públicos when a traducción pública is specifically required.
