Consulate appointment tomorrow morning, urgent contract to sign, blocked administrative file... Good news: a certified translation in 24h is possible in Belgium. Here is how it works, what it really costs and the guarantees you are entitled to expect.
24h express translation: myth or reality?
A 24h express translation is very much real, but it is not available with every provider and it does not apply to all document types. Here is what you need to know before placing an order.
At TranslateBE, our express service is available Monday to Saturday, including public holidays for urgent requests. It covers the vast majority of common documents: civil status certificates, diplomas, criminal records, contracts of 1 to 10 pages and standard visa files.
What "24h delivery" means
- Order before noon - delivery the following day before 5 pm
- Order between noon and 6 pm - delivery the day after tomorrow before noon
- Document delivered by email as a certified PDF + paper version on request
- Real-time tracking from your client dashboard
Which documents are eligible?
Documents for which 24h express is available
- Civil status certificates (birth, marriage, divorce, death): 1 to 2 pages
- Diplomas and transcripts: up to 5 pages
- Criminal record
- Foreign driving licence
- Standard visa and residence files
- Simple contracts and NDAs: up to 8-10 pages
- Short powers of attorney
- Standard medical documents (test results, prescriptions)
Documents requiring a minimum turnaround of 48 to 72h
- Complete naturalisation files (numerous documents)
- Complex legal contracts (+15 pages)
- Full articles of association
- Extensive medical records (complete care files)
- Translations into rare languages (translator availability)
Your document is urgent?
Order now before noon for delivery tomorrow. Certified sworn translators, 70+ languages.
How much does an express translation cost in Belgium?
The express service involves a surcharge compared to the standard rate, due to the priority given to your file and the immediate availability of a sworn translator. At TranslateBE, this surcharge is 30 to 40%: transparent and quoted upfront.
| Document | Standard rate (3-5 days) | Express rate 24h |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | 35 - 55 EUR | 50 - 80 EUR |
| Diploma + transcript | 100 - 160 EUR | 140 - 225 EUR |
| Visa file (3-5 docs) | 150 - 250 EUR | 210 - 350 EUR |
| Contract (4-6 pages) | 180 - 300 EUR | 250 - 420 EUR |
Net prices, no surprises. See our full price list.
What you should require from an express service
Not all providers advertising "express translation" offer the same guarantees. Here are the points to check before confirming your order:
1. A human sworn translator (no machine translation)
Some unscrupulous providers use DeepL or Google Translate for urgent orders and then affix a stamp without having genuinely translated the text. Verify that your translator is registered in the official Belgian register of sworn translators.
2. An explicit deadline guarantee
The deadline must be stated in writing in your order confirmation, with a precise delivery date and time. At TranslateBE, we guarantee the deadline or you receive a full refund.
3. The ability to track your order
A professional service provides online access to track the progress of your translation in real time. You should always know whether your document is being translated, under review or ready for delivery.
4. Confidentiality and data security
Urgency should not compromise caution. Your identity documents and official certificates are sensitive data. Verify that the provider stores your data on EU servers and deletes them after delivery.
TranslateBE · Agence certifiée
24h delivery guaranteed or refunded
TranslateBE guarantees compliance with express deadlines. If we fail to deliver on time, you receive a full refund.
How to place an urgent order
The process is designed to be as fast as possible:
- Complete our express form (2 minutes), specifying the desired delivery date
- Upload your document (scan, photo or PDF: you do not need the physical original to get started)
- Receive a quote with deadline confirmation in under 30 minutes
- Confirm and pay by secure bank transfer: immediate processing
- Receive your translation by email at the agreed time, with the certified PDF
Frequently asked questions about express translation
Is the quality the same for express as for the standard turnaround?
Yes, absolutely. Our sworn translators apply the same translation and proofreading process regardless of urgency. The only difference is the priority given to your file in the queue.
What happens if my document is rejected by the authority?
This almost never happens if your document is translated by a certified sworn translator. If a Belgian or foreign authority were to reject our translation on a formal ground, we carry out the necessary corrections free of charge and without delay.
Can several documents be translated express at the same time?
Yes. If you have multiple documents to translate (for example a complete visa file with birth certificate + diploma + criminal record), we assign several translators to meet the deadline. One quote, one order.
Do you have translators available at weekends?
Yes, our express service operates Monday to Saturday. For weekends and public holidays, please contact us directly by phone or chat to confirm availability for your specific language.
Your urgent translation in 24h: place your order now
Available Monday to Saturday. Certified sworn translators, 70+ languages. Deadline guaranteed or refunded.