How to Become a Sworn Translator in Sri Lanka 2026

To become a sworn translator in Sri Lanka, pass the Ministry of Justice Sworn Translator Examination in a Sinhala-English, Sinhala-Tamil or Tamil-English pair (Rs. 1,000 per pair in 2026), then take an oath before your District Judge and register with the Ministry. Sworn translators charge per document, typically about LKR 1,300 to 1,900 for common Sinhala-English certificates.

A sworn translation carries the translator's signature, seal and registration number, and is accepted by courts, embassies and government offices. For pay in the wider field, see our translator salary guide.

Steps to become a sworn translator

1. 1

   Master at least two of Sinhala, Tamil and English

   Sworn translators certify that a translation of an official document is true and accurate, so precise command of both languages is essential. The Ministry of Justice examination for local languages covers three language pairs.

   • Sinhala and English
   • Sinhala and Tamil
   • Tamil and English
2. 2

   Learn legal and official terminology

   Most sworn work is birth, marriage and death certificates, school and university documents, deeds, court papers and police reports. Learning the fixed terms used in these documents, and how they are laid out, is the best exam preparation.

   • Practise on civil registration certificates and academic transcripts
   • Build a glossary of court, land and civil registration terms
   • Study the past papers published by the Ministry of Justice
3. 3

   Apply for the Ministry of Justice examination

   The Ministry of Justice publishes a notice for the Sworn Translator Examination (Local Languages) on its website. For the 2026 exam, applications closed on 31 August 2026 and the fee was Rs. 1,000 for each language pair. The notice, as summarised by exam tutors, asks for Sri Lankan citizenship and a minimum age of 17.

   • Read the current notice on moj.gov.lk before applying
   • Pay Rs. 1,000 per language pair (2026)
   • Apply before the closing date: the exam is usually held near the end of the year
4. 4

   Pass the written examination

   Each paper lasts one and a half hours and carries 100 marks. You translate passages between the two languages of your chosen pair. The Ministry publishes results and accepts re-correction requests.

   • 1.5 hours, 100 marks per language pair
   • Translation in both directions of the pair
   • Results published on the Ministry of Justice website
5. 5

   Take the oath before a District Judge

   Successful candidates are appointed only after taking and subscribing an oath, or making an affirmation, before the District Judge of their area. You then send a certified copy of the letter of appointment, with the oath or affirmation, to the Ministry of Justice.

   • Oath or affirmation before the District Court Judge
   • Send the certified appointment letter and oath to the Ministry
   • The Ministry adds you to its list of sworn translators with a registration number
6. 6

   Prepare your seal and start practising

   The Ministry issues guidelines on the official rubber stamp sworn translators must use, and keeps a public search tool and list of sworn translators. Most sworn translators work independently, near courts or Divisional Secretariats, or for translation agencies.

   • Make your official seal following Ministry of Justice guidelines
   • Keep your entry on the Ministry list up to date
   • Build work through lawyers, agencies, migrants and students going abroad

What sworn translators charge

There is no official fee schedule for sworn translations; prices are set by each translator. These are published prices from one online sworn translation service, as an indication of the market.

Sworn translator earnings

SalaryLK editorial estimates of monthly income. Most sworn translators are self-employed, so income depends on how many documents they handle.

See also freelance translator salaries and the translation industry overview. Many sworn translators work with law firms; read how to become a lawyer in Sri Lanka if you want to move into legal practice, or compare legal industry salaries.

Tips to build a sworn translation practice

• Qualify in more than one language pair to take more types of work.
• Offer fast turnaround: visa and university applicants often need documents within days.
• Work with lawyers, notaries and education agents who send regular documents.
• Keep careful records of every translation you certify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Sworn Translator (statutory appointments) - Ministry of Justice
2. Sworn translator exam past papers - Ministry of Justice
3. How to apply for the sworn translator exam (2026 notice summary) - Pramuka Law School
4. Sworn translation pricing - SwornTranslators.lk