Notary interpreter English

No, it's a legal requirement in the Netherlands that you have a certified interpreter present. And the jargon involved in the transfer of a property can be a bit more complicated than you might think 😉. Also, it's not just about the language but also about knowing how the Dutch system works.

I have to translate everything that is being said, even though you understand Dutch well. Some people are annoyed when they hear their names, the date, and their address being read aloud twice. But that's just part of the process.

The notary's office can directly contact me to see whether I'm available, but the buyer(s) or seller(s) (the party I'm interpreting for can also contact me directly to take care of it. Sometimes interpreting agencies are involved but then you pay for their intermediary services as well, which isn't needed when you directly work with me.

No, I only interpret between English and Dutch. Of course I can put you in touch with professional interpreters that speak other languages such as German or Spanish.

I live in Leusden, near Amersfoort, so I prefer to work within Utrecht and its surroundings. If you picture a triangle between Lelystad, Woerden/Utrecht and Barneveld/Ede, that's about it. In case I decide it's a bit too far away for me, I'm still happy to set you up with another English interpreter in a different part of the country.

In case it's only the transfer deed (you are the seller or don't need a mortgage) it'll take about 20 to 30 minutes. For both the transfer and the mortgage deed it takes about an hour. I have to repeat everything the notary says, after all.

I try to be early for our appointment and will be waiting in the notary's waiting room so I can get to know the buyer(s) and seller(s). The notary picks us up and we'll sit down for the transfer. I usually sit in the middle or next to the party I'm interpreting for. I interpret consecutively, that is, I repeat in brief instances what the notary has said after he/she has finished speaking. Sometimes I also take notes. I also have the concepts of the deeds in front of me with my personal notes so I can read along with the notary. The deed of transfer always comes first. Everyone signs it, including me, and the keys are handed over to the buyer(s). The sellers leave the room. In case I'm interpreting for the sellers, I also leave so the notary can finish the appointment in Dutch. In case I'm interpreting for the buyers, we wait until the sellers have left and move on to the mortgage deed. The mortgage deed, among other things, mentions the rights the bank has in case you don't pay your mortgage for a long time and don't want to coperate with them. This might sound a bit negative and sometimes scares buyers new to the Dutch system, but it's mostly a formality so the bank is covered in the worst-case scenarios. Don't worry too much about it! After signing the mortgage deed, that I'll also sign, it's time to go and we'll say goodbye.

In case you have a question about the deeds themselves you need to approach the notary of course. I get to read the concept deeds beforehand so I can come prepared. The notary also has to put in a small paragraph about me because I'm present as an interpreter.

€300 ex. VAT. This includes travel costs and my preparation time. This is my general fee for one or two deeds. Cancellation fees can also apply to late cancellations.

Please e-mail me. You can reach me here: info@bridgetstranslations.nl