beëdigde

Beëdigde is a Dutch term meaning a person who has sworn an oath before an authorized authority, thereby receiving a legally recognized status to perform certain duties or practice a profession. As an adjective or noun, beëgd(e) describes someone who has taken an official oath and is bound by its obligations, such as confidentiality, impartiality, and loyalty to the applicable rules or constitution.

Beëdiging, the act of taking the oath, is typically part of entering a public or professional role. The oath is administered by a competent authority—often a court, a notary, or another designated body—and its exact content varies by jurisdiction and field. The procedure is designed to ensure that the individual understands and will adhere to professional duties, ethical standards, and legal requirements.

Common examples of beëndigde professionals include sworn translators (beëdigde vertalers/tolken) who can produce legally valid translations of official documents, notaries (notarissen) who perform acts with legal effect, and other officials and professionals who require heightened trust, such as certain court or civil service roles. In some contexts, judges, prosecutors, or other high-trust positions may also involve beëdigde status or similar oaths.

The term is primarily used in Dutch-speaking regions, notably the Netherlands and Flanders. While the specifics of who must be sworn and how the oath is administered differ across jurisdictions, the core idea remains: beëdigde denotes a person who has committed to uphold duties and legal obligations by means of a formal oath.

See also: sworn translator, notary, oath of office, civil servant, beëdiging.