Certified translations
What is acertified translation?
A certified translation is one that a court-sworn translator confirms as accurate and complete with a stamp, signature and certification statement. Only then do German authorities, courts and universities accept documents in a foreign language. Sworn, official or authorised translation means the same thing.
- Translators sworn in by German courts
- Accepted throughout Germany
- PDF and paper copy by post
- Price before you order
Features
Three featuresevery office checks.
Authorities check three things. If one is missing, it is a plain translation, and the office will not accept it.
- Certification statement
- At the end, the translator adds a short statement. With place and date, it confirms that the translation is accurate and complete.
- Same layout as the original
- Stamps, seals, signatures and handwritten notes are described, not left out. Nothing is added, nothing is smoothed over.
- Stamp and signature
- Both come from a translator sworn in by a German court. The stamp shows name and language, and offices can look it up in the translator database of the German judiciary.
Occasions
When do you needa certified translation?
As soon as a German office asks for a document in another language. For your own use, a plain translation is enough.
Authorities and courts
Registry office, immigration office, naturalisation, court. They only accept foreign-language documents with a certified translation.
For authoritiesStudy and work
Universities, uni-assist and recognition bodies require certificates and diplomas with a stamp.
Translate a certificateFamily and civil status
Birth, marriage, divorce, death. The most common documents of all, usually for the registry office.
Birth certificateEveryday life and moving
Driving licence, police clearance certificate, proof of address for a move, a job or a bank.
For private customers
Differences
Certified, specialist translationor apostille?
Three terms that often get mixed up. Each one means a different service at a different price.
Certified or specialist translation?
Contracts, medical reports and technical texts need a translator with subject knowledge, but no stamp. We only certify what an authority requires.
Specialist translationsCertification or apostille?
An apostille is an official stamp on the original. It confirms the original is genuine for use abroad, and a translation does not replace it. Some countries also require superlegalisation, where a court confirms the signature of the translator.
Consulates and embassiesSworn, certified or authorised?
Three words for the same thing. Which one applies depends on the German state. In every case, a court has checked the translator and sworn them in.
Go to the glossaryHow it works
Order a certified translationonline.
Three steps, no appointment, no trip to an office. The certification is the same as in person.
Upload
Upload a photo or scan, choose language and delivery date. The price appears straight away. No account, no waiting for a quote.
Translation and certification
A sworn translator for your language translates the document and adds statement, stamp and signature.
Receive
The PDF arrives by email. If you need it, the signed paper copy follows by post, even straight to the authority.
Documents
Which documentdo you need?
65 document types at a fixed price, certification included. Each page shows price and delivery time for your case.
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- University certificate
- Diploma
- Driving licence
- Abitur (secondary school diploma)
- Divorce decree
- Employment reference
Throughout Germany
The certification is valid nationwide. You order online, wherever your office is.
All cities
FAQ
Your questions,short answers.
Still have questions? See all FAQs or write to us.
The price is fixed per document, not per page. It depends on document type, language and delivery time, and you see it before you order. Certification and PDF are included, express and postal delivery cost extra.
Yes. You upload a photo or scan, the translator works from it, and you get the PDF by email. Only if your office wants paper does the signed copy follow by post.
No. A clear photo or scan is enough. The statement records that the translation was made from a copy. Almost every office accepts this. If in doubt, ask them.
Many offices accept the PDF, especially for online applications. If yours wants the stamped original, we send the signed paper copy by post.
Standard is two to three working days. With express, the translation is ready the next working day, for a surcharge.
In Germany, yes. The certification of a sworn translator is valid nationwide at authorities, courts and universities, whichever German state swore them in. For use abroad you often also need an apostille or superlegalisation.
Names from other scripts, such as Cyrillic or Arabic, are transliterated to ISO standards, letter by letter. Registry offices require this. The spelling in your passport may differ, and the statement then gives it as well. When you order, tell us how your name appears in your passport.
The certification does not expire. Some authorities do require the document itself to be no older than six months. Check this with your office beforehand.
Still have questions? See all FAQs or write to us.