Moving to Germany is an exciting adventure. But as an expat, settling into a new country comes with a significant amount of paperwork. Many of these documents need official translations before authorities and institutions will accept them. This is where certified translation services come in. This blog walks you through the process, key facts, and what you need to know about certified translation services in Germany.
Certified translations are produced by professional translators who are authorized to provide translations of excellent quality, ensuring they meet the strict standards required for acceptance by authorities.
Why do professionals in Germany need certified translation services?
Certified translation applies when you submit official documents that are in a foreign language, especially when these documents are needed for legal purposes. Certified translation involves having a professional translator, who has been certified by a competent body, translate a document. The translated document is accompanied by a certification statement confirming that it is accurate and true to the original.
As an expat in Germany, you might need certified translation services for a variety of documents, such as:
● Birth certificates
● Marriage certificates
● Educational degrees and transcripts
● Driver’s licenses
● Work contracts
Certified documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic certificates typically require certified translations for submission to authorities. Such certified documents are often required for submission to authorities for legal purposes.
Certified translations are required by courts, government agencies, universities, and authorities for formal processes like visas, marriages, adoptions, and educational applications. Common scenarios requiring a certified translation include immigration, education, legal proceedings, business and finance, and vital records. You generally need a certified translation when you submit foreign-language documents to a government agency, court, or educational institution to ensure legal validity. Such translations are necessary to meet certification standards and to ensure acceptance by the relevant authorities.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is an official translation of a document produced by a sworn translator and provided with a certification note. The form of a certified translation includes a certification note, an official stamp or seal, and the translator’s signature, which together confirm the translation’s authenticity and legal validity. Certified translations in Germany are performed by court-sworn certified translators who are approved by government agencies and are law-trained to translate and certify documents. A certified translation is verified by a stamp and a signature, making it valid with public offices, authorities, courts, or other official institutions. The validity of a certified translation is usually unlimited as long as the original document remains unchanged. Certified translations are characterized by official confirmation in the form of a stamp and a signature. The terms ‘official’ and ‘certified’ translations are often used synonymously, but certified translations usually require a stamp and signature to be considered valid. It is important to distinguish between a certified translation and a notarised translation: a notarised translation involves authentication by a notary, not the translation itself.
For instance, if you need a certified translation of a birth certificate in German, it means the translation must be carried out by an official, certified translator who confirms the accuracy of the translation.
Types of certified translations you may need
Below is a list of common certified documents that need to be translated:
| Document Type | Purpose | Example Case |
| Birth Certificate | Proof of identity, citizenship, family relations | When applying for a visa or residency |
| Marriage Certificate | Proof of marital status | When registering a marriage in Germany |
| Educational Degrees and Transcripts | Verification of qualifications (certified translations of academic diplomas are often required for studies or job applications abroad) | Applying for jobs or higher education |
| Driver’s License | Legal permission to drive in Germany | Exchanging a foreign driver’s license |
| Criminal Record Certificate | Verification of criminal history or lack thereof | When applying for certain jobs or permits |
| Work Contract | Proof of employment status and conditions | Applying for a work visa or residence permit |
How to find the best certified translation services near you
Finding the best certified translation services nearby is a common concern for expats. Fortunately, Germany has a well-regulated market for certified translators. You can find certified German translation services through an online search or via government websites. It is important to choose a qualified translator or translation agency, as certified translations must be completed by authorised professionals to ensure legal validity and compliance with official requirements.
Most translators in Germany offer online services, so you can access certified translation services from the comfort of your home. You can conveniently place an order online by uploading your documents, selecting the required services, and completing payment through the provider’s website.
A quick online search will bring up a range of local providers to choose from. Below is a short list of things to consider when choosing a certified translator or translation agency:
● Qualifications: Check if the court has sworn in and certified the translator.
● Professional translators: Make sure the translation is done by professional translators to guarantee the legal validity of your certified translation.
● Know-how: Look for translators with experience working on legal and official documents.
● Language Match: Be sure the translator can work with the languages you need, like certified English to German translation.
● Feedback: Read reviews from other customers to get a sense of the service quality.
● Ordering process: Look for a simple ordering process, such as uploading your documents, selecting your service, and making payment online.
The Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ) says Germany has more than 7,500 certified translators. This association can also help you find certified translation services.
Common challenges expats face with certified translations
Getting a certified translation in Germany may look easy, but expats often run into a few hurdles:
- Cost: Certified translations are more expensive than standard translations and typically cost more to produce. Based on the document and size, €20 to €100 per page is typical.
- Time: Certified translations take longer to produce compared to regular translations, and can take anywhere from a few days to a week, so it is well worth planning ahead for urgent applications.
- Regional Differences: In some situations, a certified translation in one German state may not be accepted in another. It’s worth checking the specific requirements of the local authority.
Here’s a quick table summarizing these challenges:
| Challenge | Description | Solution |
| Cost | Certified translations are often pricier and typically more expensive than regular translations | Get multiple quotes and use online services |
| Time | Translations can take several days to complete and usually take longer than standard translations | Start the process early to avoid delays |
| Regional Differences | Local authorities may have varying requirements | Confirm with authorities beforehand |
Standard delivery for certified translations typically takes three to five working days, but express delivery options can reduce this to as little as 24 hours or two to three business days, depending on the service provider. Once your physical translation is ready for dispatch, you will receive a tracking link by email to track the shipment. The translation process is completed once the certified translation is ready and dispatched to the customer.
Certified English to German translations: a common requirement
If you’re from a country where English is spoken or where documents come in English, you’ll need a certified English-to-German translation for official needs. Official documents in their original language must be translated into German for legal purposes.
Let’s say you want to apply for a visa or register your family in Germany. In that case, you might need to translate documents such as your birth certificate from the original language, English, to German with a certified translation.
A 2020 survey by Insider showed that more than 60% of expats said they had to submit certified translations when they applied for residence permits or other official documents in Germany. English-speaking expats often need English to German certified translations.
Can you get a certified translation online?
Good news! Linguidoor certified translation services now allow you to order online. The ordering process is simple: you send us your documents, select the translation services you need, and complete payment. This convenience means you can easily place an order from anywhere.
You will receive your official certified translation by email or as a physical translation sent by regular mail. The translation process is completed once the certified translation is ready and dispatched to you.
Some websites focus on particular paperwork, such as providing official translations of birth records. These sites make sure you receive quick and trustworthy translations without needing to go to the translator’s workplace yourself.
In Germany, online official translation services still need to meet the same legal rules as face-to-face services. The translator must take an oath in court and put the required certification stamps on the translated papers.
How much do certified translations cost?
The cost of certified translations can vary widely depending on the type of document, its length, and the urgency of the translation. Certified documents, which are official and legal documents requiring certification by sworn translators, typically take more time and expertise to produce. This makes certified translations more expensive and time-consuming compared to regular translations. Below is an approximate cost table for different types of certified translations:
| Document Type | Average Cost (per page) |
| Birth Certificate | €20 – €50 |
| Marriage Certificate | €25 – €60 |
| Educational Degrees and Transcripts | €30 – €100 |
| Driver’s License | €20 – €40 |
| Work Contract | €50 – €100 |
As a general rule, shorter documents like birth or marriage certificates are cheaper to translate, while longer documents such as work contracts or educational transcripts will cost more.
Legal requirements for certified translations in Germany
When it comes to official documents in Germany, strict legal requirements govern the process of certified translations. Only sworn translators—professionals who have been officially appointed by a German court—are authorized to produce certified translations for legal and official purposes. These translators have demonstrated their expertise in both the source language and the target language, and have taken an oath to deliver accurate and complete translations.
To ensure legal validity, the process begins with submitting your original document to a sworn translator or a reputable translation agency that works with public sworn translators. The translator will then create a complete translation of your document, ensuring every detail is faithfully rendered from the source language to the target language. Once finished, the translation is stamped and signed by the translator, and includes a certification note confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.
Certified translations are required for a wide range of official purposes in Germany, such as submitting documents to public authorities, courts, universities, or other public institutions. The translation must be in German, unless a foreign language is specifically requested by the relevant authority. This legal requirement ensures that all official documents are clearly understood and accepted by German authorities.
Ordering a certified translation online is straightforward. You can upload a photo or scan of your original document to the translation agency’s website, select your preferred payment method, and the agency will assign your request to a sworn translator. The translator will then produce an accurate and complete translation, which you can receive by email or post. If needed, you can also request a certified copy of the translation, which will be stamped and signed for submission to public institutions.
The cost of a certified translation depends on several factors, including the number of pages, the language combinations involved, and the urgency of your request. Specialized documents, such as those with technical or legal content, may incur higher fees due to the expertise required.
By following these legal requirements and working with sworn translators or a trusted translation agency, you can be confident that your certified translations will meet the highest standards of accuracy and will be recognized by official authorities throughout Germany. This ensures your documents are ready for any official process, from university applications to legal proceedings, in just a few steps.
What expats are saying about certified translations
Expats in Germany frequently share their experiences with certified translators. Many report the importance of choosing the right translation service.
For example, John M, an expat from the UK, says:
“I had to get a certified translation of my birth certificate when applying for a residence permit. It was a bit more expensive than I expected, but it was accepted without any issues by the authorities, who only accept translations that meet certification standards.”
Another expat, Maria L from Spain, shares:
“I used an online service for my certified English translation. It was very convenient, and I didn’t have to leave my home. I received the document in a few days, and the excellent quality of the certified translation was impressive.”
Conclusion
Certified translations are an integral component of becoming a part of Germany as an expat. In Germany, a sworn translation is required for legal recognition of foreign documents, and only translators sworn in by the court are authorized to provide certified translations. Sworn translators are registered in official lists of the judicial authorities and must pass an examination to obtain their status. For any certified translation of a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or academic transcript, you must hire a certified translator sworn in and legally qualified. There are so many certified translation companies online that you can find the best for you.
Requirements for certified translations vary significantly by country, with some countries requiring a sworn translator officially appointed by the court. For example, German documents may require an apostille for use abroad, and similar procedures apply for French documents, especially when dealing with countries party to the Hague Convention.