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Certified Translations – Germany

What is...

...a certified translation?

For translation of official documents, a special authorisation is required in accordance with the legal provisions of the respective federal state for submission to authorities and in international legal relations. Certification of the document, i.e., verification of the correction and completeness of the translation, is effected by means of the stamp of a sworn translator.

Examples of official documents include:

Reports or certificates
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce decrees
Adoption papers
Death certificates
Driving licences
Court documents
Contracts

PAEN Language Services is authorised to prepare translations of these documents in all languages.

...a sworn translator?

A translator who, in accordance with the respective conditions in the individual federal states and with proof of the appropriate qualification as translator, was publicly appointed and/or sworn in before the court and thus is permitted to prepare translations of documents and, depending on the federal state, to interpret in dealings with authorities and before the court.

Many of the employees of PAEN Language Services are sworn translators.

...a state-certified translator?

It is possible to acquire the title of “state-certified” translator or “state-certified interpreter” in connection with an examination by a state examination office, i.e., without conclusion of academic training as a translator or interpreter. A state examination is particularly necessary in those languages for which there is no corresponding course of study in Germany. The translators who work for PAEN Language Services have either a university degree in translation/linguistics or have successfully passed a special examination.

...an apostille?

An apostille is a higher-level certification of the signature of the sworn translator for translations that are required for some foreign authorities. The institution that issued the document in question furnishes information about the appropriate place for getting an apostille.

You can find an overview of frequently asked questions on the use of German documents abroad and foreign documents in Germany on the pages of the Federal Foreign Office.

PAEN Language Service will check whether you need an apostille for the country in question, and if so, will get apostilles for your translations.

Requirements

Hard copies of the original documents need to be presented, either in person or by post to our mailing address in Berlin, Germany.

It is not necessary to leave your documents with us once they have been sighted and scanned.

Turnaround time

It normally takes 5 business days to get your documents translated. You will receive a signed and stamped translation for submission to the relevant authority – delivery as hard copy available where required.

Costs

Translation charge €40.00 per document
For 3 documents or more, a 20% rebate applies
An additional €10.00 for delivery of hard copies to a specified address within Australia/ New Zealand, €15.00 for delivery of hard copies to Europe.
Payment to be received in advance.

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