Certified Translations English ↔ German

Certified Translations English > German and German > English

You are getting married, had a baby, are looking to have your professional qualifications recognized in Germany, are applying for German citizenship, or planning to study at a German college or university?

Or you are moving to an English-speaking country, planning to study abroad or looking to have your marriage or the birth of your child recognized in an English-speaking country?

In these cases and many more you’ll usually need a certified translation of your documents (English to German or German to English).

Get a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’) of your documents:

1. Send me a scan or a picture of your documents.
2. I’ll quote you a price and let you know how long it will take (usually 1-5 business days, depending on the length of the document).
3. You let me know if I should go ahead.
4. In some cases, I have to physically see the original document or a certified copy. You can send them to me by post or come by my office. However, that’s usually not necessary – please see here for details.
5. I complete the translation, including my signature and official stamp, and send it to you via registered mail.
6. Lastly, I’ll send you the tracking number for the translation as well as the pdf copy and my invoice.

FAQ Certified Translations

What is a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’)?
Are certified translations accepted anywhere?
When do I need a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’)?
For which documents do I need a certified translation?
How much does a certified translation cost?
How long does a certified translation take?
Do I have to come by in person?
Can I send the translator a scan or do I have to send her the original or a certified copy by post?
What is the difference between ‘beglaubigte’, ‘bestätigte’, ‘bescheinigte’, and ‘qualifizierte Übersetzung’?

What is a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’)?

A certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’) is officially certified to be a true and correct translation of the original and bears the stamp and signature of a certified translator.

For any official process in Germany, you’ll need certified translations of your documents – e.g., if you are getting married, registering the birth of your child, applying for German citizenship, applying for the recognition of your professional qualifications in Germany, or if you are planning to study at a German college or university.

Only certified translators – such as myself – can issue certified translations in Germany. The office that you need the translation for will tell you that you need a ‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’ issued by an ‘öffentlich bestellter Übersetzer’, a ‘beeidigter Übersetzer’ or an ‘ermächtigter Übersetzer’. My official title is ‘Beeidigte und öffentlich bestellte Urkundenübersetzerin für die englische Sprache’.

Are certified translations accepted anywhere?

Certified translations I issue are accepted by any office and institution in Germany and the EU. They are also usually accepted by any office in English-speaking countries outside the EU requiring a ‘certified translation’ or a translation issued by a ‘certified’ or ‘sworn translator’.

If you are not sure about the requirements in your case, you can ask the office that you need the translations for. If you want, I can call them for you (no extra charge).

When do I need a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’)?

In Germany, you need a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’) whenever you have to provide official documents and these documents are not in German. For example, if you want to get married in Germany, the registry office (‘Standesamt’) will ask you for a certified translation of your birth certificate; if you are looking to have your professional qualifications recognized in Germany, the office in question (‘Anerkennungsstelle’, ‘Zulassungsstelle’, ‘Approbationsstelle’, etc.) will ask you for certified translations of your degree certificates, transcripts of record, and letters of recommendation.

You might also need a certified translation if you are getting married abroad, if got married in Germany and want to register your marriage in an English-speaking country, or if you are planning to study or work abroad.

To find out the specific requirements in your case, it’s best to ask the office that you need the translations for. If you prefer, I can call them for you to find out.

For which documents do I need a certified translation?

Common requests include:

• Personal certificates: Birth certificate, ID card, passport, marriage licence, marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, etc.
• Academic certificates and references: Secondary school certificate, transcript of records, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certificate, references/letters of recommendation, etc.
• Other official documents: Tax records, health insurance card, etc.

How much does a certified translation cost?

The price for a certified translation (‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’) depends on the length and the linguistic complexity of the document as well as the amount of formatting involved. I typically charge between €30 and €80 per page, including postage and VAT. If you live outside the EU, I might not have to charge you VAT, depending on where you live.

My quotes are based on the amount of work involved. That means that I charge a lower fee if you need several similar documents translating, e.g. several similar birth certificates or a transcript that includes several similar pages.

How long does a certified translation take?

I’ll send you the pdf copy typically within 1-5 working days, depending on the length and complexity of the document. You’ll receive the paper copy 1-2 working days later.

Let me know if you need your translation urgently – I can usually fit something in at short notice.

Do I have to come by in person?

No, it’s usually sufficient to send me a photo or a scan of your documents. However, some offices insist on translations that were based on the original document or a certified copy. If that’s the case, I have to physically see the actual documents. You can send them to me via registered mail (‘Einschreiben’) and I’ll return them to you with the translations, also via registered mail.
If you are unsure what the office requires, I’m happy to call them for you and find out (no extra charge).

Can I send the translator a scan or do I have to send her the original or a certified copy by post?

In the official certification underneath the translation, I have to state whether I saw the original document, a certified copy (‘beglaubigte Kopie’) or a simple copy (‘einfache Kopie’). Scans and photographs are classed as simple copies.

In most cases, it is sufficient to send me a scan or picture of your documents. However, some offices insist on translations that were based on the original document or a certified copy. This is usually the case if your applying for the recognition of your professional qualifications. That means that I have to physically see the actual documents, either the original or a certified copy (‘beglaubigte Kopie’). You can send them to me via registered mail (‘Einschreiben’) and I’ll return them to you with the translations, also via registered mail. If you live nearby, you can also come by my office.

To find out about the specific requirements in your case, ask the office that you need the translations for. If you prefer, I can ask them for you.

What is the difference between ‘beglaubigte’, ‘bestätigte’, ‘bescheinigte’, and ‘qualifizierte Übersetzung’?

In most parts of Germany, a certified translation is officially called ‘bestätigte Übersetzung’ or ‘bescheinigte Übersetzung’, but most people call it ‘beglaubigte Übersetzung’. These terms all refer to the same thing: A translation certified to be correct by a licensed translator.

By contrast, there is no set definition of the term ‘qualifizierte Übersetzung’. If you are required to provide a ‘qualifizierte Übersetzung’, it’s best to ask the office in question what exactly they mean by that. If you prefer, I’m happy to call them for you.