Court Judgment Translation for Germany: Divorce, Custody & Cross-Border Cases
Need your foreign divorce decree or custody order accepted by German authorities? A certified translation from a vereidigter Übersetzer (sworn translator) ensures your court judgment is recognised by the Standesamt, Familiengericht, or Ausländerbehörde. We handle complex legal terminology so you can move forward with remarriage, custody arrangements, or visa applications.
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner.
Why does a court judgment need certified translation?
German authorities require translations made by a öffentlich bestellter und allgemein beeidigter Übersetzer, a translator officially sworn in by a German regional court. This applies whether you are submitting a divorce decree from Brazil, a custody order from the UK, or a maintenance judgment from Turkey. Without this certification, authorities like the Standesamt (registry office) or Familiengericht (family court) will reject your documents, and you will need to start over. As confirmed by Anerkennung in Deutschland, only translations from sworn translators are accepted for official procedures.
Your path to a certified court judgment translation
Send your document
Upload or email a clear scan or photo of your court judgment. Include all pages, stamps, and seals. The original stays safely with you.
Receive your quote
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner. No hidden costs, no surprises.
Confirm with one click
Your quote includes a confirmation button. One click, and our sworn translator begins work immediately. No account needed.
Receive your translation
You get your certified translation as a PDF by email, followed by the stamped original by post. Delivery usually takes 3 to 6 working days; it may vary depending on the language and scope. Your personal delivery time is stated in your quote.
Pay at your convenience
Your translation arrives first. Only then do you pay, with a 14-day payment period by bank transfer.
When you need a certified translation of a court judgment
International divorces, cross-border custody disputes, and foreign money judgments all require proper documentation for German authorities. Here are the most common situations where expats and binational families need certified translations of judicial rulings:
Remarriage after foreign divorce
The Standesamt requires recognition of your foreign divorce before you can marry in Germany. You will need the divorce decree translated, often with an Apostille.
Cross-border custody and visitation
Parents in different countries need certified translations of custody orders (Sorgerechtsbeschluss) and visitation arrangements (Umgangsregelung) for the Familiengericht or Jugendamt.
Enforcement of foreign money judgments
To enforce a foreign judgment for child support, maintenance, or damages in Germany, you need a certified translation for the Exequaturverfahren (enforcement proceedings) at the German court.
- Statement of claim
- Enforcement titles
- Payment orders
Visa, residence, and citizenship procedures
The Ausländerbehörde or Einbürgerungsbehörde may require proof of divorce or custody status with certified translations for visa extensions, family reunification, or naturalisation applications.
What we need from you
To translate your court judgment quickly and accurately, please provide:
- A clear scan or photo of the complete judgment, including all pages
- All stamps, seals, and signatures must be visible
- If you have an Apostille or legalisation, include it in your scan
- Tell us the target language and intended use (helps us choose correct terminology)
Important: Apostille and certified copies
Many authorities require an Apostille on your judgment to confirm its authenticity. Check with your target authority first. If you need both an Apostille and a translation, obtain the Apostille first, then send us the complete document. This prevents having to redo the translation later. The German Foreign Office explains when Apostille or legalisation is required.
Have a deadline approaching?
Individual price based on your document
Common questions about court judgment translations
Most court judgment translations are completed in 3 to 6 business days. The exact time depends on the length of your document, the language combination, and how complex the legal terminology is. If you have a court or authority deadline, mention it when requesting your quote so we can advise on timing.
A clear scan or photo is sufficient for us to prepare your certified translation. However, some German authorities require that the translation be linked to an officially certified copy (amtlich beglaubigte Kopie) of your judgment. Check with your target authority beforehand. If needed, obtain the certified copy first, then send us a scan showing all stamps and seals.
Yes. Our translations are made by öffentlich bestellte und allgemein beeidigte Übersetzer (officially sworn translators) registered with German courts. This means they are accepted by the Standesamt, Familiengericht, Ausländerbehörde, and all other German authorities. For use in other countries, acceptance depends on local rules.
You pay after you receive your translation. We send the certified translation to you first, by email as a PDF and then the stamped original by post. The invoice comes with your translation, and you have 14 days to pay by bank transfer. No prepayment required.
It depends on your situation. For court judgments from EU countries, a certified translation is often sufficient for German authorities. For judgments from non-EU countries, an Apostille or Legalisation is frequently required to confirm authenticity. As explained by the German Foreign Office, always check with the receiving authority (court, Standesamt, or Ausländerbehörde) before ordering.
Often needed together
Divorce Decree
Required for remarriage in Germany or updating your marital status with authorities.
Custody Documents
Essential for cross-border custody arrangements and visitation rights enforcement.
Statement of Claim
Needed when enforcing foreign money judgments or continuing litigation in Germany.
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Ready to move forward with your court judgment?
Your certified translation arrives first. Hold it in your hands, then pay.
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