Certified Translation of Your PhD Certificate for Germany
Whether you're starting a postdoc position, applying for your EU Blue Card, or seeking recognition of your foreign doctoral degree: German universities, employers, and authorities require a certified translation of your Promotionsurkunde by a sworn translator registered in Germany. We handle the bureaucracy so you can focus on your research.
Your personal quote by email within minutes
Why does it need to be certified?
In Germany, official translations must be done by a vereidigter Übersetzer or beeidigter Übersetzer, a translator officially sworn in by a German regional court. This is the only type of translation that German universities, the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office), and recognition authorities will accept. Translations made by foreign notaries or non-sworn translators are regularly rejected, causing delays that can jeopardise job offers, visa appointments, or enrolment deadlines. A beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) includes the translator's official stamp, signature, and registration number, confirming that it is a complete and accurate translation of your original document.
Your PhD Certificate Translation in 5 Steps
Send your document
Upload a clear scan or photo of your PhD certificate. A photo from your phone is perfectly fine. You do not need to send the original.
Receive your quote
Within a few hours, you'll receive your personal quote by email. The price is fixed and transparent, with no hidden fees.
Confirm with one click
Your quote includes a confirmation button. One click starts the translation. No account needed, no paperwork.
Receive your translation
You'll get your certified translation as a PDF by email, and the original with stamp and signature arrives by post. Standard delivery: 3 to 6 business days.
Pay after delivery
Your translation arrives first. Only then do you pay. You have 14 days to transfer the amount by bank transfer.
When Do You Need a Certified Translation of Your PhD Certificate?
If your doctoral degree was awarded outside Germany and the certificate is not in German or English, you will almost certainly need a certified translation for any official use in Germany. Even if your certificate is in English, some authorities and procedures insist on a certified German translation. Here are the most common situations:
Academic employment at a German university
For positions as Postdoc, Juniorprofessor, or wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, HR departments require proof of your highest qualification. A certified translation of your PhD certificate, often alongside your previous degrees, is typically mandatory.
Visa or residence permit as a researcher
When applying for an EU Blue Card or researcher visa at the Ausländerbehörde, you must document your qualification level. A certified translation of your PhD certificate helps prove you meet the requirements for highly skilled worker residence titles.
- Employment contract
- Passport
Recognition of your foreign doctoral degree
For a Zeugnisbewertung (credential evaluation) through the Anabin database or the Anerkennung in Deutschland portal, certified translations of your degree documents are routinely required so the authority can assess equivalence.
- University transcript
- List of publications
Further academic qualifications or Habilitation
If you're enrolling for a second PhD, Habilitation, or other postgraduate programme in Germany, universities often request certified translations of all relevant certificates, including your existing PhD, if they are not in German or English.
- Previous university degrees
- Proof of language proficiency
What We Need From You
Getting your certified translation started is simple. Here's what to prepare:
- A clear scan or photo of your PhD certificate (Promotionsurkunde). The original is not required.
- The target language for your translation (German or English).
- The purpose of the translation (e.g. university application, visa, recognition). This helps us use the correct terminology.
- If your authority requires an apostille: please obtain the apostille first, then send us the document including the apostille. We translate everything together.
Good to know
Many people are unsure whether they need an apostille or legalisation for their PhD certificate. The answer depends on your country of origin and the specific German authority. If in doubt, ask the receiving institution before ordering. When an apostille is required, the correct sequence is: first apostille, then translation (including the apostille).
Is your PhD certificate already in English?
Many German universities, especially in STEM fields, accept certificates in English without a translation. However, this is not universal. The Ausländerbehörde, some state-level recognition authorities, and certain public sector employers may still require a certified German translation, even for English-language documents. The safest approach: ask your specific authority in writing what they accept. If you're unsure, a certified German translation is never wrong and can prevent frustrating delays.
Individual price based on your document
Your Questions Answered
Standard delivery is 3 to 6 business days. You'll receive your certified translation as a PDF by email, and the original with stamp and signature follows by post. If you have a tight deadline, let us know when requesting your quote. We cannot guarantee faster delivery, but we'll do our best to accommodate urgent requests.
A clear scan or photo of your PhD certificate is all we need. The sworn translator will attach a copy of your document to the certified translation and confirm its accuracy. For submission to authorities, you may need to present the original or a certified copy separately. Check with your receiving institution what they require alongside the translation.
Yes. Our translations are made by sworn translators (vereidigte Übersetzer) registered with German courts. This is the standard required by German universities, the Ausländerbehörde, and recognition authorities. If you ever have questions about acceptance, we're happy to help. Just get in touch.
You pay only after you receive your translation. The invoice arrives with the completed translation, and you have 14 days to transfer the amount by bank transfer. No prepayment, no credit card required.
It depends on the authority. Many universities accept English-language documents, especially for academic applications. However, some immigration offices, public sector employers, and recognition authorities insist on a certified German translation regardless. The safest approach is to ask your specific authority in writing. If you're unsure, a certified German translation will never cause problems and can save you from delays.
Often Needed Together
When applying for academic positions or recognition in Germany, your PhD certificate is rarely the only document required. These translations are frequently requested alongside it:
Diploma / Master's Degree Certificate
Most universities and employers require proof of all your higher education degrees, not just the doctorate.
University Transcript
A detailed record of courses and grades is often required for recognition procedures or academic applications.
Publication List / Scientific Articles
For some academic positions and applications, a translated list of publications or abstracts may be requested.
Ready to Get Your PhD Certificate Translated?
Upload your document, receive your quote, and hold your certified translation in your hands. Only then do you pay.
Get a quote in 5 minutes``` ### SECTION 3: PAIRED PAGE UPDATE ``` PAIRED_PAGE_URL: /dokumente/promotionsurkunde/ REPLACE_LANGUAGE_SWITCHER_WITH: