Power of Attorney Translation: For Travel, Property & Legal Matters
Whether your child is travelling abroad, you are buying property in Germany, or you need someone to represent you at an embassy: a certified translation of your Vollmacht ensures your authorisation is recognised. We deliver your translation in 3 to 6 business days, accepted by German notaries, land registries, and authorities worldwide.
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, a translator officially sworn in by a German court. German notaries, the Grundbuchamt (land registry), and authorities abroad often require this certification before they accept a power of attorney in a foreign language. A certified translation confirms the content is accurate and complete, giving your document legal standing in official proceedings.
Your path to a certified translation
Send your document
Upload or email a clear scan or photo of your power of attorney. The original stays with you.
Receive your quote
Within a few hours, you receive a personal quote with a transparent fixed price. No hidden fees.
Confirm with one click
Your quote email includes a confirmation button. One click, and your sworn translator starts immediately.
Receive your translation
You get the certified translation as a PDF by email, plus the original with stamp and signature by post. Delivery takes 3 to 6 business days.
Pay at your convenience
The invoice arrives with your translation. You have 14 days to pay by bank transfer.
When do I need a power of attorney translation?
A Vollmacht authorises someone to act on your behalf. When that document crosses language boundaries, authorities, notaries, and border officials often require a certified translation. Here are the most common scenarios:
Child travelling with one parent or relatives
Many countries and airlines require written consent from the non-travelling parent. A bilingual or translated consent letter, sometimes notarised, prevents delays at the airport or border. The German federal service portal confirms that destination countries may require notarisation and translation.
- Custody documents
- Child's birth certificate
- Parents' ID copies
Buying property in Germany from abroad
If you cannot appear at the German notary appointment, you grant a notarised power of attorney so a representative can sign the Kaufvertrag (purchase contract). Foreign-language POAs typically need a certified translation for the notary and Grundbuchamt.
- Purchase contract (Kaufvertrag)
- Land registry extract (Grundbuchauszug)
- ID or passport
Selling German property while living abroad
Owners residing outside Germany often authorise a person in Germany via notarised power of attorney to handle the sale. When the POA is issued abroad, German notaries and the land registry insist on a certified translation and, if applicable, an apostille.
- Land registry extract (Grundbuchauszug)
- Purchase contract (Kaufvertrag)
- Energy certificate (Energieausweis)
Representation at embassies or authorities
When you cannot personally appear at a German embassy, consulate, or foreign authority for passport matters, citizenship procedures, or inheritance cases, you issue a power of attorney to a representative. Consulates often demand specific wording, notarisation, and a translation. The German Federal Foreign Office provides guidance on consular requirements.
- Passport or ID
- Birth or marriage certificate
- Inheritance documents
What we need from you
To translate your power of attorney quickly and accurately, please provide:
- A clear scan or photo of your power of attorney (all pages)
- Target language (e.g., German to English or English to German)
- Purpose and destination country (helps us use the correct terminology)
- Any notarial stamps or signatures should be visible
Good to know
You do not need to send the original document. A clear scan is sufficient for the translation. However, for notarisation, apostille, or your appointment with authorities, you will need to bring both the original power of attorney and the certified translation.
Notarisation, apostille, translation: what comes when?
Many users are confused about the sequence of steps. Here is the typical order:
- Draft and sign your power of attorney
- Notarise (if required by the receiving authority or for property transactions)
- Obtain an apostille (if using abroad in a Hague Convention country)
- Certified translation of the final, authenticated document
- Bring originals and translation to your appointment
The Bundesnotarkammer (Federal Chamber of Notaries) provides guidance on recognition of foreign notarised documents in Germany. Always confirm requirements with the specific authority or notary before your deadline.
Individual price based on your document
Your questions, our answers
Most power of attorney translations are delivered within 3 to 6 business days. Short documents like travel consent letters may be ready faster. If you also need notarisation or an apostille, plan extra time for those separate steps.
A clear scan or photo is sufficient for the translation. The certified translation will note that it was made from a copy. For your appointment with authorities or the notary, bring both the original power of attorney and the certified translation.
Certified translations by sworn translators registered at German courts are broadly accepted in Germany and across the EU. For use outside the EU, check with the destination authority whether an apostille or legalisation of the underlying notarised POA is required in addition to the translation.
You pay after you receive your translation. The invoice arrives together with the certified PDF by email. You have 14 days to pay by bank transfer. Your translation is in your hands before you pay anything.
Requirements vary by destination country and airline. Some insist on written consent by the non-travelling parent, sometimes notarised. The German federal service portal recommends checking with the destination country's embassy. A bilingual consent letter with clear travel dates and a certified translation provides maximum clarity at the border.
Often needed together
English translations
Most power of attorney translations are German to English or English to German. See our English language page for details.
Spanish translations
For property transactions or travel to Spain and Latin America, powers of attorney often need Spanish translation.
Turkish translations
For family matters or property between Germany and Türkiye, bilingual powers of attorney and consent documents are frequently required.
Related documents such as purchase contracts (Kaufvertrag), land registry extracts (Grundbuchauszug), and custody documents (Sorgerechtsunterlagen) are often needed alongside your power of attorney. We can translate your entire document set.
Your power of attorney, translated and certified
Upload your document and receive your personal quote within minutes. Your translation arrives first. Then you pay.
Get a quote in 5 minutes``` --- ## SECTION 3: PAIRED PAGE UPDATE ``` PAIRED_PAGE_URL: /dokumente/vollmacht/ REPLACE_LANGUAGE_SWITCHER_WITH: