Certified Translation Online: Accepted by German Authorities
Need a certified translation for your visa, university application, or citizenship process in Germany? You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner. No appointments, no waiting rooms, no bureaucracy in person.
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner.
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. This is different from the US or UK, where a notary can certify almost any translation. German authorities, from the Ausländerbehörde to universities, specifically require translations by sworn translators listed in the official Justizdolmetscher- und -übersetzerdatenbank. A regular "signed translation" or notarised document from another country will typically not be accepted. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, German embassies cannot certify the accuracy of translations themselves. That is why you need a sworn translator.
What makes a translation "certified" in Germany?
A beglaubigte Übersetzung is a translation created by a publicly appointed and sworn translator (öffentlich bestellter und vereidigter Übersetzer). The translator attaches a certification formula, their official stamp, and their signature, confirming the translation is complete and accurate.
This is the standard required by German government offices, courts, universities, and most official institutions. Whether you are applying for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde, submitting documents to the Standesamt for marriage, or sending your diploma to uni-assist for university admission, the requirement is the same: a certified translation by a sworn translator recognised in Germany.
Good to know
You can order a certified translation completely online. A clear scan or photo of your document is enough to get started. You keep your original, and we send you the certified translation with stamp and signature by post.
Your path to a certified translation
Send your document
Take a clear photo or scan of your document and upload it through our form, or email it to us. A legible copy is all we need.
Receive your quote
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Confirm with one click
Your quote email includes a confirmation button. One click, and our sworn translator starts working on your translation immediately.
Receive your translation
You get the certified translation as a PDF by email first. 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
The invoice arrives with your translation. You have 14 days to pay by bank transfer. No prepayment required.
When do you need a certified translation online?
Most people searching for certified translations online are facing a deadline: a visa appointment, a university enrollment date, a citizenship application. The common thread is an official German authority asking for documents in German, translated by a sworn translator. Here are the most frequent situations:
Visa and residence permit
The Ausländerbehörde or German embassy requires certified translations of your civil status documents and police clearance certificates for visa or residence permit applications.
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Police clearance certificate
German citizenship
For naturalisation (Einbürgerung), the Einbürgerungsbehörde or BAMF requires certified German translations of foreign birth certificates, marriage documents, and educational qualifications.
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate or divorce decree
- Language and education certificates
University admission
German universities and uni-assist require certified translations of foreign school leaving certificates, transcripts, and degrees. Students abroad often order online and have translations sent directly.
- School leaving certificate
- Transcript of records
- Degree certificate
Professional recognition
To have your foreign qualifications recognised in Germany via Anerkennung in Deutschland, you need certified translations of your diplomas, transcripts, and professional licences.
- Diploma
- Transcript of records
- Professional licence or certificate
What we need from you
Ordering a certified translation online is straightforward. Here is what you should have ready:
- A clear scan or photo of the document (both sides if applicable)
- The target language for your translation (usually German or English)
- The purpose or authority requesting the translation (helps us use correct terminology)
You keep your original
You do not need to send us your original document. A legible scan or smartphone photo is sufficient. The sworn translator notes in the certification that the translation was made from a copy. This is standard practice and accepted by German authorities.
Have a deadline coming up?
Individual price based on your document
Will my online certified translation be accepted?
This is the question that causes the most stress: you order online, but will the official at the Ausländerbehörde actually accept it?
The answer: yes, as long as the translation is done by a translator who is officially sworn in Germany (vereidigter Übersetzer) and the certified translation is delivered as a physical document with stamp and signature. Our translations meet these requirements. They are accepted by:
- Ausländerbehörde (immigration office)
- Standesamt (civil registry office)
- Einbürgerungsbehörde (citizenship office)
- German courts
- Universities and uni-assist
- Professional recognition bodies
Check requirements in advance
Some authorities have specific requirements, such as additional authentication (Apostille) on the original document or on the translator's certification for use abroad. If you are unsure, contact the requesting authority first, or ask us. We advise you free of charge.
Do you also need an Apostille?
An Apostille is an international authentication that confirms a document is genuine. Whether you need one depends on the country requesting your document:
- For countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an Apostille on your original document (and sometimes on the translator's certification) may be required
- For non-member countries, full legalisation through the embassy or consulate is often necessary
- Many German authorities do not require an Apostille for foreign documents used within Germany
The certified translation itself does not replace an Apostille. These are two different steps. If you are unsure whether you need authentication, check with the authority requesting your documents before ordering. We can advise you on common requirements.
Your questions answered
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. You receive the PDF by email first, and the original with stamp and signature follows by post. If your deadline is tight, mention it when requesting your quote. We cannot promise faster delivery, but we do our best to accommodate urgent requests. Always factor in postal time if your authority requires the physical original.
A clear scan or photo is enough for us to create your certified translation. You keep your original. The sworn translator notes in the certification that the translation was made from a copy. This is accepted by German authorities. However, the authority may separately require you to submit a certified copy of the original document along with the translation. Always check what your specific authority needs.
Yes, as long as the translation is done by a sworn translator recognised in Germany and delivered as a physical document with certification formula, stamp, and signature. Our translators are officially sworn in (vereidigt) and listed in the official German translator database. Universities, immigration offices, citizenship authorities, and courts all accept our translations.
You pay after you have received your translation. The invoice comes with the translation, and you have 14 days to pay by bank transfer. No prepayment, no credit card required. You see your translation before you pay.
In Germany, only translations by court-sworn translators (vereidigte Übersetzer) are considered certified. In the US, a notary public can certify almost any translation, but this does not meet German requirements. A US notarised translation will typically be rejected by German authorities, universities, and courts. If you need a document accepted in Germany, you need a translation by a German-sworn translator.
Often needed together
English certified translation
For visa, immigration, and job applications in English-speaking countries. One of our most requested language pairs.
Spanish certified translation
For Spain and Latin America, where Apostille and legalisation questions are common alongside translation.
Ukrainian to German translation
High demand for migration, family reunification, and education. Often ordered online from abroad.
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