Official translation

Germany has a system of ‘sworn translators’. If any legal documents and reports that have been issued outside the Federal Republic of Germany are to be submitted for example to German authorities or courts, then it is necessary for these documents to be translated by a sworn translator.

A translator is sworn in at the local court in the Federal Country where she is permanently resident, but her certified translations are valid nationwide. The courts require the translator to prove that she has relevant qualifications before she is sworn in.

The translation certificate consists of:

• The set certifying paragraph (a sentence at the end of the translation) whereby the sworn translator confirms that the translation is an accurate and complete reflection of the original. The certification also details the form in which the document was presented (hard copy, PDF file, attested copy, original document, etc.);
• the translator’s seal indicating the language(s) for which the translator is officially sworn; and
• the date and the signature of the translator.

It is therefore necessary for the certified translations to be forwarded by post. However, in the case of urgent orders, it is possible to provide an advance electronic copy of the translation with a scan of the last page containing the signature and seal.

Certified translations provided by a sworn translator are recognized by all authorities throughout Germany.