Table of Contents: Portuguese documents
♦ Why you need the certified Portuguese–German translation
♦ Important notes on the translation of your Portuguese documents
♦ Translate Portuguese documents: In 3 steps – officially recognized & at a guaranteed fixed price
♦ FAQ: Frequently asked questions about certified translations from Portuguese
Why you need the certified Portuguese–German translation
Portuguese civil status documents for the registry office and family matters
For marriage, the registration of a child, or other family matters at the German registry office, you need the certified translation of your Portuguese civil status documents. These include the birth certificate (Certidão de Nascimento) and the marriage certificate (Certidão de Casamento).
Since Portugal and Brazil are members of the Hague Convention, the document (issued, for example, by the Conservatória) must usually be provided with an apostille. The translation by a translator sworn in Germany is always required.
Portuguese documents for residence permits and naturalization
For procedures at the immigration authorities, the visa process, or German naturalization, the certified translation of your Portuguese documents is of central importance. This concerns the certificate of good conduct (Certificado de Registo Criminal) and registration certificates.
To ensure recognition for the residence permit or the BAMF, the translation must be carried out by a sworn translator. Make sure that the original certificate, depending on the country of issue, is provided with the necessary apostille contracted.
Recognition of Portuguese certificates and diplomas
For the recognition of your qualifications acquired in Portugal, Brazil, or other Portuguese-speaking countries at a German university or for professional purposes, you need the certified translation of your Portuguese certificates and diplomas. Important documents include the high school diploma (Certificado de Habilitações) or the university degree (Diploma).
The correct transfer of your Portuguese educational qualifications is crucial for the review by German testing centers (e.g., ANABIN). Our sworn translators guarantee the precise translation of the grading systems and compliance with the requirements for official recognition.
Portuguese documents for the judiciary and legal transactions
For legal transactions in Germany, notarial certifications, or court proceedings, the certified translation of the corresponding Portuguese documents is required. This applies in particular to court judgments, powers of attorney (Procuração), and certificates of inheritance.
Documents issued by a Portuguese Tribunal (court) or a Brazilian Cartório (notary's office) require translation by a translator sworn in Germany to ensure full legal certainty before the German judiciary. An apostille on the certificate is usually mandatory in this case.
Portuguese pension and social security records
To assert your working and insurance periods acquired in the Portuguese-speaking world with the German Pension Insurance (DRV), you need a certified translation of your Portuguese pension and social security records. These records are essential for the calculation of your German pension entitlements.
Common documents include certificates from the Portuguese Segurança Social or the Brazilian INSS. A professional, officially recognized translation is necessary to guarantee the seamless recognition of your claims at the German social welfare office or the DRV.
Translation of Portuguese contracts and company documents
For international business relations, the establishment of a branch, or submission to the German commercial register, certified translations of your Portuguese contracts and company documents are required. These include articles of association and current extracts from the Registo Nacional de Pessoas Colectivas (Portugal).
Documents from the Portuguese or Brazilian commercial register must be translated into German with legal certainty. Our sworn translators guarantee the correct and officially recognized translation of these sensitive business documents, often also requiring an apostille.
Why a certified translation with an official stamp?
A certified translation is a binding and official document for submission to national and international authorities. Your certified document bears a certification note, an official round stamp, and the signature of the state-certified translator. With this note, stamp, and signature, the completeness and accuracy of your translated document are confirmed. The translator is legally liable for this accuracy. The round stamp contains the translator’s name, language combinations, and the designation of the court before which the translator was sworn in.
Only sworn and certified translators, such as those working with dito, are authorized to produce certified translations. Like court interpreters, they are bound by confidentiality obligations (§189 para. 4 GVG) and by the duty to carry out translations fully and diligently. During the swearing-in process, the state authority examines the translator’s qualifications and legal expertise. The title “translator” itself is not protected in Germany. However, for certified translations, official authorization as a sworn, publicly appointed, or certified translator is required.
dito Beglaubigungen uses the translation management software OTM® for quality assurance in accordance with ISO 9001 and DIN EN 15038. This ensures the continuous improvement of the formal and linguistic quality of our translations and guarantees fast response times, adherence to deadlines, and data security for optimal customer satisfaction.
Important notes on the translation of your Portuguese documents
The correct transliteration of names and places
The certified translation of documents from Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal, etc.) is generally straightforward due to the Latin script. Nevertheless, the correct transfer of names and place names is crucial. To avoid problems at the registry office or the immigration authorities, the spelling in the certified translation must exactly match that in your passport or other German identification documents. Our sworn Portuguese translators ensure this consistency.
Completeness of the translation (stamps, notes, marginalia)
German authorities require a complete transfer. Portuguese documents (e.g., the Brazilian Certidão de Nascimento) often contain stamps, signatures, and sometimes handwritten notes from the Cartórios (notaries/civil registries). All of this information, including marginal notes and official seals, must be included in the certified translation. Incomplete translations lead to rejection.
The role of the sworn translator
For the official recognition of your Portuguese documents (e.g., for the recognition of a Brazilian or Portuguese degree) in Germany, a certified translation is mandatory. This may only be prepared by a Portuguese translator sworn in Germany, who provides the translation with their official seal impression and certification mark. Only this confirmation guarantees the legal validity of the translation.
Translation of abbreviations and names of authorities
Portuguese documents use specific abbreviations (e.g., CPF) and authority designations, which differ depending on the country of origin (Brazil, Portugal). Our expertise includes the correct transfer of titles of institutions such as the Ministério das Relações Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil) or the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais (Central Registry Office, Portugal) into German. This is important so that the origin and issuer of the Portuguese document are immediately clear to German recipients.
Special case: Old Portuguese handwriting and dialects
Modern Portuguese documents are generally machine-generated. In the case of very old certificates (e.g., church records, colonial registers), however, old Portuguese handwriting or historical spellings can pose a challenge. Our sworn translators master the linguistic peculiarities and have the expertise to translate even such special cases of Portuguese documents precisely and with legal certainty.
Apostille or legalization of Portuguese documents
Portugal and Brazil are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, your Portuguese documents (from these countries) generally require an apostille issued by the competent authorities for use in Germany. The certified translation is submitted together with the apostille, as the apostille confirms the authenticity of the original document. Always clarify this with the requesting German authority (e.g., registry office).
Translating Portuguese documents: In 3 steps – officially recognized & at a guaranteed fixed price
Your 3-step process: Upload, creation of the certified translation, shipping
Upload your documents without obligation: Simply upload the Portuguese document (e.g., a Portuguese birth certificate, a Certidão de Nascimento or a Diploma (graduation certificate)) via our online form. You will receive immediate confirmation and your free fixed-price offer within a few hours. We only need a digital copy (photo or scan) of your documents for the translation.
Creation of the certified translation by sworn translators: As soon as you accept the offer, our Portuguese translator sworn in Germany will begin the work. They will prepare the complete and correct translation and provide it with their certification mark, stamp and signature. The certified translation is thus recognizednationwide and by all authorities in Germany.
Shipping of the certified originals: After completion, we will send you the certified translation in the original by post. Delivery usually takes only a few business days. Your documents will reach you safely and quickly on their way to the immigration authorities, the registry office or the recognition office.
Fixed price and express delivery
We place great value on complete cost transparency, so that you know exactly from the start what costs will be incurred for the certified translation of your Portuguese document.
Fixed-price guarantee: You will always receive a binding fixed price from us for the translation of your documents, based on the length and format of the document. There are no hidden fees.
Free preliminary check: The examination of your document and the preparation of the offer are, of course, free of charge.
Regular processing time: Standard delivery takes place within a few business days by post. The certified translation is always nationwide and officially recognized.
Express delivery (Only by prior arrangement): Should you require the certified translation Portuguese–German at very short notice, we offer express processing. Since the availability of our sworn translators for urgent orders is limited, this service is only possible after prior consultation and availability check. Please contact us directly with your preferred deadline for this.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about certified translations from Portuguese
Are certified translations Portuguese–German recognized everywhere in Germany?
Yes. Certified translations from our translators sworn in Germany are recognized nationwide by all authorities, courts, immigration offices and registry offices. This applies to all official documents from Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
Do I need an apostille for Portuguese certificates?
Yes, usually. Both Brazil and Portugal are member states of the Hague Apostille Convention. The document to be translated (e.g., Certidão de Nascimento) must therefore bear the apostille from the competent authority (court or notary).
Exception: Certificates from Portugal may fall under EU Regulation 2016/1191 and be exempt from the apostille if they are available as a multilingual form.
Is a photo sufficient, or do I have to send the original by post?
A scan or a sharp photo (PDF/JPG) of your Portuguese certificate is completely sufficient. As a rule, you do not have to send the original by post, as the certified translation is based on the digital template.
How long does the certified translation Portuguese–German take?
Standard: The creation and subsequent mailing usually take a few business days after order confirmation.
Express: possible – depending on the daily workload of our sworn translators. Please let us know your preferred deadline if you need an express translation.
How much does a certified translation cost?
You will always receive a binding fixed price as soon as you upload your document (e.g., Diploma or Certidão de Casamento). The costs vary depending on the length, complexity and legibility of the document.
Which documents can you translate?
We translate all official documents from the Portuguese-speaking world, including:
- Certidão de Nascimento (Birth certificate)
- Certidão de Casamento (Marriage certificate)
- Diploma (University degrees) and school certificates (Histórico escolar)
- Documents from the Cartório (Brazil) / Conservatória (Portugal) and notarial deeds
Can I also receive the translation digitally?
Yes, upon request, you will receive a digital PDF preview in advance. The certified original (with the stamp and signature of the sworn translator) will then follow by post. This is ideal for submitting the translation quickly to the German authorities.
Skeptical? Our 20 Years of Experience Secure Your Success.
The certified translation is about your future: visas, jobs, or the recognition of your qualification. Ask yourself: Who guarantees the recognition of my document?
The answer lies in our experience: As a sworn translator, I have worked successfully for over 20 years for the largest and most demanding companies in Europe. My work was always discreet, precise, and reliable.
Today, I share this expertise and the team of experts I have built with you. This team consists of publicly appointed and sworn specialist translators for over 40 languages, all of whom are familiar with the processes of German and international authorities.
Our Goal: To give you the security you need. With dito, you don't just receive a certified translation, but a partner who ensures that your document is nationally and internationally recognized so that you can achieve your goals.
Start achieving this goal now by holding your documents in the language of your choice.