Certified translations of documents and certificates

Find your document and open the relevant page to learn what matters when having it translated. To request a quote, you can initially submit a clearly legible scan or photograph.

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Submit your document for review and request a quote

Tell us the source and target languages, the receiving authority or institution, the intended use and your preferred completion date. Include all relevant pages, reverse sides, attachments and any existing certifications.

Request a quote and upload your documents

Which document do you need a certified translation of?

The list is organised by typical uses. Each entry links to a page with more information about the document.

Civil status, family and nationality

Translated certificates and court decisions may be required for marriage, family matters or nationality procedures. The responsible authority determines which documents and formats are needed.

School, university and recognition of qualifications

University applications and the recognition of foreign qualifications often require translations of certificates, academic records or decisions issued by authorities. A translation does not replace an assessment of equivalence or any required proof of authenticity.

Employment and income

Translated employment documents may be required for job applications, professional licensing or proof of employment. Income records may be needed for financing, residence or benefit applications. Check the applicable requirements beforehand.

Medical and health documents

Medical documents may be needed for further treatment, an insurance review or an assessment by an authority. Whether a certified translation is required depends on the recipient and the intended use.

Vehicles, identity and official records

Registration, residence and other administrative procedures may require translations of identity documents and official records. Vehicle registration and driving licence procedures may involve additional requirements that a translation alone does not fulfil.

Legal documents, powers of attorney and contracts

Translations of these documents may be required for court proceedings, legal transactions or acting on another person’s behalf. They do not replace any required notarisation or an assessment of legal validity.

Business, finance and registers

Cross-border business, registration procedures or financing assessments may require translations of business and financial documents. The recipient determines whether a certified translation, a current register extract or additional evidence is needed.

Is your document missing from the list? Our page on translating other documents provides further guidance. You can also submit your document directly for review.

Are you looking for information about a procedure rather than a document? See our overview by purpose and intended use.

How to obtain your certified translation

Check the requirements: Ask the receiving authority or institution about the target language, scope, submission format and any additional evidence.
Submit your documents: Use the quote request form to send complete, clearly legible scans or photographs and any requirements you have received.
Review the quote: You receive a quote for your documents. The price, processing time and delivery arrangements depend on the language, scope and order.
Place your order: Once you commission the work, the translation is prepared with the required translator’s certification statement. Submit the agreed version together with any other required documents.

What to check before having your document translated

Scans, photographs and originals

You can submit a scan or photographs for the initial review and quote. All text, stamps, seals and handwritten notes must be legible. Whether the original or a certified copy is needed later depends on the intended use and the requirements of the receiving authority or institution.

Translator’s certification statement and submission format

The translator’s certification statement confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation under the applicable rules. It does not confirm the authenticity of the source document. A certified translation is also different from a certified copy.

Check whether a paper version or a particular electronic format is required. A scanned document bearing a stamp and signature is not automatically equivalent to an electronically signed version. Our guide explains what a certified translation is.

Include any existing apostille

If an apostille is already attached to your document, submit it as well. Whether it needs to be translated depends on the submission requirements. dito translates existing apostilles; this service does not include issuing or obtaining an apostille.

Clarify the spelling of names

For names written in another script, provide any existing spelling in Latin characters and, where appropriate, a relevant identity document. Differences in spelling are reviewed and handled transparently; information in the source document is not changed arbitrarily.

Follow the recipient’s requirements

The receiving authority or institution determines which documents and translation format are needed for the specific procedure. A certified translation does not replace professional recognition of a qualification, verification of authenticity or any other required evidence.

Official information is available in Section 23 of the German Administrative Procedure Act on the official language and submission of translations (German text) and from the Federal Foreign Office on international recognition and legalisation of documents. The requirements of the specific procedure remain decisive.

Which language do you need your document translated into?

Our language overview for certified translations provides information about the languages we offer. In your request, specify the source and target languages and the country where you intend to use the translation.

Frequently asked questions about document translations

Which documents can be translated with certification?

Certificates, academic records, official decisions, contracts and other written documents can generally be considered. We review your documents and requirements to determine whether a translation can be provided in the language and format you need.

Is a scan or photograph enough to request a quote?

Yes, for the initial review and quote. Images must be complete and clearly legible. Include any relevant reverse sides and attachments.

Do I need to submit the original?

Not for every order. Whether an original or a certified copy is required depends on the recipient’s requirements and the version needed. Check this before placing your order.

Who can prepare a certified translation?

For the usual submission of documents in Germany, translations are prepared by appropriately sworn, authorised or publicly appointed translators. Their titles and powers depend on the law of the relevant federal state. You can find entries and language combinations in the official database of translators and interpreters maintained by the German state justice administrations.

Will every authority recognise the translation?

This cannot be guaranteed for every case. The responsible authority sets the requirements for the specific procedure, including the target language, the translator’s qualifications and the submission format.

Can an existing apostille be translated as well?

If required for submission, an existing apostille can be translated together with the document. Include it when submitting your documents for review. Translating an apostille does not replace having one issued.

What if my document is not listed?

You can still submit it for review. Tell us the required language, the recipient and the intended use. We will check whether a translation can be offered and in which format.