Certified translation requirements for Germany
For official use in Germany, you generally need a sworn translation by a beeidigte/ermächtigte Übersetzer. The receiving authority is regional courts (Landgerichte), whose rules determine the exact format, signatures, and supporting documents required. We align the translation with those requirements and recommend confirming any case-specific filing instructions before submission.
Who accepts certified translations
- German courts and authorities require sworn translators appointed by regional courts (Landgerichte).
- The relevant designation includes beeidigte/ermächtigte Übersetzer.
- Certification of document copies by a notary is a separate step from the sworn translation.
What your translation must include
Accepted certification: a sworn translation by a beeidigte/ermächtigte Übersetzer
- Use a beeidigte/ermächtigte Übersetzer appointed by a regional court (Landgericht).
- Request the sworn translation required by the receiving German court or authority.
- Arrange notarial certification of copies separately if the procedure calls for certified copies.
Important filing notes
A sworn translator's appointment and a notary's certification of a document copy are distinct formalities in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Who can issue a sworn translation for Germany?
A beeidigte/ermächtigte Übersetzer appointed by a regional court (Landgericht) provides the sworn translation used by German courts and authorities.
Which authority appoints sworn translators in Germany?
Sworn translators are appointed regionally by the Landgerichte, Germany's regional courts.
Is a notary the same as a sworn translator in Germany?
No. The sworn translator produces the translation, while notarial certification of a document copy is a separate step.
Do German courts accept an ordinary certified translation?
German courts and authorities require the sworn-translator route through a beeidigte/ermächtigte Übersetzer appointed by a regional court.