Certified translation

A round stamp of a sworn translator in Germany as a symbolic picture for German, English, and French certified translation services online in Dresden.
Legal translations with stamp and signature

Documents frequently translated by sworn translators

Do you need a certified translation of documents for visa or immigration (e.g. for USCIS, UKVI or German Missions/BAMF), courts or other official purposes?

 

I can help you to translate your:

 

  • birth certificate
  • marriage certificate
  • death certificate
  • certificate of naturalization
  • passport / ID
  • residence permit
  • school-leaving certificate
  • degree certificate (e.g. Bachelor / Master)
  • diploma
  • diploma supplement
  • transcript of records / academic record
  • driver's license
  • contract (e.g. work contract, purchase agreement)
  • certificate of good standing
  • certificate of good conduct / police clearance certificate / criminal record
  • reference letter / letter of recommendation
  • medical report
  • proof of residence certificate / registration certificate
  • affidavit (e.g. affidavit of single status)
  • certificate of no impediment to marriage
  • one and same certificate
  • court ruling (e.g. divorce decree or decree absolute)
  • articles of association
  • certificate of registration / excerpt from the commercial register
  • list of members of a company
  • other official documents, statements, and important papers

 

I provide certified translation services online from and into the following languages:

 

  • English to German
  • German to English
  • French to German
  • German to French

What is a certified translation?

Can anyone certify a translation in Germany? No. Many authorities require that the translation of official documents is issued by a professional, court-certified or sworn translator. This is called a certified translation (also authorized translation or notarized translation).

 

What does a certified translation look like? In Germany, a certified translation carries the stamp or seal and the signature of the sworn translator. It is tamper-proof and is accepted throughout Germany by all courts, public authorities, institutions and employers. By Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016, such a translation of public documents is accepted in all Member States of the European Union and in most cases also internationally. If you wish to use the translation abroad, in some countries you might need to get an apostille or legalization in addition.

 

As a publicly appointed and sworn translator in Germany (Higher Regional Court Dresden) for the English and French language (in Germany referred to as "öffentlich bestellter und allgemein beeidigter Übersetzer"), I am authorized to certify my translations in the language pairs English-German and French-German. As such, I am listed in the database of translators and interpreters maintained by the State Justice administrations. 

 

My certified translations fulfill international requirements. They are of permanent document quality and comply with the guidelines for the translation of legal documents.

How much is a certified translation?

Please send your documents as a photo/scan (easy to read - see below) via e-mail. I will send you a free quote with the total price based on the documents submitted.

How long does it take to obtain a certified translation?

After your confirmation of order, you will receive the certified translation within a few business days. Express delivery within 24 hours is possible at any time for a small surcharge.

 

If desired, I can send you a draft of the translation via e-mail in advance so that you can check if everything is ok. If this is the case, I will print your translation on high-quality paper and certify its completeness and accuracy with stamp and signature. Afterwards, I will send the translation to you by mail.

 

Of course, I will keep an electronic version of your certified translation so that I can quickly send you another copy whenever you may need it.

How to scan or photograph your documents correctly

Since a copy of the source document must be attached to the certified translation, I will need a clear scan or photo of your document. Please keep the following things in mind when you prepare your documents for translation:

cut off
cut off

Document cut off or incomplete. Make sure that the text is not cut off and no page is missing. Be sure to also include the back of your document (e.g. any stamps or hand-written remarks).


too dark
too dark

Document too dark. Make sure that your document is well-lit.


overexposed
overexposed

Document overexposed. Make sure that the light is not too bright. If necessary, turn off the flash on your camera.


object
object

Foreign object. Make sure that there is no foreign object (e.g. ballpoint pen, finger) on your document and that there is no shadow on your document when photographing.


skewed
skewed

Skewed angle. Photograph your document directly from above and make sure it lies flat on the ground.


blurred
blurred

Document blurred. Make sure the text is sharp and easy to read. Your document must be in high resolution.


correct
correct

Document properly photographed or scanned. All pages are complete and easy to read. The document is well-lit and photographed from above. There is no shadow or foreign object on the document. It can be used for a certified translation without any problems.


Tip: Use a free scanner app with your mobile device, such as Adobe Scan for smartphone and tablet.

Important information on certified translations

Translator's certification: There is no difference between certified translation or sworn translation in Germany. However, please note that I must state whether I have received the original, a certified or uncertified copy of your document for translation. Therefore, please contact the institution to which you would like to submit the certified translation beforehand to find out what conditions apply regarding the recognition of the translation. However, you can send me your documents as a scan or a photocopy for a first quote.

 

Certification of originals/copies: The authority asks you to combine the translation with the original or a certified copy of the original? This is sometimes necessary if you want to obtain an apostille for the certified translation to be used outside of Germany. You should know, however, that sworn translators are not authorized to certify your original document or to make a certified copy thereof. In these cases, you should first contact a notary, your local Citizens' Service Center or similar authorities. Please go to the following website for more information:

 

 

Apostille/Legalization: Authorities in Germany may require a proof of authenticity of your public document. In most cases, you can obtain an apostille from the authority that issued your document or a legalization from the German mission in the country where the document was issued (German embassies and consulates). If you need a certified translation with apostille to be used outside of Germany, I can obtain one for you. Please ask the authority to which you want to submit the documents whether an apostille is required for your original and/or the certified translation. Consult the following website for more information:

 

 

For more information on foreign public documents to be presented in Germany, please visit the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Request a free quote

Call me today to discuss your options or simply use the contact form to get your free quote for a certified translation within minutes.

Sprach- und Übersetzungsservice

Dr. Ralph Smyreck

 

Bürgerstraße 31
D-01127 Dresden

Service vor Ort nur mit Termin.
Office open by appointment only.

Nehmen Sie telefonisch Kontakt mit Sprach- und Übersetzungsservice Ralph Smyreck auf

 

+49 (0) 351 82 42 32 65

Schreiben Sie eine E-Mail an Sprach- und Übersetzungsservice Ralph Smyreck