What is a certified translation?
A certified translation applies to official documents such as birth certificates or driving licenses. Once certified by a sworn translator, the translation itself also becomes an official document. Sworn translators confirm the accuracy and completeness of the translation by signing, stamping and adding their certification statement to the final document.
What is a digitally certified translation?
Certified translations in Germany must be produced by sworn translators. These translations contain the certification note, stamp and signature of the translator.
The same applies to digitally certified translations, except that they are not printed out and certified, but can simply be certified digitally. This can only be done with a qualified electronic signature (QES). The QES ensures that the translation is considered authentic and unmodified. The translation is only valid in digital form and loses its validity as soon as it is printed out.
Why do some translations have to be certified?
Official authorities require certified translations to ensure that the translated document is an accurate and complete representation of the original. Certified translations of documents can be particularly relevant for cross-border activities, such as immigrating to Germany.
What do certified translations need to include?
A certified translation is a translated document with a signed attestation clause from the translator or translation agency confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation, bearing an official stamp or seal. It serves as a legal or official record, attesting to the authenticity of the translation for various official or administrative purposes.
Is the certified translation being attached to the original document?
No, the original document remains with you. You simply upload a scan or photo.
Who provides a certified translation?
Certified translations may only be created by translators sworn in at court for their working language(s).
What types of certification notes are there for certified translations?
A certification note confirms the accuracy and completeness of a translation and is issued by publicly appointed and generally sworn translators. The exact wording of the note may vary depending on the federal state and the type of source document submitted. A typical certification note reads:
‘As a publicly appointed and generally sworn translator for [language] in [federal state], I certify that the above translation of the document submitted to me as a [certified copy/original/simple copy], written in [example: English], is accurate and complete.’
Types of source documents that can be submitted for translation are:
Simple copy: A copy of the original that has not been certified.
Certified copy: An officially certified copy of an original.
Scan or photocopy of the original: A digitised or photographed copy of the original.
Original document: The physical original document.
What is a certified copy of a document?
A certified copy is a photocopy of an official document accompanied by a confirmation that it is a photocopy of the original, official document.
Unlike simple copies, which can be made by anyone by simply photocopying the document, certified copies can only be issued by certain authorities at specific locations.
Where can I obtain a certified copy of documents?
The following authorities can issue certified copies of documents: German embassies, town halls, citizens' offices or notaries.
The responsibility usually depends on the following factors: the country and language of issue of the document, the requirements of the respective authority or contact point to which the certified copy is to be submitted. Some citizens' offices, for example, refuse to issue certified copies of foreign-language documents or documents that they have not issued themselves.
Are certified translations by lingoking recognised in all federal states in Germany?
Yes, all certified translations by lingoking are recognised in all federal states in Germany, including North Rhine-Westphalia. Due to our experience with the recognition process we know all specifications needed for certified translations to be recognised the specific federal states.