Authorities, courts and official bodies at home and abroad often require certified translations of your important documents. But not every translator is allowed to do this. Sworn translators are state-recognized language experts with the special authority to certify translations with legal validity. This blog post clarifies the most important questions and shows you how you can get a certified translation quickly and easily at Beglaubigung24 .
Definition and legal basis
A sworn translator (also known as a sworn, publicly appointed or authorized translator) is a state-recognized language expert who is officially authorized to translate documents with legal validity and certify these translations with his or her stamp and signature.
The legal basis for the work of sworn translators in Germany is formed by the respective interpreter and translator laws of the federal states. These laws regulate the requirements for swearing in as well as the rights and obligations of sworn translators.
Important to knowThe title "sworn translator" is legally protected. Only people who have been officially sworn in may use this title and produce certified translations.
Differences to other types of translators
There are various designations for translators with official qualifications, which are often confused:
| Type | Designation | Authority | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sworn translator | In some federal states (e.g. Bavaria, Berlin) | May notarize translations | Regional court |
| Publicly appointed translator | In some federal states (e.g. Hesse) | May notarize translations | Regional court |
| Authorized translator | In some federal states (e.g. NRW) | May notarize translations | Regional court |
| State-certified translator | Job title after examination | No certification authorization without additional swearing-in | IHK/state examination center |
| Translators without swearing in | Freelance translator | No authorization to certify | - |
Special regional features
In Germany, there are different designations and procedures for the swearing-in of translators depending on the federal state:
- Bavaria: "Publicly appointed and sworn translator"
- Berlin: "Sworn translator"
- North Rhine-Westphalia: "Authorized translator"
- Hesse: "Publicly appointed translator"
Despite the different designations, the qualifications and authorizations are essentially identical: these language experts are permitted to produce translations that are recognized by authorities and courts throughout Germany.
When do you need a sworn translator?
Certified translations are required in many official situations:
Official matters
- Naturalization procedure
- Residence permits
- Visa applications
- Driver's license transcriptions
Education sector
- Certificates and diplomas
- Degrees
- School reports
- Applications to foreign universities
Legal documents
- Court documents
- Judgments
- Contracts with legal effect
- Powers of attorney
Personal documents
Practical example: Marie is studying in Spain
Marie is applying to the University of Barcelona. She needs the following documents in certified Spanish translation:
The university only accepts translations from sworn translators ("traducción jurada"). Marie orders these from Beglaubigung24, receives the PDFs after 3 days and the originals with stamp after 5 days. All documents are accepted without any problems.
Tip: Organize certified translations 1-2 months before the application deadline.
How do you recognize a sworn translator?
A certified translation has certain characteristics:
- Personal stamp of the sworn translator
- Signature of the translator
- Certification formula confirming that the translation is complete and correct
- Date and place of notarization
- String and seal for multi-page documents
Order process at Beglaubigung24
With us, the ordering process for your certified translation is simple and straightforward:
Price factors
The cost of certified translations depends on various factors:
- Language combination: rarer languages are generally more expensive
- Document type: technical or legal texts are often more expensive
- Scope of the material to be translated
- Urgency: Express service costs more than standard shipping
Your advantages
Professional competence
All our translators are state-certified and sworn in
Reliability
Adherence to deadlines and reliable processing
Confidentiality
Strict data protection guidelines in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001
Quality assurance
Multiple test procedures according to ISO 17100
Frequently asked questions
Are certified translations valid internationally?
As a rule, certified translations by German sworn translators are recognized internationally. However, there may be additional requirements depending on the country and intended use. For some countries, an apostille or legalization is required to confirm the authenticity of the certification. This is usually not necessary for EU countries, while non-European countries often have stricter requirements. We will be happy to advise you on the specific requirements for your destination country.
How long is a certified translation valid?
In Germany, certified translations have no statutory period of validity. In principle, they remain valid as long as the translated original documents do not change. However, some authorities and institutions set internal deadlines:
- Universities: often 3-6 months
- Aliens authorities: sometimes only 3 months
- International organizations: varies greatly
We recommend that you ask the respective office whether there are any time restrictions.
Do I need the original for a certified translation?
A legible copy or scan of your document is sufficient for the translation. Our sworn translators can work with digital originals. However, certain authorities and institutions require the translator to confirm that they have seen the original in their certification formula. In this case, there are two options:
- You send us your original document by registered mail
- The translator notes in the certification formula that the translation was made from a copy/scan
We will be happy to advise you on which option is the right one for your specific case.
Can I order a certified translation online?
Yes, with Beglaubigung24 you can complete the entire process online:
- Select the desired language combination
- Upload your document securely to our platform
- Specify the number of pages and choose between standard or express delivery
- Choose between "Digital only" (PDF by e-mail) or "Digital & postal delivery"
- Pay conveniently with your preferred payment method
Depending on the option selected, you will then receive the finished certified translation as a PDF file by e-mail and/or as a hard copy with stamp and signature by post.
Which languages does Beglaubigung24 offer?
We offer certified translations in 19 language combinations:
German in the following languages:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Italian
- Russian
- Polish
- Turkish
- Portuguese
- Dutch
For some language combinations (German-English, English-German, German-Spanish, Spanish-German, German-Italian, Italian-German) we also offer an express service with delivery within 24 hours on working days.
How secure is the transmission of my documents?
At Beglaubigung24 , we place the highest value on data protection and data security:
- Our website uses SSL encryption (HTTPS)
- Documents are uploaded via a secure connection
- We only store your documents for the duration of the translation process
- All translators are subject to strict confidentiality agreements
- Our service is certified according to ISO/IEC 27001 for information security
Your personal documents are in safe hands with us, and we treat all information as strictly confidential.
Can I use the certified translation for multiple purposes?
Yes, a certified translation can generally be used for various purposes as long as the following conditions are met:
- The original document has not changed
- The translation has not been damaged or altered
- The requesting body accepts copies or previously used translations
However, some authorities and certain procedures expressly require new originals. In this case, you can simply order additional certified copies from us, which are cheaper than a completely new translation.
Do you need a certified translation for your documents? Contact us or start your order now via our certified online translation agency.
