Authorities, courts, and official bodies both domestically and internationally often require certified translations of your important documents. However, not every translator is authorized to produce these. Sworn translators are state-certified language experts with the special authority to legally certify translations. This blog post answers the most important questions and shows you how to quickly and easily obtain a certified translation from Beglaubigung24.
Definition and legal basis
A sworn translator (also called: certified, publicly appointed or authorized translator) is a state-approved language expert who is officially authorized to legally translate documents and to certify these translations with his stamp and signature.
In Germany, the legal basis for the work of sworn translators is provided 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 know : The title "sworn translator" is legally protected. Only people who have been officially sworn in are allowed to use this title and produce certified translations.
Differences from other types of translators
There are various terms for translators with official qualifications, which are often confused:
| type | Designation | authority | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sworn translator | In some federal states (e.g. Bavaria, Berlin) | Is authorized to certify translations? | Regional Court |
| Publicly appointed translator | In some federal states (e.g. Hesse) | Is authorized to certify translations? | Regional Court |
| Sworn translator | In some federal states (e.g. North Rhine-Westphalia) | Is authorized to certify translations? | Regional Court |
| State-certified translator | Professional title after examination | No authentication authority without additional swearing-in. | Chamber of Industry and Commerce/State Examination Office |
| Uncertified translator | Freelance translator | No authentication authority | - |
Regional characteristics
In Germany, there are different terms and procedures for the certification of translators, depending on the federal state:
- Bavaria : "Publicly appointed and sworn translator"
- Berlin : "Sworn Translator"
- North Rhine-Westphalia : "Sworn Translator"
- Hesse : "Publicly appointed translator"
Despite the different names, the qualification and authorization are essentially identical: These language experts are allowed to produce translations that are recognized by authorities and courts throughout Germany.
When is a certified translator required?
Certified translations are required in many official situations:
Official matters
- Naturalization procedure
- Residence permits
- Visa applications
- Driving licence conversions
Education sector
- Certificates and diplomas
- Academic degrees
- School certificates
- Applications to foreign universities
Legal documents
- Court documents
- Judgments
- Contracts with legal effect
- Powers of attorney
Personal documents
Practical example: Marie studies in Spain
Marie is applying to the University of Barcelona. She needs the following documents with certified Spanish translations:
The university only accepts translations from certified translators ("traducción jurada"). Marie orders these from Beglaubigung24, receives the PDFs after 3 days, and the stamped originals after 5 days. All documents are accepted without any problems.
Tip: Arrange certified translations 1-2 months before the application deadline.
How can you recognize a sworn translator?
A certified translation has certain characteristics:
- Personal stamp of the sworn translator
- Translator's signature
- Certification formula confirming that the translation is complete and accurate.
- Date and place of authentication
- Cord and seal on multi-page documents
Ordering process at Certification24
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 usually more expensive
- Document type: technical or legal texts are often more expensive.
- Scope of material to be translated
- Urgency: Express service costs more than standard shipping.
Your benefits
Professional expertise
All our translators are state-certified and sworn in.
reliability
Punctuality and reliable processing
confidentiality
Strict data protection guidelines according to ISO/IEC 27001
Quality assurance
Multiple testing procedures according to ISO 17100
Frequently Asked Questions
Are certified translations internationally valid?
Certified translations from German sworn translators are generally recognized internationally. However, additional requirements may apply depending on the country and intended use. Some countries require an apostille or legalization to confirm the authenticity of the certification. This is usually not necessary for EU countries, while non-European countries often have stricter requirements. We would be happy to advise you on the specific requirements for your target country.
How long is a certified translation valid?
Certified translations in Germany do not have a legally defined validity period. They generally 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
- Immigration authorities: sometimes only 3 months
- International organizations: varies greatly
We recommend checking with the relevant office to see if there are any time restrictions.
Do I need the original for a certified translation?
To begin the translation process, a clearly legible copy or scan of your document is sufficient. Our certified translators can work with digital documents. However, certain authorities and institutions require the translator to confirm in their certification statement that they have seen the original. In this case, there are two options:
- Please send us your original document by registered mail.
- The translator notes in the certification statement that the translation was made from a copy/scan.
We will gladly advise you on which option is right for your specific situation.
Can I order a certified translation online?
Yes, at Beglaubigung24 you can complete the entire process completely online:
- Select your preferred language combination
- Securely upload your document to our platform
- Specify the number of pages and choose between standard or express delivery.
- Choose between "Digital only" (PDF via email) or "Digital & postal delivery"
- Pay conveniently with your preferred payment method.
Depending on the option chosen, you will then receive the completed certified translation as a PDF file via email and/or as a hard copy with stamp and signature via post.
Which languages does Certification24 offer?
We offer certified translations in 19 language combinations:
German into 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 Betreuigung24, we place the highest value on data protection and data security:
- Our website uses SSL encryption (HTTPS).
- Document uploads are done 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 with strict confidentiality.
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 party accepts copies or previously used translations.
However, some authorities and certain procedures explicitly require new originals. In this case, you can simply order additional certified copies from us, which are less expensive than a complete new translation.
Do you need a certified translation for your documents? Contact us or start your order now through our certified online translation agency.
