Certified translation of naturalization documents

Are you about to become a German citizen, but your foreign-language documents still need to be translated? We provide you with certified translations for all naturalization documents - with an express option in just 24 hours. Our court-appointed and sworn translators guarantee you translations that are recognized by all German authorities.

Your documents for German citizenship

Naturalization is the process by which you receive German citizenship and with it key rights such as the right to vote, unrestricted freedom of movement in the EU and a German passport. This requires you to submit various official documents that prove your identity, residence status and integration. As many of these documents were originally issued in another language, a certified translation into German is the only way for them to be recognized by the German authorities.

The path to naturalization includes:

1. Examination of the requirements: including 8 years of legal residence (in certain cases also shorter), securing a livelihood, language skills
2. Collecting the required documents: incl. certified translations of all foreign-language documents
3. Naturalization application: Submission of all documents to the competent authority
4. Naturalization test: Proof of knowledge of the German legal and social order
5. Release from previous citizenship: depending on the country of origin (in many cases, however, dual citizenship is also possible)
6. Naturalization assurance and naturalization certificate: ceremonial conferral of German citizenship

Many of these documents must be submitted with a certified translation (if they are not already in German). This is the only way the German authorities can correctly understand and assess the information.

The registration certificate is also one of the important documents for naturalization. You can find more information on this in our guide to the registration certificate.

In addition to presenting official documents, naturalization in Germany also requires passing the naturalization test. This test assesses knowledge of the German legal and social system as well as living conditions in Germany. It consists of 33 questions, of which at least 17 must be answered correctly. For naturalization, it is also necessary that all documents submitted are in German. To prepare for naturalization, you can practice the naturalization test online in advance - a sample test is available on the official website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Typical questions asked in the naturalization test: 

• Who elects the Federal Chancellor?
  → The Bundestag

• What is not state authority in Germany?
  → Press (The three powers are: legislative, executive and judiciary)

• What happened in Germany on November 9, 1989?
  → The Berlin Wall fell.

• Which German city used to be divided?
  → Berlin

• What does the German constitution say?
  → Human dignity is inviolable.

Why certified translations are important for your naturalization

Naturalization is all about trust - the authorities need to be able to rely on the authenticity of your documents. This is where certified translations play a key role:

• Legal requirement with good reason: German authorities only accept documents in German or with a certified translation. This is not bureaucratic chicanery. It ensures that all relevant information is correctly understood and that no important details are lost or misinterpreted.

• Legally compliant for both sides: A certified translation is not a transfer of words. It is a legally valid document that bindingly reproduces the content of the original. The stamp and signature of the sworn translator confirm this: This translation is complete and correct.

• Speed up your procedure: The naturalization procedure takes time, that's normal. But with correctly translated and notarized documents, you avoid unnecessary delays caused by queries or additional requests from the authorities. Every document that is accepted the first time brings you a step closer to your goal.

• Official recognition nationwide: Our certified translations are recognized by all German authorities and courts - from the registry office in Munich to the immigration office in Hamburg. You can submit them to any German authority without hesitation.

A common mistake: Many applicants try to save costs by translating themselves or hiring non-sworn translators. The result is that the entire process is delayed by weeks or months.  

Your certified translation in simple steps:

As a digital translation agency, we make the entire process possible for you without any paperwork or printouts:

What our customers say about their experiences:

"When I saw the list of documents required for my naturalization, I was overwhelmed at first. I needed several translated documents from my home country for my procedure. The ordering process was pleasantly simple, the price was fair and the quality was excellent. I particularly liked the personal consultation beforehand - I was unsure whether all my documents needed to be translated and I received a quick and competent response. All documents were accepted by the immigration authorities without any objections." Ahmed S., Berlin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The express option saved me! I was about to take my naturalization test and realized that my language certificate still needed to be translated. I needed a certified translation at short notice and actually had it in my e-mail inbox the next day thanks to the 24-hour service. The printed version arrived two days later - in time for my appointment. The customer service was very understanding and really helped me in this stressful situation. Super service that I can recommend without reservation!" Elena M., Hamburg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"After a bad experience with a local translation agency, whose translation was rejected by the registry office, I turned to this service. The difference was clear: the documents were delivered faster, were professionally formatted and, above all, were accepted by the authorities without any problems. The price was even cheaper than the first attempt. If I had known this beforehand, I would have saved myself time and nerves." Thomas L., Cologne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Frequently asked questions about naturalization

Do I have to submit the original documents?

A legible copy or scan of your document is sufficient for the translation. This way, your valuable originals remain safely in your possession. 

How long does the translation of naturalization documents take?

Time is an important factor in the naturalization process. As standard, you will receive the PDF file of your certified translation by email within 3-4 working days. The printed version with original stamp and signature will be sent to you by post within 5-6 working days. For particularly urgent cases, we offer an express service with delivery of the PDF version within 24 hours for selected language combinations (English, Spanish, Italian) - ideal if deadlines are looming or you want to complete your application quickly.

Are your translations recognized in all federal states?

Yes, our translations are recognized by all German authorities and courts nationwide. This applies to immigration authorities, registry offices, youth welfare offices, courts and all other official bodies. 

Can I have several documents translated at the same time?

Absolutely, and this is even recommended! You usually need several translated documents for naturalization. You can upload all the required documents in one order process - but please upload each document separately and specify the corresponding number of pages. This allows us to process each document individually and certify it correctly.

Which languages do you offer for naturalization documents?

We cover many language combinations with our network of sworn translators. One of the two languages must be German. The most frequently requested language combinations in the context of naturalization are

• English - German
• Turkish - German
• Arabic - German
• Russian - German
• Polish - German
• Italian - German 
• Spanish - German
• French - German

If you need a language combination that is not included in our standard offer, please contact us directly. We can often offer individual solutions for less common languages.

Are stamps and seals also translated?

Yes, all relevant elements of the original document - including stamps, seals and official endorsements - are included in the certified translation. The sworn translator will note if a seal, stamp or handwritten signature is involved. 

Your path to naturalization: Start now with the correct documents!

Naturalization is an important step that deserves careful preparation. With professionally certified translations, you lay the foundation for a successful procedure and avoid unnecessary delays caused by document problems.

We have already helped thousands of people on their way to German citizenship - and we look forward to helping you too.

Upload your document now, select the languages and receive your certified translation for your naturalization procedure quickly and reliably!