What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation whose accuracy and completeness are confirmed in writing by a sworn translator. This confirmation – the Bestätigungsvermerk – is placed directly on the translation.
Under the Saxon Interpreters Act (SächsDolmG) it states place and date, signature and stamp. If only part of a document has been translated, the note says so. That is how authorities know they can rely on the content.
German authorities work in German. The Administrative Procedure Act puts it simply: “Die Amtssprache ist deutsch” – the official language is German (§ 23 VwVfG). If you submit documents in another language, the authority can ask for a translation – and in justified cases specifically for a certified one.
Who may certify translations in Saxony?
Only translators admitted by the justice authorities may certify translations. In Saxony this is done through a general swearing-in (allgemeine Beeidigung) by the President of the Higher Regional Court in Dresden. A sworn translator uses the title “allgemein beeidigte Übersetzerin / allgemein beeidigter Übersetzer” for the respective language.
In other German states the same professionals are called ermächtigte or öffentlich bestellte translators. The name differs, the function is comparable. Authorities throughout Germany generally accept these translations regardless of the state where the translator was sworn in.
You can check whether a translator is admitted in the joint database of the state justice administrations: justiz-dolmetscher.de.
Which documents usually need a certified translation?
- Civil status: birth, marriage and death certificates, divorce decrees – e.g. for the registry office (Standesamt).
- Residence and naturalisation: documents for the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).
- Education and work: school certificates, diplomas, transcripts for recognition bodies, universities and employers.
- Driving: foreign driving licences for the driving licence authority.
- Legal and business: judgments, powers of attorney, contracts, commercial register extracts.
For private purposes – for example to understand a contract – a plain translation without certification is often enough, and cheaper.
Original, copy, apostille: what to check first
- Does it have to be a certified translation – or is a plain one enough?
- Is the original required or is a copy sufficient? Some offices want to see the translation together with the original document.
- Is an apostille or legalisation needed? It confirms the authenticity of the foreign document and is issued in the country where the document was issued. If there already is an apostille, it is usually translated as well.
What does a certified translation cost?
There is no flat price. The cost depends mainly on length, language, legibility of the original, subject matter and urgency. A one-page certificate is quicker to translate than a multi-page judgment full of legal terms.
Statutory rates only apply when courts or authorities commission the translation themselves: the German Judicial Remuneration Act (§ 11 JVEG) then provides EUR 1.95 per started 55 characters if the text is supplied in editable form, otherwise EUR 2.15 – at least EUR 20 per order. These rates do not apply to private orders; there the price is agreed freely.
With us, you receive a quote before any work begins, so you know the cost in advance.
How it works at MTR Sprachendienst
- Send your document: a clear scan or photo by e-mail to [email protected] or via WhatsApp to +49 159 0199 0299. Tell us briefly what you need the translation for.
- Get a quote: we check length and language and reply with price and delivery date.
- Translation with certification: once you approve, we translate and certify the translation with confirmation, signature and stamp.
- Hand-over: pick-up in Leipzig (Johannes-R.-Becher-Straße 2) or delivery by arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t a plain translation enough?
For private purposes it often is. Authorities, courts and recognition bodies usually require a certified translation of official documents. If in doubt, ask the office where you submit the documents.
Can I translate myself and only have it certified?
The Saxon Interpreters Act also allows a sworn translator to check a translation presented to them and confirm it as correct and complete. Whether that saves money depends on the quality of the draft – it still has to be checked in full.
Is a translation certified in Saxony valid in other German states?
Generally yes. Authorities throughout Germany accept translations by court-sworn or authorised translators regardless of the state. For use abroad, the rules of the respective country apply.
How long does a certified translation take?
That depends on length and language. We give you a concrete date together with the quote. If it is urgent, tell us right away.
Sources
This guide gives a general overview and is not legal advice. Requirements can differ between authorities and from case to case – if in doubt, check with the office responsible.