Savings tip: translate only what is requested. Authorities name the exact list — translating the whole folder just in case doubles the budget for nothing.
Sworn Translation: German-Listed Only
Authorities accept translations only from translators sworn in by German courts. The official database: justiz-dolmetscher.de.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
COSTS
- €Certificate translation usually €30–80 per document
› Details and tips
👨🏻💻
Max recommends:
I e-mailed scans to the translator and got the translations by post in 4 days — no visit needed. Order two certified copies right away: the surcharge is minimal.
👩🏼💼
Lea recommends:
Everything gets translated including the apostille stamp — so apostille first, translation second. The wrong order means paying twice.
Useful Tools
- Lingoking documents
Certified translations for German authorities: upload a scan, the translation arrives by post.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does a sworn translation cost? ▾
A certificate: 30–80 €, a degree with transcript: 100–200 €. Prices are free-market: three quotes via justiz-dolmetscher.de differ by up to double.
The translation from my country is cheaper — why not use it? ▾
German offices require translators sworn at German courts: foreign stamps get rejected almost always — and you pay twice.
Does the translation itself need an apostille? ▾
No: in Germany the sworn translator's certification with stamp suffices. An apostille is needed only on the original document in the issuing country, not on the German translation.
Do I have to send originals? ▾
Usually no: sworn translators work from scans and note it in the certification. You show the original to the authority together with the translation.