For naturalization, foreign documents often have to be submitted as a certified translation and with an apostille. This article explains when a certified translation is required, in what order to proceed, and how civitas. supports you with this.
When a certified translation is required
Documents in a foreign language – such as the birth or marriage certificate – are only recognized by the authority with a certified translation. This translation must be prepared by a translator sworn (authorized) before a regional court in Germany. Translations from online services or translations from abroad without the prescribed certification are generally not sufficient.
You can find sworn translators in the nationwide, public database justiz-dolmetscher.de.
The correct order
With foreign documents, the order matters:
- Original – the starting point is the original document from the country of origin.
- Apostille or legalization – it is affixed to the original in the country of origin. The apostille is based on the Hague Convention of 1961. If the state is not a party to the convention, legalization by the German diplomatic mission takes its place.
- Certified translation – only afterwards is the document translated by a sworn translator.
The apostille always belongs on the original – never on a copy or an already translated version. The apostille itself is usually not translated; only the main document needs the translation. Your passport does not need an apostille, as it is an identity document and not a document within the meaning of the convention.
The role of civitas.
civitas. does not itself provide any translation or certification service. As a separate service, however, civitas. can offer you the arrangement of translations by sworn translators. Commissioning and paying the translator is handled separately.
Note: Which documents your authority requires as a certified translation in an individual case may vary. For legal questions, please contact your authority or a law firm.