Next to the apostille, the certified translation is a typical pitfall. But: anyone with documents in German, English or Danish needs no translation at all.
Which languages does Familieretshuset accept?
| Origin of document | Translation needed? |
|---|---|
| German-speaking (DE, AT, CH-DE) | No |
| English-speaking (UK, USA, AU) | No |
| Swedish, Norwegian | Ask Familieretshuset in advance |
| French, Italian (CH) | Yes, into German, English or Danish |
| Turkish, Arabic, Russian | Yes, German or English |
| Brazilian Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu | Yes, German or English |
Which of your documents need translating at all depends on your case: the guide to the documents for the wedding in Denmark gives an overview, and special points for documents from third countries are covered in the guide to the binational wedding. The free eligibility check shows your personal list.
What does "certified" mean?
A certified translation is produced by an authorised translator: in Germany, depending on the federal state, publicly appointed and sworn or authorised; in Austria, generally sworn and court-certified. It carries a stamp, signature and a note that it is word-accurate.
Familieretshuset requires a translation by an authorised translator; the easiest option is to use translators from Germany, Austria or Switzerland, whose entry you can check in the translator register. The whole document must be translated, including the apostille and stamps. Google Translate, DeepL, friends with language skills or translations without certification are rejected by Familieretshuset, and a follow-up request follows.
Where do you find sworn translators?
Two good places to start:
- justiz-dolmetscher.de, the official German register by language and state;
- the BDÜ (German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators), which connects vetted members.
For your Danish marriage certificate, our Apostille service (€199.99) also coordinates the certified translation for DE/AT/CH if needed.
What does a certified translation cost?
Guide values per document, depending on length and language. You only translate what you have to submit: Familieretshuset asks for your own birth certificate and civil-status proof only in individual cases, whereas the divorce decree or the birth certificates of joint children, for example, are mandatory; which certificates divorced partners need in addition is covered in the guide to a second wedding:
| Document | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate, standard page | €40–70 |
| Birth certificate, detailed (e.g. Turkish, Arabic) | €70–110 |
| Civil-status proof (only if requested) | €50–80 |
| Divorce decree with legal force | €120–250 |
| Translation of the apostille | €20–40 |
Order all translations as a bundle from one provider; some give a volume discount for several documents.
