The certified translation is the second-most-common pitfall after the apostille. But: anyone with German or English as the original document often needs no translation at all. Here are the 2026 rules.
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 | No |
| French / Italian (CH) | Yes, into German |
| Turkish, Arabic, Russian | Yes, German or English |
| Brazilian Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu | Yes, German or English |
What does "certified" mean?
A certified translation is produced by a publicly appointed and sworn translator (in Germany: authorised). It carries a stamp, signature and a note that it is word-accurate.
AcceptedPublicly appointed and sworn translators from Germany, Austria or Switzerland. Entry in the translator register verifiable.
Not acceptedGoogle Translate, DeepL, friends with language skills, translations without certification. Immediate rejection.
Where do you find sworn translators?
Three reliable sources:
- justiz-dolmetscher.de official German register by language and state.
- BDÜ (German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators), connects vetted members.
- We recommend when you book our service, we handle the complete commissioning.
What does a certified translation cost?
| Document type | Language pair | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate, standard page | EN/DE | € 40–70 |
| Birth certificate, detailed | TR/AR → DE | € 70–110 |
| Civil-status proof | DE/EN | € 50–80 |
| Divorce decree with legal force | DE/EN | € 120–250 |
| Apostille (separate translation) | — | € 20–40 |
Pro tip: bundle orderMany translators give a volume discount for 3+ documents. Order all translations from one provider, saves up to 20 %.
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Check translation needs → Fixed price €649.99 · Apostille €199.99 · GDPR-compliant
