Which document translation service do you need?
Document translation transfers the content of your written documents into another language. The recipient, subject and intended use determine what matters. A business contract needs different preparation from a birth certificate for an authority.
Choose specialized translation for business and technical texts. If your recipient requires a certified version of a certificate or supporting document, start with certified translation. The recipient’s instructions help you make that choice.
Business and technical documents
For contracts, reports, insurance documents and manuals, subject knowledge, the audience and consistent terminology matter. Share existing glossaries and explain how the translation will be used.
Explore specialized translations Estimate a specialized translationCertificates and official records
Do you need a translation for an authority, university or other institution? Ask whether it requires a certified translation and which form it accepts. Send those instructions with your documents.
Explore certified translations Estimate a certified translationTranslating PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
The file format affects how text, tables and design can be edited. Alongside the page count, complete and legible source material helps us assess the work.
PDFs, scans and photographs
Send every required page, sharp and straight, with no edges cut off. Reverse sides, stamps and handwritten additions may also matter. A scan does not automatically contain editable text; include original source files where available.
Word and text documents
Send the editable file where possible and identify the final version. Clarify whether comments, tracked changes, footnotes, headers and footers are included in the assignment.
Excel and spreadsheets
Identify the worksheets and cell ranges to translate. Point out protected, hidden or confidential content. Discuss number formats, units and formulas when agreeing the scope.
PowerPoint and presentations
Clarify whether speaker notes, charts and text inside images need translating. Translated text may be longer, so share templates and any design or space requirements.
Agree the required delivery format and any layout work in advance. Recreating every detail of a scanned document’s appearance is not automatically included in translation.
Explore more file formatsWhat we need for your documents
- Complete files or legible scans of all pages to be translated.
- Source and target languages, including any required regional variant.
- Recipient, intended use and any instructions on certification or delivery format.
- Preferred deadline, reference texts, terminology and official name spellings.
Send the final version where possible. Identify later changes to the source text and additional pages separately. Contact us before sending sensitive content if you need to clarify special requirements.
Three steps towards the right translation
Choose the service and languages
Start with the appropriate service in the existing online shop. Specify the source and target languages and get an initial estimate without committing to an order.
Clarify the documents and requirements
For the assignment, we need complete files, the intended use and your deadline. We clarify questions about legibility, certification and format with you.
Agree translation and delivery
Check the details before placing a binding order. Delivery follows the selected service and agreed requirements; mention any special needs early.
We are experts in our field
Explore the four subject areas covered by this page. The relevant specialist guides explain which information helps us prepare your text.
Business and finance
Bank and insurance documents, business contracts and economic reports: share the intended use, audience and any established terminology.
Financial translations
Technology and machinery
Manuals and technical documentation need consistent terms, units and clear instructions. Reference material for the machine or product helps.
Technical translations
Software, IT and apps
Software text and websites exported from a CMS need context, intact placeholders and attention to character limits. Share editable exports and explain where the text appears.
Software and app translations
Certificates and official records
For certificates and records used for official purposes, establish the recipient’s requirements first. The overview explains document types, certification and preparation.
Certified document translationsCertificates and records: find the relevant guide
These document guides explain pages, stamps and names. Whether a translation needs certification depends on the recipient’s requirements, rather than the document’s name alone.
Birth certificate
For a birth certificate, the complete record, names, birth details and any marginal annotations matter.
Marriage certificate
For a marriage certificate, names before and after marriage, locations and additional entries may matter.
Academic transcript
For a school report, grades, subject names and supplementary pages may matter.
Graduation diploma
Depending on its version, an Abitur certificate can include several pages of subjects, grades and additional information.
Driving license
For a driving-licence translation, provide the issuing country, card or paper format and the recipient’s instructions.
Certificate of good conduct
A criminal-record certificate may be requested for different recipients and purposes.
Identity card
For an identity card, the front, reverse side, issue details and validity information may all matter.
Certificates and official statements
Certified translations of official certificates and statements for the recipient’s requirements.
Which language do you need for your documents?
Choose a language and tell us the translation direction. The language guides explain regional variants, scripts and terminology, with routes to certified translation for official records.
Explore all 42 languages
Terminology, names and completeness
A glossary, previously approved translations and official name spellings help keep your documents consistent. Identify illegible passages or missing pages in advance. Stamps and annotations can also matter for official records.
Discuss confidential documents with us
We handle your documents confidentially. Discuss any special confidentiality requirements for contracts, business reports or personal records before sending files. Our privacy policy explains the processing of personal data.
Read our privacy policyTranslation guides for your needs
Explore relevant documents, specialist subjects and practical preparation for your assignment.
Employment reference translation
Translate employment and internship references for job applications or a specific official recipient.
Translations for qualification recognition
Prepare certificates, qualifications and supporting records for a defined recognition or admissions procedure in Germany.
Medical translations
Request translation of medical reports into another language after clarifying the specialist requirements.
Answers to your certified translation questions
Use these guides to clarify documents, format and the process before ordering.
- Do I need to send the original document, or is a scan enough?
- Does the whole document need translating, or are selected pages enough?
- Are certified translations ordered online accepted?
Questions about document translation
What is the difference between document translation and certified translation?
Document translation describes translating written material. A certified translation also includes confirmation of accuracy and completeness by a person with the relevant authorization. Ask the recipient whether certification is required.
Can I have a PDF or scanned document translated?
Complete, legible files help us assess the work. Include an editable source file if you have one. We clarify any text capture, layout work and suitable delivery format against your documents.
Can I provide Word, Excel and PowerPoint files?
The file-format overview includes these Office formats. Send editable files and specify the scope, such as comments, worksheets, charts or presentation notes. Agree the output format and special layout requirements in advance.
Should I send every page and reverse side?
Send all pages included in the assignment and clearly identify any excluded content. For official records, reverse sides, stamps and additional annotations may form part of the document. Avoid cropped or blurred images.
How much does it cost to translate a document?
The language pair, volume, subject and any required certification influence the price. Start with the free instant initial estimate in the online shop. We clarify special formats, layout work and deadlines against your files.
Can I see a price without registering?
Yes. The initial online estimate is free, instant and available without registration. It does not place an order. Check the selected service and your details before placing a binding order.
Will the layout of my document stay exactly the same?
Agree the delivery format and layout requirements in advance. Text length changes between languages, and a scan is not an editable template. An exact recreation of the original design is therefore not automatically included.
How quickly can I receive my document translation?
Timing depends on volume, the language pair, legibility and the agreed services. Provide your preferred date and any fixed submission deadline so we can clarify the options for your documents.