Translation FAQ

Yes. For language pairs and document types available in the shop, you can start online: select the service, source and target languages, document type and pages, provide your files and review the order in the basket. The first estimate is free, instant and requires no registration. Only the binding confirmation places an order. Contact us about special requirements or missing options.

• Certified translation
• Order

Yes. Your first estimate appears instantly without registration and does not place an order. Before a binding order, check the language pair, volume, files, required output, deadline and total. If the shop cannot represent your requirements, send us the documents for an individual assessment.

• Order
• Pricing

Professional translation in the shop is calculated by word count, language pair and subject area. A general word rate does not cover every service or direction. Our pricing page gives specific examples including VAT and net equivalents. Enter your actual project details for a total; extra text revision or layout work needs to be agreed separately.

• Pricing
• Specialized translation

The price depends on document type, language direction and the number of document pages to translate. Reverse sides, stamps and attachments can add to the volume. Our pricing page includes German → English examples with VAT. Extra copies, apostilles and special shipping are separate requirements. The confirmed total for your own order takes precedence.

• Pricing
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Driving license

Turnaround depends on the language pair, volume, subject area, legibility and available capacity. Send complete files and your required deadline so we can confirm feasibility. Paper copies need postal delivery time in addition. Express shipping alone does not speed up the translation; urgent translation work needs a separate agreement.

• Order
• Pricing

The highlighted prices on our pricing page include the stated VAT, with net equivalents alongside. Check the tax calculation for your billing details in the shop. Payment by invoice is available; larger translation orders and billing addresses outside Germany are subject to the advance-payment terms shown. The pricing page explains the current conditions.

• Pricing

For a certified translation in the German context, a suitably sworn or authorised translator confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation with a certification statement. This confirms the translation work, not the authenticity of the original document. The receiving institution and intended use determine the required form and qualifications.

• Certified translation
• Sworn translator

Authorities, universities, courts or other institutions may require certified translations of foreign-language documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or academic records. Before ordering, check the language, scope, form and qualifications required. A certified translation replaces neither the original nor a separately required certified copy.

• Certified translation
• Birth certificate
• Graduation diploma

Official guidance: Recognition in Germany: documents

Titles and requirements vary between jurisdictions and German federal states. For use in Germany, the appropriate sworn or authorised status for the relevant language matters. The justice authorities maintain a public translator database. Tell us the recipient and requirements so the qualifications needed for your order can be clarified.

• Sworn translator

Official guidance: German justice translator database

A complete, legible digital copy, including relevant reverse sides, stamps and attachments, is usually enough for an initial enquiry. Whether the original or a certified copy must be seen for the final certified translation depends on the receiving institution. Check this requirement first and send originals only by prior agreement.

• Certified translation
• File formats

No. Translation certification concerns the accuracy and completeness of the translation. Certifying a copy and confirming a signature or document authenticity are different processes handled by the relevant authorities. Ask the receiving institution exactly what it requires; translating your document does not produce an officially certified copy of the original.

• Certified documents

Official guidance: Federal Foreign Office: translations

A stamp alone does not turn an existing translation into a suitable certified translation. The responsible translator needs to check the source and translation fully and take professional responsibility. After seeing both versions, we can assess whether revision or a new translation is needed. A lower price or quicker turnaround cannot be promised in advance.

• Certified translation

This depends on the document, intended use and recipient. An existing language version or multilingual form may be sufficient; other entries, stamps or attachments may still need translation. Send the complete document and the recipient’s instructions. Any extract or translation of only one language version should be expressly agreed.

• Document translations
• Marriage certificate

A translation is not unsuitable simply because the appropriately qualified translator works in a different German federal state. The receiving institution determines its requirements for qualifications, source documents and output. Tell us about particular instructions before ordering; acceptance for every possible purpose cannot be guaranteed.

• Sworn translator

Requirements differ by destination country, institution and procedure. A translation certified in Germany does not automatically meet every foreign requirement. Tell us the country, recipient and their instructions, including any certification wording, signatures or additional authentication. Have the required form confirmed before commissioning where possible.

• Certified documents

Official guidance: GOV.UK: certifying a translation

An apostille or legalisation authenticates public documents and is separate from translation. Whether it is needed depends on the issuing country, destination and procedure. Ask the recipient about the required sequence so additional endorsements can be translated too. A certified translation alone does not replace a required apostille.

• Certified documents

Official guidance: Federal Foreign Office: apostille and legalisation

What matters is whether the source document and translation are current and unchanged for the particular procedure. The receiving institution may require a recently issued document or other evidence of currency. Check its instructions before reusing a translation instead of assuming one validity period applies to every document.

• Certified translation

Our language directory lists published languages and variants, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and Chinese. Check the actual source and target language and required service in the shop. Contact us if a direction or less common language is missing; availability and timing need individual confirmation.

• Languages
• English
• French

Complete files help us assess volume, legibility, formatting and requirements. Include all needed pages with readable names, dates, stamps, signatures and relevant reverse sides. Add the language pair, recipient, intended use and deadline. Contact us by email or WhatsApp, or use the ordering process; agree the transfer of particularly sensitive documents with us first.

• Order
• File formats

You can arrange delivery or collection at our office in Passau. Send the documents digitally first where possible so we can review the project and arrange a suitable appointment. Our About page provides the address, contacts and office hours. A visit is usually unnecessary for an initial enquiry.

• About
• Passau

Immediate on-site translation or same-day completion cannot be promised generally. Send the document first and state your latest acceptable deadline. After checking the language pair, volume and capacity, we can confirm whether urgent work is feasible. Allow time for any required paper copy and delivery too.

• Order

Professional translations are delivered digitally in the agreed format. Certified paper copies are sent by post or collected by arrangement. Standard shipping within Germany is included; express and international shipping cost extra. Check the address and shipping option before ordering. Have a particular method, such as registered post, expressly confirmed.

• Pricing
• Certified translation

The receiving institution decides. A digital copy of a signed translation is not automatically the same as an accepted electronically certified version. Check whether paper, a scan or a particular electronic format is required. Please agree any additional digital output or special signature requirements with us in advance.

• Certified translation

We work with Word documents, PDFs and other Office files, as well as website, software and layout formats by agreement. Editable source files make formatting easier; scans need to be legible. Translation in a CMS or source code also needs to be agreed. State your required output format before ordering.

• File formats
• Websites
• Apps and Software

We handle your documents confidentially for the agreed work. The translators assigned and necessary service providers may need access to deliver the service. Our privacy notice explains purposes, recipients and further information. For particularly sensitive documents or confidentiality agreements, discuss the requirements and transfer method with us beforehand.

• Privacy

Select the subject area and language pair and provide the complete texts. State your audience, intended use, terminology, reference material and deadline. Website, software and manual projects also need file-format details and any layout or interface requirements. This helps establish the scope and specialist knowledge required.

• Specialized translations
• Websites
• Manuals
• Finance
• Marketing
• Legal
• Technology and Engineering

Proofreading checks spelling, grammar and punctuation, plus agreed aspects of hyphenation and typography. Editing also addresses style, expression and clarity, such as sentence structure, repetition and coherence. We agree the scope of revision and responsibility for the content. Tell us the language variant, audience and intended use.

• Proofreading
• Editing

Send both the complete source text and the existing version and state the review you need. A language-only proofread is not a full comparison of the translation against its source. Any required certified version also needs appropriate qualifications and professional responsibility. We assess suitability and effort before committing.

• Proofreading
• Certified translation

Translation transfers written texts into another language; interpreting conveys spoken language in conversations or at events. Choose translation for documents. Appointments, negotiations, conferences and wedding ceremonies need an appropriate interpreting assignment, with the relevant languages and any necessary qualifications.

• Interpreting
• Specialized translations

Depending on the assignment, consecutive interpreting follows sections of speech, while simultaneous interpreting is delivered almost at the same time. Certain authority, court or notarial appointments may require sworn status. Provide the languages, purpose, participant count, location, date and duration so format, equipment and availability can be clarified.

• Interpreting
• Court interpreters

Court hearings and certain appointments with authorities or notaries can have particular requirements for sworn status and language. Ask the institution which qualifications are required and who commissions the interpreter. Send us the purpose, invitation, languages, location, date and expected duration for assessment.

• Court interpreters
• Interpreting

The price depends on languages, interpreting format, duration, subject area and required qualifications. Preparation, travel, waiting time and equipment may also matter and need prior agreement. Germany’s JVEG governs the appointments within its scope, rather than acting as a general price list for private assignments. Send your assignment details for a specific calculation.

• Interpreting
• Interpreting

Official guidance: JVEG: scope and remuneration