Guide · Certified translations
Do international or multilingual certificates need a translation?
Your certificate contains several languages or is described as international. Whether translation can be omitted depends on the record and the intended procedure.
Reviewed on 27 October 2026
The short answer
Being multilingual alone does not settle the question. For certain public documents in the EU, multilingual standard forms can simplify or remove translation requirements. International certificates under other agreements are a separate category. Identify the exact version you hold and the recipient’s needs.
Distinguish a multilingual document from a translation aid
A document may itself contain several languages. An EU multilingual standard form is instead a translation aid accompanying a public record. It is not an independent replacement for that record and is provided by the competent issuing authority.
The EU framework concerns certain public documents exchanged between member-state authorities. It does not generally require every private university, bank or company to accept every multilingual record without another translation.
Read more: European e-Justice Portal: multilingual standard forms
Check which content is actually covered
Compare the form and record. Do the person, document type and reference match? Does the record include handwriting, marginal entries or attachments that the language fields do not explain? Mention those differences in your enquiry.
An officially issued bilingual certificate is another situation from adding your own translated text. Ask the responsible recipient to confirm whether that precise language version is sufficient. The word international on a cover sheet does not establish the match.
Determine the need before ordering the scope
Ask the recipient for feedback on the version you hold. If particular contents are missing, ask what supplementary material is needed. Do not independently order only the non-German words; a complete, traceable connection may still be required.
Send us the entire record, associated forms and recipient’s response. That helps prepare a targeted assignment without overlooking an available simplification. Obtaining an official form is not a translation service.
Your next steps
Identify the document and type of multilingual version.
Review its record, form and attachments together.
Check acceptance of that exact combination with the recipient.
Commission only the translation scope confirmed as necessary.
More questions
Is an international birth certificate always exempt from translation?
That depends on its type, recipient and procedure. Do not rely on the description alone.
Can I fill in the EU form myself?
It is an officially issued translation aid. Contact the responsible issuing authority for the appropriate version.
Do simplifications automatically bind every private recipient?
No. A private recipient may have different requirements from the authorities covered by a particular rule.
Sources and further reading
The receiving organisation’s current instructions matter for your assignment. Send them to us with your documents.
Prepare your documents and requirements
Start with a free initial estimate or discuss any special requirements with us.
Free, no registration and not yet an order.