What is a sworn translator?
A sworn translator works with written documents and can confirm the accuracy and completeness of a translation. The relevant appointment, oath or authorization depends on the applicable rules and the receiving institution’s requirements.
Official designations differ between German federal states. You may encounter sworn, publicly appointed or authorized translators. What matters is the individual’s relevant credentials and language, rather than the name of a translation agency alone.
In Bavaria, public appointment and the general oath are handled by the responsible president of a regional court (Landgericht). Requirements include professional knowledge and personal suitability. The Bavarian justice administration explains the criteria.
Appointment and oath: Bavarian justice administration
What does a certified translation confirm?
Certification confirms the translation’s accuracy and completeness. For the paper form, Bavarian law specifies elements including a certification clause, place, date, signature and stamp. Translation certification does not replace certification of a document copy or a separately required apostille.
Ask the receiving institution which language, format and supporting evidence it requires. Send its instructions with your documents. We clarify the work against those requirements, including documents for use abroad.
Translation certification under Article 62 AGGVGHow can I find and check a suitable sworn translator?
Germany’s official justice database lets you search by name, location and language. Check whether you need a person for written translation or for spoken interpreting.
Search for the person and language
Use the official database to search by name or required language. A location can narrow the search; also discuss the translation direction you need.
Read the individual entry
Open the individual result and review the activity, languages and appointment or authorization details. An agency name by itself does not verify an individual’s credentials.
Match the work to the requirements
Identify the recipient, purpose and required form. We clarify what your documents need against that information.
Translator or interpreter: which service do you need?
Translate a written document
For certificates, school records and supporting documents, use certified translation when your recipient requires a certified version. The service overview explains document types, preparation and the process.
Explore certified translationsInterpret a spoken appointment
An appointment at a court, notary or authority involves spoken interpreting. This is a separate activity. Give the date, location, languages and required interpreter credentials.
Read about court interpretersWhen do I need a certified translation?
Authorities, universities, courts and other recipients may require a certified translation. These guides help you prepare the relevant pages, annotations and official name spellings.
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.
Certification
For a general confirmation or certificate, its exact title, issuer and intended use help identify the category.
Which language do you need?
The language guides explain scripts, names and translation direction. They are not a list of individually confirmed translators. We clarify the relevant credentials and document requirements for your particular assignment.
English
English (USA)
French
Polish
Arabic
Turkish
Russian
Afrikaans
Spanish
Italian
Portuguese (Portugal)
Portuguese (Brazil)
What do we need for your documents?
- Complete, legible scans or photographs of all required pages, including relevant reverse sides and stamps.
- Source and target languages, together with existing official name spellings.
- The receiving institution, intended use and its instructions on the form of the translation.
- Your preferred deadline and any instructions about originals or supporting evidence.
A digital copy is often enough to start. Check the recipient’s instructions to establish whether originals or further supporting evidence are needed.
Your contact in Passau, Germany
in a language helps with document translations for official purposes. We help you bring together the language pair, complete files and recipient’s requirements. Contact us directly by phone, email or WhatsApp.
More about in a languageConfidential handling of your documents
We handle your personal documents confidentially. Tell us about special confidentiality requirements before sending files so that we can agree them for the assignment. Our privacy policy explains the handling of personal data.
Read our privacy policyQuestions about sworn translators
What is the difference between sworn, publicly appointed and authorized translators?
These descriptions occur in different German federal states. The official designation depends on the state and activity. Check the individual’s entry and relevant language in the justice database, and agree the evidence required with your recipient.
Is every translator automatically a sworn translator?
No. Language skills or working for a translation agency alone do not prove a public appointment or authorization. For a certified document translation, the relevant credentials of the individual translator and the language matter.
Does the translator have to be based in my city?
You can provide files online for the initial estimate and preparation. Tell us the recipient and its instructions so that we can clarify the required format and whether originals are needed. Location alone does not replace that check.
Can I request certified translations for English, Arabic or other languages?
Choose the relevant language guide and specify the source and target languages, document type and recipient. The language directory provides orientation. We clarify the relevant credentials and specific assignment requirements against your information.
Will every institution accept a certified translation?
The recipient determines the translation and form it requires. Send its instructions with your documents. A certified copy, apostille or other evidence may be a separate requirement and is not automatically replaced by translation certification.
Do I need a sworn translator for a court appointment?
You need an interpreter for a conversation and a translator for written documents. Specify both services separately if needed. The court-interpreting page explains the appointment details and credentials to clarify before making a request.
Can I see a price for free without registering?
Yes. The existing online shop provides a free, instant initial estimate without registration. Your estimate does not place an order. We clarify special instructions, deadlines and extra copies against your files.
How are my personal documents handled?
We handle your files confidentially. Tell us about special confidentiality requirements beforehand. The privacy policy explains personal-data processing; contact us personally if you have questions.