FAQ

A specialist translation that includes proofreading by a second native-speaker specialist translator represents the highest level of quality in translations. For contracts or similar, a translation should never be booked without proofreading.

No proofreading is necessary for certified translations. Where a translation is only used for internal or private purposes, proofreading is not absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, we recommend that you ask our staff directly if proofreading makes sense for your translation request.

The ‘Hague Apostille’, or apostille in short, is a form of certification for documents in an international context. It is used by member states of the Hague Convention. The apostille replaced legalisation for some countries and today simplifies the exchange of documents between these member countries. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and the competence of the issuer of the document. An apostille is therefore required for documents that are presented to foreign authorities, for example when emigrating to another country. The apostille confirms the authenticity of the document to the foreign country’s authorities.  

Learn more on the difference between an apostille, legalisation and certification in our article.

Legalisation is another form of certification and may be necessary for non-member states of the Hague Convention. In contrast to an apostille, it can only be issued by embassies or consulates of the country in which the document is presented. For legalisation, the consulate or embassy may require the document to be ‘pre-certified’ in advance by a domestic (German) authority. Thus the authenticity of the document is confirmed by a normal certification.

A certification confirms the authenticity of a document or signature. So signatures, documents, certificates, copies and transcripts of documents as well as translations can be certified. A certified translation confirms the authenticity and correctness of the translation of a document for submission to official authorities. It does not certify the authenticity and correctness of the original document. Certified translations can only be carried out by court-sworn translators.

You need an apostille if the country in which you wish to present your documents is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of 15 October 1961.

You need legalisation if the country in which you wish to present your documents is not a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of 15 October 1961.

Certified translations to be submitted in Germany can only be processed by a translator sworn in Germany.

Different regulations apply depending on the state in which the translation is required. Please check in advance with the competent authority what the necessary requirements are for this translation.

At lingoking, only sworn translators carry out certified translations of documents. We therefore guarantee that our translations are recognised in the United Kingdom.

Invalid or incorrect documents are translated and certified by our sworn translators, but the relevant sections or the entire document are marked with a respective note. We generally accept no liability for the accuracy of the source documents. We only accept liability for the translations produced.

At lingoking, you can pay conveniently by PayPal, direct debit, credit card and bank transfer upon invoice. This guarantees fast and secure processing and allows you to use the lingoking service at short notice and without complications. Please note that payment on invoice is currently only possible for business customers (stating a valid VAT identification number). Our payment terms are 14 days.

lingoking offers you two different delivery options: standard and express. For a standard delivery, the processing time is 3-5 working days, for express 2-3 working days. As soon as the translation is available, you can check it in digital form in your login area. You can either accept the translation or, if something does not quite meet your expectations, request a correction. After your binding acceptance, the order is considered delivered or completed.

Certified translations will only be sent by post after your formal approval. You will find the corresponding consignment number in your login area. This way, you can check the status of your shipment at any time. Please note that from the moment we hand over your certified translation to the Deutsche Post, we no longer have any influence on the delivery time.

If you have booked a scan of the certified translation, you will also receive this after approval.

The cost of shipping varies depending on the service selected. A specialist translation is sent to you digitally: there are no shipping costs. 

We send certified translations by registered post. The following prices apply:

• Shipping costs within Germany included, express costs vary depending on volume
• Shipping costs outside Germany: €5.95, express costs vary depending on destination country

As soon as the translation is available, you can check it in digital form in your login area. You can either accept the translation or, if something does not quite meet your expectations, request a correction. After your binding acceptance, the order is considered delivered or completed. Certified translations are only sent by post after your formal acceptance. You will find the corresponding consignment number in your login area. This way you can check the status of your shipment at any time. Please note that we have no influence on the delivery time from the time of handover to Deutsche Post.

If you have booked a scan of the certified translation, you will also receive this after acceptance.

While simple, non-certified texts can easily be downloaded from our platform for further use, for public bodies and authorities, you usually need a certified translation in the original, which we ship to you by post.

Yes, quality is a top priority at lingoking! We work exclusively according to the criteria of DIN EN ISO 17100. In addition, all lingoking translators are thoroughly vetted and must, among other things, have a recognised degree.

If the delivered text does not meet your expectations, simply contact us by email or chat. We will do everything we can to resolve your issue as quickly as possible.

In general, translators who apply to lingoking must have specific skills, which we check very carefully. For example, they all have a degree from a recognised university, college or technical academy and/or several years of professional experience. Only translators who we consider suitable are accredited.

In addition, although orders on our platform are usually assigned automatically, this is always done according to specific guidelines. Translators always have the relevant expertise required for your translation or are sworn translators if a certified translation is required.

Therefore, you do not need to worry that the translator may not be suitable for your order.