FAQ: Do you have questions on the topic “birth certificates and their translation?” You can find the most important answers here:

Do you have questions about birth certificate translation for Germany?

• + Is the translation of the birth certificate obligatory in Germany?

  There is no obligation to translate foreign birth certificates into German. In principle, all properly issued birth certificates from abroad are recognised in Germany.

• + What documents do I need for registration in the German birth register?

  If you or your child were born abroad and have German citizenship, it is possible to have this birth subsequently entered in a German birth register.
  
  

  The following documents are usually required for this:
  • Identity card or passport
  • Foreign birth certificate
  • Birth certificates of the parents of the person born abroad
  • Naturalisation certificate or citizenship certificate (if naturalised at a later date)
  
  

  Note:
  Foreign documents must be translated by a sworn translator in Germany.

• + When do I need the translation of the birth certificate?

  For marriage, naturalisation, the application for parental allowance and many other occasions, the authorities require a certified translation of the birth certificate.
  
  

  These include:
  ➤ First application for an identity card or passport
  ➤ Marriages
  ➤ Establishment of a civil partnership
  ➤ Naturalisation
  ➤ Emigration
  ➤ Change of name
  ➤ Deaths
  ➤ in some states also when buying real estate abroad
  ➤ Applying for parental allowance (Elterngeld) and parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus)
  ➤ Applying for child benefit
  ➤ Acknowledgement of paternity
  ➤ Custody issues
  ➤ Maternity benefit (health insurance)
  ➤ Baptisms
  

• + Birth certificate to apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) and parental allowance plus (ElterngeldPlus)

  In order to be able to apply for parental allowance (Elterngeld) at the responsible parental allowance office, you will need, among other things, the child's birth certificate. For children born outside the EU, you may need to provide a certified translation of the birth certificate. For children born in a country of the European Union, a copy of the birth certificate is often sufficient.

• + Birth certificate to apply for child benefit for foreigners

  If you live in Germany with your children and have a residence title, you are entitled to child benefit according to § 62 I EStG (Income Tax Act). To successfully apply for child benefit, you need the child's birth certificate. If the birth certificate was not issued in German, you will need a certified translation of the birth certificate.

Do you have questions about birth certificate translation in other countries??

• + Authentication (legalisation & apostille) for abroad

  If you need a birth certificate issued in Germany abroad, it may sometimes be necessary to have this document "authenticated". An authentication is merely an additional attestation clause confirming the accuracy of the signature. There are two forms of authentication: legalisation and apostille according to the Hague Convention.
  
  

  ➤ The apostille is sufficient for all states that have acceded to the Hague Convention (complete list here). The Hague Convention implemented the exemption of foreign public documents from legalisation on 5 October 1961 (Federal Law Gazette 1965 II, p. 876). Accordingly, an apostille is a form of certification in international document traffic and verifies the authenticity of a document and all its components — including the signature, the capacity of the signatory and the authenticity of the seal and stamp. The apostille is attached to the corresponding document and is mostly required for official certifications.
  ➤ All other documents are endorsed with the legalisation mark.

• + What do I have to pay attention to when translating my birth certificate for abroad?

  The certification of our translations is carried out by translators who are sworn in by the courts in Germany and is standardly accepted abroad.
  
  Depending on the destination country, it is sometimes necessary to have the certified translation authenticated. The court where the translator is sworn in is responsible for this. With the authentication, the court issues an internationally valid confirmation that the translator is sworn in Germany and authorised to provide certified translations.
  
  Tip: Check with the local authority, consulate or competent body in the country of destination to find out what requirements apply in your case.

• + Do I need a certification or is a simple specialist translation of my birth certificate sufficient for abroad?

  Since this is an official document, a certified translation is usually also necessary for the document to be accepted by the foreign authority.
  
  

  Tip: If you have to submit the translation to the consulate, make sure you check whether the translation is to be done explicitly by a translator registered at the consulate. The consulate will be happy to give you information on this.

Do you have questions relating to theordering/translation process of birth certificates?

• + Where can I have my birth certificate translated and certified?

  No matter whether you live in Munich, Berlin or Hamburg — lingoking will be happy to translate your birth certificate for you, quite simply online. Of course, we only use court sworn translators to translate your birth certificate — around the clock!

• + What does the translation of a birth certificate cost?

  At lingoking you can get a translation of a birth certificate with certification and quality control for as little as 72.90 euros including shipping. For a small surcharge, you can also order additional certified copies and an additional digital version. You will receive your certified translation not only by post, but also digitally as a scan. In addition, if you need the translation very quickly, our express translation service with express shipping is also available. Brilliant!
  
  Let the lingoking price calculator show you the exact costs for your translation now. The best thing is: With us you can also order the translation right away. At lingoking, we guarantee the highest quality, fast implementation and your complete satisfaction — all at an unbeatable price.

• + What documents do I need for the translation of my birth certificate?

  The original is not necessary for the translation, a copy (e.g. a scan) is sufficient! You will receive the certified translation of your document by registered mail to your home. We translate birth certificates into German as well as German birth certificates into any desired language. No matter whether French, Russian, Polish, English, Romanian, Italian, Turkish or Farsi. Of course with certification by court sworn translators!

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