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

Do you have questions on the topic translation of diplomas for Germany?

• + What do I have to consider for the translation and certification of my certificate into German?

  In order for your certificates to be recognised in Germany, the recognition offices require translations of the certificates into German. It is imperative that the translation is certified.

• + Where can I have my school-leaving qualification recognised in Germany?

  The school-leaving qualification is part of the so-called authorisation system and enables further school or professional career. It plays a decisive role in everyone's life, not only in Germany. It is also of vital importance worldwide. There are four possible school-leaving qualifications in Germany.
  
  For recognition of the following diplomas, please contact the certificate recognition offices in your federal state:
  
  

  ➤ Hauptschulabschluss(Lower secondary school certificate)
  ➤ Realschulabschluss(Secondary school certificate)
  ➤ Allgemeine Hochschulreife (General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur))
  ➤ Fachhochschulreife(University of applied sciences entrance qualification)
  
  

  In the case of higher education qualifications such as degrees or Bachelor's certificates, but also in the case of vocational qualifications, you can find the competent body on the website "Recognition in Germany".
  
  

  You can also obtain further information in a personal interview at your local employment agency or at the advisory centres in the support programme "Integration through qualification.

• + Is it true that in many cases the job centre pays for the costs of recognising my qualification?

  The recognition of qualifications and the certified translation of certificates cost money. In many cases, the job centre or other agencies cover the costs of translations.
  
  

  Tip: Clarify the assumption of costs with your employment agency or job centre before submitting your application. At lingoking, you will receive an invoice for each ordered translation, which you can present to the job centre for assumption of costs. Incidentally, there are other agencies besides the job centre where you can apply for a reimbursement of costs for your translations, e.g. the recognition grant from the German Government.
  
  

  If you meet the following requirements, you can be reimbursed for costs of up to €600 for your translations:
  
  

  ➤ You have acquired a vocational qualification abroad that you would like to have recognised in Germany.
  ➤ You have been registered with your main residence in Germany for 3 months.
  ➤ Your annual income is less than € 26,000 (€ 40,000 for married persons).
  
  

  Note: The grant will be paid upon presentation of the invoices for your translation.

• + What documents do I need to have my certificate recognised?

  For the recognition procedure, you must submit a number of documents as translations or certified copies. Please enquire in advance at the advisory or recognition office what documents are required. The requirements vary depending on the applicant's country of origin. Here you will find an overview of the documents required, listed by country.
  
  

  Usually the following documents are required:
  
  

  ➤ Application for recognition of your qualifications (can be obtained from the competent office)
  ➤ ID card
  ➤ Proof of name changes
  ➤ Residence permit (for refugees/asylum seekers "proof of arrival — AKN")
  ➤ Certificates
  ➤ Curriculum vitae in German
  
  

  The following documents must be submitted in the form of a certified translation:
  
  

  ➤ Proof of your vocational or educational qualification (diploma, e.g. degree from your university)
  ➤ Proof of the content and duration of the completed training (e.g. list of subjects and marks of the training, study record, diploma supplement, transcript of records)
  ➤ Other qualifications (e.g. certificates of further training or retraining)
  

Do you have questions on the topic translation of certificates for abroad?

• + What do I have to pay attention to when having my certificate translated into a foreign language?

  Whether it's a school report, a university certificate, a police clearance certificate, an employer's reference, an internship reference or a licence to practise medicine — depending on the employer or authority, professional translations are required abroad, usually in the number one business language: English. In some cases, these must be certified by a sworn translator in order to be legally valid. Our translations are certified by translators who are sworn in by the courts in Germany. These are also standardly recognised abroad.

• + Is the translation of my certificate a necessity for abroad?

  Unlike in Germany, fewer documents are usually required for an application in the Anglo-American world — often only a motivational letter or letter of application and CV are necessary. Thus, in most cases, not all certificates need to be translated.
  
  

  However, bear in mind: Employer's references, should they not be compulsory, prove that the information you provided in your CV is true and pass on the good impression your previous employers had of you. Translated university certificates can also present you in a good light. It is therefore best to clarify which documents are required in a personal telephone call with the potential future employer. Only in this way can you be sure that your documents are complete in the sense of the recipient.

• + Can I translate my certificate myself?

  There are subtle nuances and differentiations in every language which — even with a very good command of the foreign language — can hardly be adhered to and translated accurately as a non-professional. In general, we therefore advise against translating certificates by yourself. This weakens your credibility with your future employer and rarely makes a professional impression. You may even falsify your certificates to your disadvantage. With authorities, a (usually inaccurate) translation without certification is not legally valid anyway.
  
  

  Even as a native German speaker, one has to admit that the language used in German certificates is a science in itself. It is therefore better to opt for a professional translator who is guaranteed to translate the content of your certificates with perfect grammar and expression. An additional quality control, a so-called proofreading, by a second native-speaker specialist translator offers even more security and is part of the standard procedure of professional translation agencies.

• + Do I need a certified translation of my diploma?

  A certification by a sworn translator legally assures the accuracy of the translation. Thus, you give a better impression with that. Authorities, offices, universities and even some companies even mandatorily require a certified translation.
  
  

  Also find out whether an official transfer is necessary or desirable: School and higher education systems and their certificates and degrees vary greatly from country to country. For this reason, there are authorities in each country that do not translate the certificates and documents, but can issue certificates stating which degree has which validity and significance in the respective country. In some cases, the universities also offer a transfer table — it is best to have this translated directly as well.

• + What do I need to know if I want to have a certificate translated?

  Certificates as well as all issued documents should in most cases be translated and certified. Only certified translations can ensure that your translated documents are officially recognised.
  
  

  Not only relevant pages, but all pages belonging to the certificate should be translated and certified.
  
  

  Certified translations cannot be made by oneself, as a certification stamp is required for this. This can be obtained only by state-certified translators, after they have applied for it at the regional court. Self-made translations are not recognised as official documents.
  
  

  All certificates can be relevant when applying to a university abroad. However, the higher education entrance qualification and transcripts of records (overview of marks of the studies completed to date according to the European standard) are particularly relevant here.
  
  

  When applying for a job in a company abroad, university degrees and references from previous employers are required. Of course, a curriculum vitae must not be missing. It is also preferable to have this translated by a professional translator in order to avoid possible mistakes. (A certification is not necessary.)
  
  

  The certified translation of school certificates plays a major role especially when families with children emigrate and the educational level of the students needs to be determined for integration into the foreign school system.

Do you have questions on the topic ordering/translation process of certificates?

• + What is a certified translation?

  A certified translation is the translation of an official document, provided with the translator's attestation clause. Such a translation can only be carried out by court-certified translators. The translator confirms the accuracy of the translation with his/her signature, stamp and attestation clause. The authenticity of the translation is thus guaranteed in a legally binding manner. When you order your translation from lingoking, we guarantee that the translation will be carried out by a court sworn translator.
  
  

  Additional quality assurance is provided by the 4-eyes principle — as well as our certification according to the European quality standard DIN EN ISO 17100 for translation services. If you need to get it done quickly, we also offer an express service that allows you to meet even the tightest deadlines. Of course, we will treat your documents confidentially!

• + Where can I have my diploma translated and certified?

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

• + How much does the translation of my diploma cost?

  The cost of translating the diploma depends on the source and target language of the document. Widely used languages are usually cheaper than "exotic" languages.
  
  

  At lingoking, you can get a translation of a diploma with certification and quality control for as little as 60.50 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 quickly, our express service with express shipping is also available. Ingenious!
  
  

  Let the lingoking price calculator show you the exact costs for the translation of your certificate 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 diploma?

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