Nuremberg: Sworn translators reporting on certified translations

Certified translations into numerous languages are required in Nuremberg

When dealing with Nuremberg authorities, all sorts of formal requirements have to be fulfilled. Many documents have to be certified to obtain legal validity. When translating official documents and preparing certified translations, there are specific rules as well: They have to be prepared and marked accordingly by a translator who is sworn in Germany. This does not only apply to translations into German, but also to translations in the other direction. Only publicly appointed translators are allowed to certify their translation, e.g., of school reports or diplomas, from or into German. What is a certification? Definition – a certification is the personal attestation of the translator that the translation from the respective language is true and complete. The sworn translator certifies this with their attestation clause, signature and stamp.

Significance of certified translations of documents and certificates

Not only documents concerning education require a certified translation in order to be acknowledged by public offices and authorities. Especially when it comes to certificates of vital records, a certified translation by a publicly appointed and sworn translator is imperative in most cases. Only if the translator who is sworn for the respective language by a court applies their attestation clause, stamp and signature, the translation of the birth certificate, marriage certificate or death certificate becomes a legally valid, official document.

What kind of qualification must sworn translators have and how can they obtain it?

Qualified translators can be trained in Erlangen, Bavaria

In theory, anyone can call themselves a translator as the professional title is not protected in Germany. In practice, however, a thorough training is necessary to be able to work as specialist translator. The Nuremberg region offers ideal conditions for this: Aspiring translators can earn their degree as “state certified translator” for English, French, Spanish or Russian at the Institut für Fremdsprachen und Auslandskunde (Institute for Foreign Languages and Area Studies) in Erlangen. Besides language-specific topics, profound knowledge is imparted in the subject areas of law, economics, technology or the humanities. Moreover, students can also be trained as interpreters and learn the different interpreting techniques such as simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.

How to become a sworn translator? Public appointment at the competent regional court

While, by the way, court interpreters must not necessarily be sworn, all officially recognised translations must be done by publicly appointed translators. The appointment takes place at the local Landgericht, which translates to regional court, on the condition that the translator not only has successfully completed their degree as state certified translator but also that the translator has a clear criminal record for the 5 years prior to the appointment and that no insolvency proceedings are pending against them. The publicly appointed translator then receives what is known as Bestallungsurkunde (appointment certificate) from the president of the regional court or the deputy judge.

Finding the best translators in Nuremberg and Fürth

With regard to the great importance of official translations, translating official documents is even offered as an individual subject at the Institute for Foreign Languages and Area Studies in Erlangen. This course deals with formatting questions but also with specific technical terms from the legal field and their translation. At our translation office AP Fachübersetzungen located in Nuremberg, appropriately trained and highly qualified translators prepare certified translations of criminal records, ID cards, driver’s licences or contracts in all common languages. Moreover, we also offer medical, legal, technical and pharmaceutical translations. Even if a certification of the translation is not required, quality in terms of knowledge of the subject and language as well as first-class service are of the utmost importance to us. Please contact us if you require certified translations or specialist translations or if you are looking for an interpreter in Nuremberg, Fürth or the surrounding area!