Tell us the matter and the Standesamt
Is it about a marriage, a birth, a name declaration or submitting a foreign document, for example? If possible, also tell us which Standesamt is responsible.
Purpose · Standesamt
Prepare documents and interpreting appointments for the Standesamt
With birth certificates, marriage certificates and in-person appointments, what matters is the specific case and the requirements of the Standesamt responsible. ABBA-Sprachendienste clarifies the language, document type and intended use with you.
Guidance
Two different tasks: translating a document or interpreting a conversation
§ 2 of the German Civil Status Regulation (Personenstandsverordnung) provides that a German translation should be requested for documents in a foreign language. If a person involved does not understand German and the registry office (Standesamt) cannot cover the language itself, an interpreter must be engaged. Please ask the relevant registry office directly which documents it requires in your case.
§ 2 PersonenstandsverordnungOfficial basis for foreign-language documents and interpreters at the Standesamt.
Process
The right enquiry in three steps
Assess your documents or appointment
For certificates, we need the source language, the target language you need and any existing endorsements. For an appointment, it helps to know the date, location, occasion and language combination.
Have the requirements confirmed
ABBA-Sprachendienste prepares the appropriate translation or assesses the interpreting enquiry. The Standesamt makes the binding decision on which documents must be submitted.
Distinguishing the terms
Not every form of certification means the same thing
The exact requirement comes from the authority receiving the document. Knowing the difference helps avoid follow-up questions before you place an order.
- Certified translation
- The accuracy and completeness of the translation are confirmed by an appropriately authorised or sworn translator.
- Certified copy
- Confirms that a copy matches the original. This is not the same as certifying a translation.
- Apostille
- Confirms the authenticity of a public document for certain international uses. It is not a translation and is not issued by ABBA.
Preparation
This information speeds up the assessment
- Type and country of issue of the certificate
- Source language and the target language you need
- responsible Standesamt and specific matter
- Deadline or appointment date
- Requirements specified by the Standesamt, if already available
Frequently asked questions
Does the Standesamt always require a certified translation?
That depends on your case and on the requirements of the Standesamt responsible. Ask them to confirm the format they need; ABBA-Sprachendienste will then work out the right translation service for you.
Is an apostille the same as a certified translation?
No. An apostille confirms the authenticity of a public document for certain international uses. A certified translation confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation.
Can ABBA provide an interpreter for an appointment at the Standesamt?
ABBA-Sprachendienste assesses interpreting enquiries based on the purpose, location, date, duration and language combination. You should ask the Standesamt in advance whether a specific qualification is required.
Prepare a Standesamt enquiry
Tell us the document type or appointment, language combination, responsible Standesamt and deadline. Only send sensitive documents via the secure channel provided for this.
