State the matter and the Standesamt
Does your matter concern a marriage, birth, name declaration or the submission of a foreign document, for example? If possible, also name the competent Standesamt.
Purpose · Standesamt
Prepare documents and interpreting appointments for the Standesamt
For birth certificates, marriage certificates and in-person appointments, the specific matter and the requirements of the competent Standesamt are decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste clarifies the language, document type and intended purpose with you.
Guidance
Two different tasks: translating a document or interpreting a conversation
Under § 2 of the German Civil Status Regulation (Personenstandsverordnung), a German translation should be required for foreign-language documents. If a person involved does not understand German and the registry office does not have staff who speak the relevant language, 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 documents, provide the source language, required target language and any existing endorsements. For an appointment, the date, location, purpose and language combination are helpful.
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 receiving authority specifies the exact requirement. Distinguishing between these terms helps avoid queries before you place an order.
- Certified translation
- Confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation when issued by a duly 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 required target language
- competent 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 the matter and the requirements of the competent Standesamt. Ask the Standesamt to confirm the required format; ABBA-Sprachendienste can then identify the appropriate translation service.
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
State the document type or appointment, language combination, competent Standesamt and deadline. Send sensitive documents only via the designated secure channel.
