Translations
In translations of civil-status documents (e.g., birth certificates), given and family names written in Cyrillic must be rendered via transliteration. This often requires the use of diacritical marks—small signs such as dots or accents attached to letters. The applicable standard is ISO 9, as published by the International Organization for Standardization. Civil registries frequently demand such translations. In these cases, personal names are transliterated according to ISO 9, and the translator must affirm in their translation that this ISO standard has been applied.
Example (Transliteration): Ж → Ž
Transcription is not the same as transliteration, despite the similarity of the terms. Depending on the context—linguistics, music, or biology—the word “transcription” can have different meanings. In linguistics, it refers to representing spoken words of one language in writing, typically to facilitate spelling and, in part, pronunciation.
Example (Transcription): Ж → [ʐ] (using the International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA)
Not every professional translator may produce certified translations. Only those who have been sworn in or officially appointed by a court or governmental authority in Germany are entitled to do so. This ensures the legal recognition of the translation.
The requirement for a certified translation does not stem from a single statute but arises from various legal and administrative regulations, depending on the context. Key provisions include:
§ 142 of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO): Courts may require a certified translation when foreign-language documents are submitted as evidence in civil proceedings.
§ 184 of the Courts Constitution Act (GVG): German is the official language in German courts; foreign-language documents must therefore be translated—generally by an authorized translator.
§ 129 of the Civil Code (BGB): Governs formal requirements for instruments and, in certain cases, mandates a certified translation.
§ 23 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG): Sets German as the administrative language, requiring foreign documents to be submitted in German, often via an authorized translator.
A certified translation confirms that a copy or transcript corresponds exactly to the original, through a sworn statement by the translator, bearing their signature and official stamp or seal. Only a translator appointed and authorized by an official body (e.g., a Higher Regional Court) may issue such translations. The translated document will include the translator’s certification, stamp, and signature.
Example (Duden Transcription): Ж → Sch
Example (Transliteration): Ж → Ž
Apostille
An apostille certifies the authenticity of a public document, including the validity of the signatures and seals it bears. Apostilles cannot be issued by translators, as they do not have the authority to verify an original document’s authenticity.
Validity Abroad
A certified translation produced in Germany by an authorized translator is not automatically recognized in all other countries. Certain jurisdictions may require additional legalization such as an apostille, to officially accept the translation.
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Transliteration
When you translate civil-status documents (like birth certificates) from Cyrillic, names must be converted letter by letter—that’s called transliteration. Because some sounds don’t map neatly into the Latin alphabet, you’ll often see diacritical marks (dots, accents, etc.). We follow ISO 9, the international standard. Registry offices usually insist on this, and your translator will confirm in writing that they’ve applied ISO 9.
Example: Cyrillic Ж → Latin Ž
Transcription
Transcription isn’t the same as transliteration, even though the words sound alike. In linguistics, transcription captures how a word sounds, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), for instance—making pronunciation clearer.
Example: Cyrillic Ж → IPA [ʐ]
Authorized Translators
Not every translator can produce “official” translations. In Germany, only those sworn in or appointed by a court or government agency can issue certified (beglaubigte) translations. This official status guarantees that your translated document will be legally recognized.
Key legal bases include:
ZPO § 142: Courts may ask for certified translations of foreign-language documents as evidence.
GVG § 184: German is the court’s official language; foreign documents need an authorized translation.
BGB § 129: Formal rules for legal instruments—sometimes requiring certification.
VwVfG § 23: German is the language for administrative procedures; foreign documents must be translated.
Certified Translations
A certified translation comes with the translator’s signed declaration and official stamp or seal, affirming it’s complete and accurate. Only a court-appointed, authorized translator may do this. You’ll see their certification directly on the translated pages.
Examples
Duden-style transcription: Ж → Sch
ISO 9 transliteration: Ж → Ž
Super-Legalized Translations
Sometimes you need an extra layer of validation. A notary adds a sworn affidavit to your certified translation—signing and stamping it—to prove the translator’s identity and authority.
Apostille
An apostille verifies that a public document’s signatures and seals are genuine. Translators can’t issue apostilles—that must be done in the country where the original document was created.
Using Your Translation Abroad
Even a perfectly certified translation from Germany may not be automatically accepted everywhere. Some countries ask for an apostille or further legalizations to recognize it.
Quick-Reference Glossary
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