Translations for Recognition of Education
Certified translations of diplomas, certificates and qualification documents
If you would like to use a foreign diploma, school certificate, professional qualification or education document in Germany, German authorities, chambers, universities or other institutions may require documents in German. In such cases, certified translations of diplomas, certificates, diploma supplements, subject lists, grade records, transcripts of records, Diploma Supplements, training documents, licences, certificates or employment records are often needed.
Nachtigal Services provides certified translations from Russian and English into German, as well as in the opposite direction. We do not provide recognition consulting and do not assess which documents are required or sufficient for your procedure. Please order translations only for the documents you personally wish to have translated according to the requirements of your competent authority.
1. What Nachtigal Services provides
We translate the documents you instruct us to translate. In the context of education and qualification recognition, these are often education records, training documents, employment records and other qualification documents. Upon request, the translation can be prepared as a certified translation.
Translation
We translate the content of your documents into the requested target language and take visible stamps, signatures, tables, notes and attachments into account.
Certification of the translation
In a certified translation, the translator confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation based on the visible document content.
Price estimate
Based on language, scope, readability, tables, stamps and number of pages, you receive information on price and processing time.
Clear limitation of service
We do not provide recognition consulting, application consulting, assessments of recognition prospects or checks of whether your document package is complete. The question of whether a specific document is required, sufficient or accepted by an authority is decided exclusively by the competent authority.
2. Documents often translated for recognition procedures
The following overview shows typical types of documents that clients often have translated in connection with the recognition of education or qualifications in Germany. This list is not a required-document checklist and does not replace the requirements of the competent authority.
| Document | Typical content | Relevant for translation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma / graduation certificate | Qualification, educational institution, date, registration number. | Qualification title, stamps, signatures, reverse sides. | We translate what you order and provide in full. |
| School certificate / final certificate | Subjects, grades, completion details, examination data. | Tables, grades, grading system, signatures. | Please send multi-page documents in full. |
| Diploma supplement / subject list | Subjects, hours, modules, exams, grades. | Subject titles, abbreviations, hours, grading scale. | For Russian diplomas, the supplement is often a separate document. |
| Transcript of Records | Modules, credits, grades, exams, academic achievements. | Credits, grading scale, tables, explanations. | English-language documents can also be translated into German on request. |
| Diploma Supplement | Level, status, content and structure of the study programme. | Multi-page attachments, tables, institutional details. | Please send all pages in the correct order. |
| Employment reference / proof of professional activity | Employer, period, position, duties. | Periods, functions, stamps, signatures. | The translation is provided without assessing the document’s relevance for recognition. |
| Professional licence / authorisation | Authority, licence, professional title, validity. | Validity details, issuing authority, scope of authorisation. | Please order this translation only if you need this document translated. |
| Certificates / further training | Course, issuing organisation, number of hours, certificate number. | Course content, duration, issuer, stamps. | You decide which certificates you would like to have translated. |
3. What matters for price calculation
For a realistic price estimate, we do not need to review your recognition procedure. We need information about the translation scope: language, number of pages, readability, tables, stamps, signatures, handwritten notes and attachments.
Language
Please specify the exact language direction, for example Russian–German, English–German or German–English.
Scope
Please send all pages of the document, including attachments, tables, reverse sides and grading scales.
Readability
The more legible the scan or photo, the faster the translation scope can be assessed.
Deadline
Please indicate by when you need the translation.
No content-based document review
If you send several documents, they are reviewed only to estimate translation scope, price and processing time. We do not assess whether these documents are complete, required or sufficient for your recognition procedure.
4. Certified translation, certified copy and original
These terms are often confused. For ordering a translation, it is important to understand that a certified translation is not the same as an officially certified copy. Which form of document your authority requires must be clarified directly with that authority.
Certified translation
Confirmation of the accuracy and completeness of the translation by the translator.
Officially certified copy
Confirmation that a copy corresponds to the original. This refers to the copy, not to the translation.
Original document
Originals should not be sent without an explicit request. For a translation request, a clearly legible scan is usually sufficient at first.
Please follow the requirements of your authority
Whether originals, simple copies, officially certified copies or certified translations are required is determined by the competent authority. Nachtigal Services does not provide a binding assessment on this matter.
5. Russian and English education documents
Education documents differ depending on the country, education system and issuing institution. For a high-quality translation, names, tables, stamps, grades, subject details and attachments must be fully visible.
Russian diplomas and certificates
For Russian documents, the diploma and supplement may be separate documents. We translate the documents you order.
- ✓Diploma / diploma supplement
- ✓Subjects, hours and grades
- ✓Name preferably as stated in the passport
- ✓Stamps and signatures should be fully visible
English-language documents and transcripts
For English-language documents, degree titles, module titles, credits, grading scales and institutional details are relevant.
- ✓Transcript of Records
- ✓Diploma Supplement
- ✓Degree Certificate
- ✓Grading scale / credits
6. How to send documents for translation
The following list only concerns the technical preparation of your translation request. It is not a recommendation on which documents you should submit in a recognition procedure.
- ✓Send all pages of the documents to be translated
- ✓Photograph or scan front and reverse sides
- ✓Make stamps, signatures and seals visible
- ✓Send tables, grade records and attachments in full
- ✓Include the grading scale if it should be translated
- ✓Retake unclear or cropped pages
- ✓Provide the name spelling as in the passport if relevant
- ✓Specify the required language direction
- ✓Indicate your deadline and preferred delivery method
7. How the certified translation process works
The process described here refers only to the translation service. Questions regarding the recognition procedure, document requirements and the decision on your application remain the responsibility of the relevant authority.
Send documents
You send the documents you would like to have translated.
Scope assessment
Language, number of pages, readability, tables, stamps and attachments are considered for the estimate.
Translation
The translation is prepared in full based on the visible content of the document.
Delivery
By arrangement, you receive a digital preview version and/or the certified copy.
8. Official information on recognition procedures
To find out which documents you need, which authority is responsible and in which form documents are required, please use official information portals or contact the competent authority directly.
Anerkennung in Deutschland
Official information portal on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications and the Recognition Finder.
Documents for the application
Information on documents, translations and copies in recognition procedures.
Make it in Germany
Information on working in Germany, recognition of qualifications and immigration for skilled workers.
9. Request template
You can use this template for your translation request. Please list only the documents you actually want to have translated.
Message template
Hello, I would like to order a certified translation of the following documents: Documents: - [e.g. diploma] - [e.g. supplement / subject list] - [e.g. Transcript of Records] - [e.g. employment reference] Language direction: - Russian → German / English → German / German → Russian / German → English Purpose of use: - recognition of education / university / employer / authority / other Requested format: - certified translation: yes / no - digital version in advance: yes / no - printed copy: yes / no Deadline: - [enter date] Name spelling: - Please spell the name as in the passport: [enter name] I am sending scans or photos of the documents with all pages, reverse sides, stamps, signatures, tables and attachments.
Frequently asked questions about certified translations for recognition of education
Do you advise which documents are needed for recognition?
No. Nachtigal Services does not provide recognition consulting and does not check which documents are required. Please clarify the requirements with the competent authority or through official information portals.
Do you check whether my document package is complete?
No. We do not check whether your recognition application is complete. Documents are reviewed only to estimate translation scope, price and processing time.
Which documents can I have translated?
You can order translations of diplomas, school certificates, supplements, transcripts of records, Diploma Supplements, employment records, licences, certificates and other documents.
Do you translate Russian diplomas and certificates?
Yes. Russian diplomas, school certificates, supplements, subject lists, employment documents and certificates can be translated into German as certified translations.
Do you translate English-language documents and transcripts?
Yes. English-language certificates, transcripts of records, Diploma Supplements, certificates and other education documents can be translated into German as certified translations.
Is a photo sufficient for an initial price estimate?
In most cases, a clearly legible scan or photo is sufficient. It is important that all pages, stamps, signatures, tables, reverse sides and attachments to be translated are visible.
What is the difference between a certified translation and a certified copy?
A certified translation confirms the accuracy and completeness of the translation. An officially certified copy confirms that the copy corresponds to the original.
Can several documents be translated at the same time?
Yes. You can send several documents together. The review is used to estimate scope, price and processing time, but not to assess their relevance for recognition.
How much does a certified translation for recognition of education cost?
The price depends on language, scope, readability, tables, stamps, attachments and number of pages. After you send the documents to be translated, you will receive information on price and processing time.
Order certified translations of documents for recognition of education
Send the documents you would like to have translated. You will receive information on price, processing time and the certified translation process.
