Certified Translation and Legalization of Documents

Certified translations and legalizations always play a central role for individuals and companies living and working between two countries. However, the process can be very confusing and unclear. Here you will find a brief overview of the most important terms and topics.

As a general rule, if you want to present a public document or certificate issued in Iran to a German authority or court, you must submit this document at least in the form of a certified translation.

Translations of Documents into German

Public documents such as certificates, diplomas, IDs, birth or marriage certificates must be translated into German for submission to German authorities. In Germany, translations by Iranian translators are recognized; however, it is often the case – for example, in naturalization processes – that documents must be translated by German translators. In Iran, official institutions generally only recognize translations by Iranian translators. Nevertheless, many translated documents by officially sworn German translators are accepted by non-governmental institutions. DIBeratung offers official sworn translations in this regard.

Certified Translations

A public document must be submitted to authorities in a certified translation. This means it must be translated by a sworn translator. This ensures that the translation is complete and accurate. The original, a certified copy, a simple copy, or a photo of the documents can be submitted as a template. However, the translation will mention what was used as the template.

Our sworn translator, Naghmeh Hosseini, is happy to provide certified translations between Persian and German. Naghmeh Hosseini has 15 years of professional experience and, due to her knowledge of both cultural contexts, is able to pay attention to nuances in meaning.

Stamp versus Digital Signature

To certify the completeness and accuracy of a certified translation, it is marked with a stamp. The stamp must, if required by the respective federal state, be placed directly on the translation. It contains the name and language(s) of the translator and, if applicable, their address.

As an alternative to the stamp, you can receive a 'Qualified Electronic Signature' (QES) from us, which is already accepted by many authorities.

Legalization

If you need to present a public document in a country other than the one where it was issued, proof of authenticity is required. Legalization is a special procedure that verifies both the authenticity of the signature and the authority of the issuer of a document.

Only after legalization is the document valid for legal use in Germany. Legalization is carried out by the consular officer of the state where the document is to be presented.

Hague Apostille

An alternative to legalization is the Hague Apostille, which also confirms the authenticity of a document. Unlike legalization, the Hague Apostille can be issued by an authority designated for this purpose in the state where the document was issued.

Legalization and Copy Certification by VisaMetric

To make legalizations and copy certifications more customer-friendly, the German Embassy in Tehran has commissioned the external service provider VisaMetric to accept the required documents for legalization or copy certification and forward them to the German Embassy. This process involves the following steps:

1. Translation of your document into German by an official translator.
2. Pre-certification by the Iranian Ministry of Justice and then by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some official translation offices offer to arrange the necessary pre-certifications.
3. Appointment scheduling with VisaMetric for document submission for legalization. Processing is carried out by the German Embassy in Tehran.
4. Submission of the application with all required documents at the VisaMetric acceptance center, Shirazi Building 1st Floor, No 137, Cross 21st Street, Vozara Avenue, 15139, Tehran.

Representation by a Courier for Legalization

You do not need to appear in person for legalization; you can appoint a courier to represent you. The courier's name must be provided when scheduling the appointment. Additionally, an informal written authorization in German, English, or Farsi, as well as a copy of your passport, must be submitted.

Copy Certification

A copy certification confirms that a copy is identical to the original (but not the authenticity of the original or its content accuracy). Only the original or a certified copy or transcript can be submitted. A simple copy is not sufficient for certification.

Signature Certification

The signature or mark of a person on a document is certified. The consular officer of the German Embassy in Tehran verifies and confirms the identity of the signer. This is often required when a notary is needed in Germany.

If you have any questions about translation, certification, or legalization, feel free to contact us.