1st Choice Translations

Translation and Interpreting Charges

Charges for Certified Translations

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Birth Certificate (Geburtsurkunde)

A German Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate) or "Auszug aus dem Familienstammbuch" is a one-page document. My charge for translating one certificate is £35. Sometimes, there is a christening certificate on the back of the birth certificate, if you need this translated as well, there is an additional fee of £15.

German registrars have a number of layouts to choose from but all birth certificates include the same basic information: Issuing registry office, registration number, date and place of birth, name of child, gender, parents’ details; date of entry, seal and registrar’s signature (sometimes also: Informant).

If you have more than one document for translation (whether this is another birth certificate or a different certificate entirely), I charge £35 for the first document, £25 for each subsequent page to be translated and certified. The only exception to this rule are divorce certificates as a second document, these I have to charge on a different basis.

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Marriage Certificate (Heiratsurkunde)

A German Heiratsurkunde (marriage certificate) comes in a number of guises as German registrars have a choice of at least three documents to certify a marriage. There is the "Beglaubigte Abschrift – Auszug – aus dem Familienbuch" which translates into "Certified Copy – Extract – from the Family Register", the "Bescheinigung über die Eheschließung", literally translated into "Certificate Regarding the Marriage" or the "Internationale Heiratsurkunde" which is an "International Marriage Certificate".

All these documents provide more or less the same information, presented in a slightly different format. The international marriage certificate has all information under German, French and English headings. The only term in the entire document which has not been translated is the name of the issuing country at the top, e.g. "Bundesrepublik Deutschland". The other two documents are entirely in German, hence may need translating if needed for submission to British authorities.

My charge for translating one (one-page) certificate is £35. If you have more than one marriage certificate (or also need a birth certificate translated or have other documents which need certification), I charge £25 for each subsequent page. The only exception to this rule are divorce certificates as second document, these are charged for on a volume basis, see here [link to divorce certificate price].

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Certificate of No Impediment (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis)

Certificates of No Impediment are straight forward documents for which I charge £35.

If you have two "Ehefähigkeitszeugnisse" for translation, it’s £35 for the first document and £20 for the second.

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Death certificate (Sterbeurkunde)

A German death certificate is a one-page document for which a minimum fee of £35 applies.

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Divorce decree (Scheidungsurteil)

I have translated a number of German and Swiss divorce certificates. They tend to be lengthy documents as they contain the details of the entire case (Urteilsbegründung). Therefore, no divorce certificate bears much resemblance to the next one which is why I can’t charge a flat fee per page.

Instead, I count the words in the translated text to arrive at my charge. If you want to roughly work out how much it is going to cost you, estimate or count the number of words in your document (please include all rubber stamps, small print and other text, as EVERYTHING has to be translated) and add 10% to be on the safe side as English texts translated from the German tend to contain about 10% more words.

My charge per 1000 words for a divorce certificate is £95 per target text. That is 9.5 pence per word. Multiply the number of words you calculated by 9.5 and you’ll have a good idea what the final charge for the certified translation will be.

Charge for Translation and Certification of Job References (Empfehlungsschreiben/Arbeitszeugnisse)

German job references vary significantly in length and, naturally, contents, though there is a certain formula that employers tend to apply.

For the translation of an "Empfehlungsschreiben" or an "Arbeitszeugnis" (job reference) my minimum fee of £35 applies for documents up to 350 words. Multiple letters of reference are charged per 1000 words pro rata. So three texts, totalling 950 words would cost £90, to give you an example.

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Police Clearance Certificate (polizeiliches Führungszeugnis)

German police clearance certificates or criminal records all follow the same formula. Therefore, my fee for translating a "polizeiliches Führungszeugnis" is £30, all inclusive.

By prior arrangement, I will translate the document on the day I receive it and post it on the same day. Don’t send me documents without either speaking to me first or having received a reply to your mail enquiring about my service to make sure I’m available for work on the day your document is likely to arrive here.

Charge for Translation and Certification of a Driving Licence (Führerschein)

The cost for translating and certifying a German driving licence is £35.

Charge for Translation and Certification of a School Leaver's Certificate (Abschlusszeugniss)

An "Abiturzeugnis" or "Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife" (Certificate of General Higher Education Entrance Qualification) can consist of anything from 1 to 4 pages (backs of pages count as individual page). My charge is £35 for a one-page document; £25 per page for a school leaver’s certificate consisting of more than one page.

Realschulzeugnisse (certificates proving "Mittlere Reife", similar to GCSEs), Hauptschulzeugnisse and other final school leaving certificates, including vocational college certificates (Berufsschulzeugnisse), are charged for on the same basis.

Charge for Translation and Certification of an Apprenticeship Certificate (Gesellenbrief)

A "Gesellenbrief" tends to be a one-page document. My minimum fee of £35 applies. If you also have a final certificate by your vocational college (Abschlusszeugniss der Berufsschule), this is charged at £25.

Charge for Translation and Certification of Academic Qualifications

I have translated a large number of University certificates for many different professions. The usual charge applies: £35 for the first page, £25 for each subsequent page to be translated and certified.

Charge for Translation and Certification of Military Service Certificates

I have translated a number of different military service certificates. They have varied greatly in time and effort needed for the translation. Please ring or email me for a quote.

Payments

I accept payment by cheque, BACS or PayPal, usually on invoice, payable within 30 days of date of invoice. For other payment options please contact me.

If you are sending me documents (e.g. for certification) per post and we have agreed on a fixed price, please include payment. I will send you a receipted invoice with the finished translation. The cheque will not be paid in, before I have sent off the translated documents.

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