Generally sworn, authorised or publicly appointed interpreters and translators are experts in their field who have taken an oath before a regional court, a higher regional court or an interior authority. Pursuant to Section 189 (2) GVG, this oath is valid before all federal and state courts, which means that they are recognised as reliable and qualified interpreters and translators before every court in Germany.
Sworn interpreters and translators usually have a special qualification and suitability, which they have proven by a certificate of qualification. Their work as language mediators for courts, authorities and notaries is in many cases a quasi-sovereign task. Pursuant to Section 189 (4) GVG, they are legally bound to secrecy and must faithfully and conscientiously translate spoken or written texts into the other language. In this way, they contribute significantly to safeguarding the rights of all parties in court proceedings. The exact title of the qualification may vary depending on the federal state, but the basic meaning and function of sworn interpreters and translators remains the same.
“Sworn” and “sworn” have basically the same meaning and are often used synonymously. Both terms describe that a person has taken an oath to perform a certain function.
However, in some federal states the term “sworn” is used, while in other federal states the term “vereidigt” is used. This means that the exact term may differ depending on the federal state.
In any case, being sworn in means that the person in question has been recognised as an interpreter or translator on the basis of his or her professional qualifications and personal suitability and is authorised to translate and certify official documents.
The cost of a certified translation by a sworn translator can vary depending on the language, the volume and difficulty of the text and the number of certified copies. In Germany, statutory fee schedules apply to the remuneration of sworn or authorised interpreters and translators, such as the Judicial Remuneration and Compensation Act (JVEG) or the Federal Fee Schedule for Interpreters and Translators (BGBDÜ). The specific prices should therefore be requested from the respective sworn translator.
The price calculation for interpreters and translators will be based on the Judicial Remuneration and Compensation Act (JVEG) from 1 January 2021. According to the JVEG, the interpreting fee is a uniform 85 euros per hour, without differentiation between consecutive and simultaneous interpreting.
When billing for translations, the line rates are calculated according to the volume. A standard line (NZ) consists of 55 characters (including spaces) and lines that have been started are charged as whole lines.
At Berlin Translate, our sworn translators offer certified official translations from EUR 45 per page, including delivery and certification fees.
In Germany, the professional titles of interpreter and translator are not protected, which can mean that the quality of services varies greatly depending on the provider. To make it easier for you to choose service providers on the market, we offer certified translation services for your official documents directly at an excellent price-performance ratio.
However, the quality of the service depends not only on the qualifications of the service providers, but is also influenced by factors such as the way the order is placed, the cooperation between the client and the contractor and – especially in the case of larger projects – the way the order is handled.
Sworn translators can usually produce certified translations of various documents. These include, for example:
Birth and death certificates
marriage and divorce certificates
Diplomas, certificates and diplomas
Contracts and legal documents
Financial and banking documents
Identity cards, passports and driving licences
Medical reports and certificates
Technical documentation and manuals
However, it is important to note that the exact requirements for certified translations may vary depending on the country, authority or institution. It is therefore advisable to find out about the specific requirements in advance.
There are several advantages to hiring a sworn translator for certified translations:
Recognition of the translation: a certified translation by a sworn translator is usually recognised by official bodies such as courts, authorities and institutions. The translation is considered official and binding and can be used as a legally valid document in many cases.
Guaranteed quality: Sworn translators are qualified professionals who have usually undergone special training and examination. They are obliged to guarantee high quality and accuracy in their work in order to take responsibility for their translations.
Legal certainty: A certified translation by a sworn translator gives you legal certainty because it is recognised as official. This can be particularly important when it comes to legal matters or contracts.
Time saving: An experienced sworn translator can complete the translation quickly and efficiently. This saves you time and allows you to concentrate on other important tasks.
Confidentiality: Sworn translators are obliged to ensure confidentiality and data protection. This means that your personal data and documents are in safe hands and will not be passed on to third parties.
Overall, hiring a sworn translator for certified translations offers many advantages, including recognition, quality, legal certainty, time savings and confidentiality.