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Procedure descriptions

Translators and interpreters residing or doing business in other countries - applying for administration of the oath

Translators and interpreters from other federal states

Liaison interpreters who reside or do business in a federal state other than Baden-Württemberg can apply for general certification as a sworn interpreter, while document translators in the same situation can apply to be publicly appointed and sworn in as such.

Note: Have you already obtained general certification as a sworn translator or interpreter in another federal state? If so, you can invoke this oath in all federal and state courts.

Translators and interpreters from other countries

Are you a liaison interpreter or document translator from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland? If so, you are subject to the same conditions as German nationals if you

  • would like to work permanently in Baden-Württemberg,
  • but without being resident or setting up business there.

Nationals of other countries can also obtain general certification as sworn liaison interpreters or be appointed and sworn in as document translators if

  • there is a need and
  • they meet the requirements.

Translators and interpreters from other EU/EEA countries can also render their services on a temporary, occasional basis. You will find further information in the process description “Database of translators and interpreters (DÜD) - applying for registration for temporary activities (translators and interpreters from other EU/EEA countries)".

You can swear a general oath if you reside or do business in Baden-Württemberg. You will find more information in the process description “Translators and interpreters residing or doing business in Baden-Württemberg - applying for administration of the oath".

Responsible department

The President of Stuttgart Regional Court (Landgericht)

Details

Prerequisite

The prerequisites are:

  • personal reliability
  • legal capability
  • professional suitability
    You will be deemed professionally suitable if you have passed a state translator’s or interpreter’s examination or an equivalent examination.
  • Translators and interpreters from countries outside the EU and EEA (excluding Switzerland) will also need a residence permit entitling them to become self-employed

Citizens of other EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can have the equivalency of their examination certificate confirmed. The competent authority in this instance is the “examining body for translators and interpreters” at the administrative headquarters (Regierungspräsidium) in Karlsruhe.

Procedure

You must apply to the competent authority if you wish to obtain general certification as a sworn liaison interpreter. The same applies if you wish to be publicly appointed and sworn in as a document translator.

The competent authority will examine your application. If the decision is positive, you will take a general oath or be publicly appointed and sworn in. You will receive a notice of refusal if the competent authority rejects your application.

Note: Once you have been sworn in, the competent authority will add your data to the national database of translators and interpreters (DÜD). You may veto the publication of your data.

Required documents

  • copy of your personal ID card or a comparable identification document
  • if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or of Switzerland: residence permit entitling you to work as a self-employed person
  • certification that you have passed a state or equivalent examination for translators or interpreters
  • curriculum vitae in table form
  • as evidence of your personal reliability
    • if residing or doing business abroad: Documents from your country of origin testifying to your personal reliability (e.g. official certification equivalent to a German certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis))
    • declaration that you have no preliminary proceedings pending
      If preliminary proceedings are pending, you will have to make a detailed statement.
    • declaration concerning your financial circumstances in which you affirm that your finances are in good order.
  • declaration of consent to publication of your data in the national database of translators and interpreters (DÜD). If you do not consent to part or all of your data being published, you may submit a corresponding declaration.

The competent authority may request additional documents in order to verify your personal reliability.

Costs

  • General certification as a sworn liaison interpreter EUR 75.00
  • Appointment and swearing in as a document translator EUR 75.00
  • General certification as a sworn liaison interpreter and appointment and swearing in as a document translator in a combined process EUR 100.00
  • Determination of the equivalency of an examination certificate or other professional qualification in translating/interpretation by the examining body for translators and interpreters at the administrative headquarters in Karlsruhe: EUR 200.00

Processing time

Your application will be processed within three months of submitting all the documents required.

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Justizministerium released it on 05.11.2014. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.
In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.

Contact

Bürger- und Standesamt (Bürgeramt)
Grabenstraße 15
89522 Heidenheim an der Brenz
Fax (0 73 21) 3 23-33 32