Anyone who wishes to study, work, or have a qualification recognized in Germany using foreign school transcripts, college degrees, diplomas, or vocational training certificates often needs a German or English translation of these documents. Depending on the procedure, a certified or sworn translation are required.
Quick Answer: The agency to which the document is submitted determines whether a certificate or diploma needs to be translated. For university applications submitted through uni-assist, certificates are generally required in the original language and additionally in German or English, unless they have already been officially issued in one of these languages. In professional certification procedures, German translations by publicly appointed or authorized translators may be required.
What types of certificates and diplomas can be translated?
StartDE provides assistance with professional and—when necessary—certified translations of a wide variety of educational documents.
School certificates
- Diplomas
- High School Diplomas
- Secondary School Diplomas
- High School Diplomas from Abroad
- Grade Summaries
- Annual reports, if required for a proceeding
College Documents
- Bachelor's Degrees
- Master's Degrees
- Diplomas
- College and University Diplomas
- Transcript of Records
- Diploma Supplements
- Grade Summaries
- Certificates of Enrollment
- Certificates of Enrollment
- Module Overviews
Education and Professional Qualifications
- Training Certificates
- Vocational Certificates
- Exam Certificates
- Certificates of Employment
- Proof of Continuing Education
- Continuing Education Certificates
- Internship Certificates
- Employment references
Whether all documents or only certain ones need to be translated depends on the specific procedure. Therefore, whenever possible, you should review the list of required documents provided by the university, government agency, accreditation body, or employer before placing an order.
When do you need a certified translation of a diploma?
A certified translation—or one prepared by a duly authorized or sworn translator—may be required, for example, in the following cases:
- Applications to German universities,
- uni-assist process,
- Recognition of foreign professional qualifications,
- certain ZAB procedures,
- Administrative proceedings,
- Applications for public service positions,
- professional licensing procedures or
- other procedures that require a certified translation.
However, you should not order a certified translation for every educational document just to be on the safe side. Some institutions already accept documents in English or have their own requirements regarding translations, copies, and originals.
What does „certified translation“ mean?
The term „certified translation“ is often used in everyday language to refer to a translation whose accuracy and completeness have been verified by a translator who is duly authorized, sworn, or certified.
The exact term varies depending on the state and the legal context.
It's important to note that such a translation is not the same as a certified copy.
Certified Translation and Certified Copy—What's the Difference?
These two terms are often confused.
Certified or authenticated translation
In this process, the content of a foreign-language document is translated into another language, and the accuracy and completeness of the translation are certified accordingly.
Certified copy
In the case of a notarized copy, however, it is certified that the copy matches the original document presented.
This does not change the language of the document.
In some procedures, both a translation and certified copies may be required. Therefore, you should carefully check what the receiving agency requires.
Translating School Transcripts for a College Application in Germany
Anyone applying to a German university with a foreign high school or college degree must follow the document requirements of the respective university or the relevant application portal.
Some of the documents that are frequently required include:
- High School Diploma
- Subject and Grade Overview
- university transcripts, if applicable
- Transcript of Records
- Diploma Supplement
- Language Proficiency Certificates
- Additional program-specific documents
You should always check the specific application guidelines to determine which documents need to be translated and which languages are accepted.
Have school transcripts translated for uni-assist
Many international applications to German universities are submitted through uni-assist edited.
According to uni-assist's current general standards, transcripts must, as a rule:
- in the original language and
- plus a German or English translation
submitted or uploaded.
This also applies to subject and grade reports.
If the certificates have already been officially issued in German or English by the issuing institution, an additional translation is generally not required. However, country-specific regulations must still be checked.
Who is authorized to translate transcripts for uni-assist?
uni-assist accepts translations from individuals or institutions that are authorized to provide certified or court-approved translations.
An authorized department at the issuing school or university may also provide an accepted translation in accordance with uni-assist standards.
However, according to the general uni-assist rules, a simple translation provided by a translation agency without the appropriate authorization is not sufficient.
Do I need to upload both the original document and the translation to uni-assist?
Yes. The translation does not replace the documents in the original language.
As a general rule, uni-assist requires complete academic documents in the original language, as well as the corresponding translation, if necessary.
This also applies to:
- all pages of a report card,
- Subject and Grade Summaries,
- Diploma Appendices and
- labeled backs.
Incomplete documents can make it more difficult to review an application for admission.
Does an English transcript for college need to be translated into German?
Not automatically.
For uni-assist, an official German or English version is generally sufficient to meet the general translation standards.
Colleges and universities may also accept documents in English.
However, requirements may vary depending on the university, degree program, and country of origin. Therefore, decisions should not be based solely on language, but rather on the specific application requirements.
Having a Foreign High School Diploma Recognized
The translation of a school report card and the recognition of a high school diploma are two separate processes.
Under certain conditions, foreign high school diplomas may be recognized as equivalent to German high school diplomas.
As a general rule, the state-level certificate recognition offices are responsible for the recognition of certificates for professional purposes.
When it comes to admission to a degree program, however, the universities or the agencies involved in the admissions process decide on admission to higher education.
Have a foreign school transcript translated for vocational training
Anyone who wants to begin an apprenticeship in Germany may need to provide proof of their foreign high school diploma, depending on the training company, vocational school, or procedure.
The following documents, for example, may be relevant:
- High School Diploma
- Grade Summary
- Certificate of School Years Attended
- if applicable, a certificate of recognition of the high school diploma
In general, the state-level certificate recognition offices are responsible for the formal equivalence of foreign school diplomas for professional purposes.
You should check directly with the appropriate agency to determine which translations are required for this.
Have a diploma translated for a job application in Germany
When applying for jobs at private companies, there is no automatic, general legal requirement to have every foreign diploma certified and translated into German.
However, an employer may request a German or English version in order to verify the degree, field of study, and qualifications.
A professional translation can be particularly helpful when:
- if the original document is not available in German or English,
- if the employer expressly requires a translation,
- the degree is particularly relevant to the position, or
- the application is also to be used for an administrative proceeding.
Translating Certificates for Professional Recognition
When recognizing a foreign professional qualification, German translations of educational and professional documents are often required.
Examples of such documents include:
- Diploma
- Certificate of Vocational Qualification
- Certificates of Training
- Transcript of Records
- Diploma Supplement
- Subject and Class Schedules
- Proof of Work Experience
- Employment references
- Proof of Continuing Education
The competent accreditation authority determines exactly which documents must be translated.
Who is authorized to translate documents for professional recognition?
The official „Recognition in Germany“ portal notes that translations for recognition procedures must often be prepared by publicly appointed or authorized translators.
Whether a translation from the country of origin is accepted may depend on the relevant authority.
That is why this issue should be clarified before the contract is awarded, if possible.
Do I need certified copies for the recognition process?
Not in every proceeding.
Many recognition procedures are now carried out using copies or documents submitted electronically. However, some competent authorities may require officially certified copies.
The official portal „Recognition in Germany“ therefore recommends following the specific guidelines of the relevant agency and not sending original documents by mail without being asked to do so.
Have school transcripts translated for the ZAB
The Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) applies its own requirements when evaluating transcripts.
Applicants will find out whether a translation is required during the preliminary check or in the online application.
Important to note: The ZAB generally evaluates university degrees based on documents in the original language or the official language.
An additional translation is therefore never a substitute for the document in its original language.
Do I automatically need a certified translation for the ZAB?
No.
Whether an additional translation is required depends on the specific college degree and the individual list of documents.
According to the general ZAB guidelines, certification and apostilles are also not automatically required. In many cases, a simple scan is sufficient for the time being.
The requirements specified in your personal ZAB preliminary check always take precedence.
Have a transcript of records translated
The transcript of records is particularly important in international education and accreditation processes because it is often more detailed than the actual diploma.
It typically contains:
- modules or courses completed,
- Exam performance,
- Grades,
- Credits or ECTS credits,
- Semester Information and
- Additional information about the course of study.
Whether a translation is necessary depends on the specific proceeding.
At uni-assist, the transcript of courses and grades is also one of the documents that may need to be submitted with an additional translation into German or English.
Have a Diploma Supplement Translated
The Diploma Supplement contains additional information about the type, level, content, and status of a higher education degree.
Among other things, it can be used for:
- College applications,
- Recognition procedure,
- ZAB procedure or
- Job Applications
be relevant.
If the Diploma Supplement has already been officially issued in English, a separate German translation may not be necessary, depending on the procedure.
Do grades and grading systems need to be translated?
A professional translation conveys the information in the source document completely and clearly.
However, it does not, as a rule, automatically convert the foreign musical notation system into the German musical notation system.
Whether and how a foreign grade is converted or evaluated academically is the responsibility of the respective university, recognition office, or other institution.
Therefore, a clear distinction must be made between the translation of a transcript and its academic evaluation.
Translation of module descriptions and course catalogs
When recognizing individual academic achievements, additional documents may be required in addition to the diploma and transcript of records.
These could include, for example:
- Module Descriptions
- Curricula
- Curricula
- Course Descriptions
- Examination Regulations
- Records of Class Hours
Such documents can be quite lengthy. Before commissioning a complete translation, it is therefore essential to verify which parts the university or accreditation agency actually needs.
Transcripts in Arabic, Cyrillic, or other non-Latin scripts
For documents written in non-Latin scripts, the correct spelling of names plays an important role in addition to the actual translation.
This applies, for example, to documents in:
- Arabic script,
- Persian script,
- Cyrillic script,
- Greek script,
- Chinese characters or
- other writing systems.
If the name is already written in Latin script in a passport, residence permit, or other official document, this spelling should be provided when requesting a translation.
Does the back of a report card need to be translated?
If there is relevant information on the back, be sure to include it with your translation request.
For example, the following are often found there:
- Grading Scale,
- Rating systems,
- Stamp,
- Certification notes,
- Explanations or
- Additional official entries.
uni-assist also generally requires both the front and back sides of certificates that are printed on both sides.
What information should be fully visible in a transcript translation?
To ensure an accurate translation, the scans should show the entire document as much as possible.
Depending on the document, these include:
- Document Title
- Name of the exhibiting institution
- Person's Name
- Degree Title
- Field of Study
- Grades
- Subjects
- Credits
- Date
- Stamp
- Seal Inscriptions
- Signature Notes
- Side Notes
- relevant reverse sides
Express Translation of a Transcript or Diploma
When applying to colleges, submitting requests for credit recognition, or meeting application deadlines, you may need a translation on short notice.
Depending on the order, StartDE may consider expedited processing.
Depending on the document, language pair, length, and availability, a The certified translation will be completed the same day.
To ensure a prompt review, please submit the following as soon as possible:
- Complete scans of all documents,
- Source language,
- Target language,
- Purpose,
- any requirements set by the university or government agency, and
- Desired completion date.
Receive a translation of your report card as a PDF
Once the translation is complete, a PDF version or a scan of the translation can be provided initially.
This can be helpful, for example, for online applications or for preliminary screening.
Whether the digital version is sufficient for the final process depends on the specific university, government agency, or accreditation body.
Received a physical copy via DHL
A physical copy can be provided upon request via DHL be shipped.
In particularly urgent cases, express delivery may also be an option, depending on the appropriate DHL service.
The actual delivery time depends on the selected shipping method and the destination address.
What documents does StartDE need for a translation request?
- Complete and clearly legible scans of all pages
- labeled front and back sides
- Source language
- Desired target language
- Purpose of the Translation
- any requirements of the receiving agency
- Desired completion date
- For non-Latin scripts, the spelling of the name as it appears in the passport, if applicable
You can submit your translation request directly through our website Interpreting & Translation Services at StartDE place.
Step by Step: Having a Transcript or Diploma Translated for Germany
- Clarify the intended use: College, vocational training, job application, ZAB, or professional recognition?
- Check the requirements: What documents does the university, government agency, or accreditation body require?
- Check accepted language: For example, is an English original already accepted?
- Check translation format: Is a standard translation sufficient, or is a certified or notarized translation required?
- Scan documents in their entirety: including all relevant reverse sides, stamps, and attachments.
- Request a translation: Have only the documents you actually need translated.
- Submit a PDF and, if applicable, a hard copy: in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant authority.
Conclusion: Check the requirements before having certificates translated
When it comes to international educational documents, there is no uniform rule requiring that every certificate or diploma be automatically certified and translated into German.
The requirements for applying to a college or university differ from those for the ZAB, professional certification, vocational training, or applying to a company.
It is therefore particularly important to check, before beginning the translation, which documents are required, which languages are accepted, and what type of translation is required.
Do you need a professional or certified translation of a certificate, diploma, or transcript of records? Please send StartDE the complete documents, along with the source language, target language, and intended use, via our website Professional Translations at StartDE.
Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Translations of Transcripts and Diplomas
Does every foreign transcript have to be translated and certified?
No. The receiving university, government agency, recognition office, or other institution decides whether a translation is required and, if so, what form it should take. For example, certificates that have already been officially issued in German or English generally do not require an additional translation when submitted to uni-assist, unless otherwise specified for a particular country. uni-assist
Do I need a translation of my transcripts for uni-assist?
If the transcript was not officially issued in German or English, uni-assist generally requires a German or English translation in addition to the original language. uni-assist.de
Who is authorized to translate transcripts for uni-assist?
Among other things, translations are accepted from individuals or institutions that are authorized to provide certified or court-approved translations. uni-assist
Is a certified translation the same as a certified copy?
No. A translation involves conveying the content into another language and certifying its accuracy. A certified copy, on the other hand, certifies that a copy matches the original document.
Does an English diploma need to be translated into German?
Not automatically. Whether the English version is sufficient depends on the specific application process. uni-assist generally accepts a version officially issued in English, unless otherwise specified in the country-specific guidelines. uni-assist
Do I automatically need a certified translation for the ZAB?
No. The ZAB Preliminary Check determines which documents—and, if necessary, translations—are required. Documents in their original language always serve as the basis for the evaluation. ZAB
Does a transcript of records also need to be translated?
That depends on the application process. At uni-assist, the translation requirement generally applies to course and grade transcripts as well, unless they are already available officially in German or English. uni-assist
Can StartDE provide express translation services for transcripts?
Depending on the document, its length, the language combination, and availability, a certified translation can be completed on the same day.
