Apply for authorization as a translator, general swearing-in as an interpreter for prosecutorial and notarial purposes and/or general swearing-in as a sign language interpreter
Do you want to translate in court, for public prosecutors and notaries or as a sign language interpreter? You can find more information here.
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Basic information
The court may order that a translation of documents drawn up in a foreign language be provided by a translator who has been authorized or publicly appointed for language translations of the relevant type in a country in accordance with the provisions of national law or who is equivalent to such a translator in each case. These translations have special probative value.
The authorization to certify the accuracy and completeness extends to own and third-party translations. The work of translators therefore includes written language translation.
The authorization of translators is carried out in accordance with Section 28a (2) of the Act on the Implementation of the Court Constitution Act (hereinafter: AGGVG). The AGGVG essentially refers to the provisions of the Act on the General Swearing-in of Court Interpreters (Court Interpreters Act - hereinafter: GDolmG).
Anyone wishing to interpret in a court hearing must take an oath to the effect that they will interpret faithfully and conscientiously. In principle, this oath must be taken separately for each proceeding. However, it is possible to refer to a general oath instead.
The work of interpreters for prosecutorial and notarial purposes includes oral language transmission. "Language" in this sense also includes other recognized communication techniques, in particular sign language sign language, Braille, Lormen or the finger alphabet.
The general swearing-in of interpreters for prosecutorial and notarial purposes and of sign language interpreters is carried out in accordance with Sections 28 et seq. of the Act on the Implementation of the Courts Constitution Act (AGGVG). The AGGVG essentially refers to the provisions of the Court Interpreters Act (GDolmG).
Requirements
- Nationality Citizenship of a member state of the European Union or citizenship of a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland or professional establishment or residence in one of these states
- Age of majority
- Suitability (suitability "Suitability" means all the requirements to be personal evidence. Please note that a final specification can only be made in individual cases and a decision in this regard is at the discretion of the responsible office).
- Orderly financial circumstances
- Reliability
- Required specialist knowledge of German and the language to be sworn in
- German legal language skills
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Procedure
Online application: (will be available shortly)
- The application and the required supporting documents can be submitted directly via the online service.
- The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Bremen will decide on your application on the basis of the information you provide and the documents submitted, once the advance on costs has been received. You will receive an invoice for costs.
- If you meet all the requirements, your application will be granted. You will then be asked to swear an oath before the competent authority that you will act faithfully and conscientiously.
- A record of this will be made and you will receive a certificate of your authorization or general swearing-in. After receiving the certificate, you may use the title
- "F Authorized translator for the courts, public prosecutor's offices and notaries of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (specify the language for which you are authorized)" or "F authorized translator for the courts, public prosecutor's offices and notaries of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen for (specify the language for which they are authorized)
- "Generally sworn interpreter f for (specify the language for which they are sworn) for the public prosecutor's offices and notaries of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen" or "Generally sworn interpreter f for (specify the language for which they are sworn) for the public prosecutor's offices and notaries of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen"
- "Generally sworn sign sworn sign language interpreter for the courts, the public prosecutor's offices and the notaries of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen" or "Generally sworn sign sworn sign language interpreter for the courts, public prosecutor's offices and notaries of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen"
- The right to invoke the authorization or general swearing-in ends after 5 years.
Written application:
- Send the application and the required supporting documents to the President of the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Bremen, Am Wall 198, 28195 Bremen or use the mailbox there.
- You will find the link to the application form under "Forms".
- The rest of the procedure is the same as the online application.
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Necessary Documents
- Personal evidence:
- a certificate of good conduct in accordance with Section 30 (5) of the Federal Central Criminal Register Act, which must not have been issued more than 6 months previously (certificate of good conduct document type O for submission to an authority)
- a curriculum vitae (in tabular form)
- a declaration stating whether you have been sentenced to a penalty or detention order in the 5 years prior to submitting the application or whether preliminary proceedings were pending against you
- a declaration as to whether insolvency proceedings have been opened against your assets and no discharge of residual debt has yet been granted or whether you are entered in the debtor register
- a certificate that you are not entered in the debtor register of the Central Enforcement Court
- a negative certificate from the insolvency court in accordance with Section 26 (2) of the Insolvency Code, which must not have been issued more than 6 months previously,
- if you are not a citizen of an EU member state, you must also provide proof that you are permitted to work as a self-employed person by the relevant immigration authority in the Federal Republic of Germany
- identity document
- a declaration that you are available for short-term assignments - also those of considerable scope - are available are available. If you are in a dependent employment relationship, a corresponding certificate of exemption from your employer must be submitted
- Technical evidence:
- Proof of language proficiency: by passing the translator or interpreter examination of a state or state-recognized examination office in Germany or another state or state-recognized examination for the translator or interpreter profession,
- as well as proof of basic knowledge of the German legal language. Proof of no. 2 can also be provided by means of an examination in accordance with no. 1.
- Personal evidence:
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Competent Department
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Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht in Bremen
- (0421) 361-58603
- (0421) 361-4451 | 361-17290
- Am Wall 198, 28195 Bremen
- Website
- office
@oberlandesgericht. bremen. de - Legally secure e-communication more
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Fees / Costs
Fees are charged in accordance with No. 4 of the Schedule of Fees under the Bremen Judicial Costs Act (Annex to Section 1 (2)) and the notes.
The fee for the application is reduced if the application is withdrawn before a decision is made (see fee schedule 4.3, note b)).
The fee is only charged once if the general swearing-in as a court interpreter, interpreter for prosecutorial and notarial purposes and the authorization as a translator are applied for at the same time and for the same language or communication technology.
If the general swearing-in as a court interpreter, interpreter for prosecutorial and notarial purposes and the authorization as a translator for more than one language is applied for, the fee for the 2nd and each additional language or communication technique shall be increased in accordance with No. 4, note d).
The fees are due upon submission of the application (advance payment obligation).
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
There are no deadlines for submitting your application.
How long does it take to process
The office responsible for processing your application will confirm receipt of the documents submitted by you within one month of receipt of the application and, if necessary, ask you to submit further documents. The procedure will be completed within 3 months of receipt of all documents. This period may be extended by one month in justified cases.
If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the certificates or evidence submitted or if further information is required, the authenticity can be verified by contacting the competent authority in the country of origin. Corresponding information can also be obtained. The expiry of the deadline is suspended for the duration of the investigation.
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The official information in German is complete and correct. 28.11.2025