Death certificate translation in Hamburg – certified and accepted by authorities

Key facts at a glance

• ✓Certified by sworn translators authorised by a German court – generally recognised throughout Germany, including in Hamburg
• ✓A clearly legible photo or scan of the death certificate is all we need for a quote
• ✓No-obligation quote with price and delivery date before any costs arise
• ✓Original delivered by post with stamp and signature, and as a PDF in advance on request
• ✓Discreet and confidential: ISO 9001-certified processes (TÜV SÜD), data processed in line with the GDPR

When do I need a certified translation of a death certificate?

Whenever you submit a foreign death certificate to a German body – or a German death certificate abroad. Typical occasions in Hamburg and everywhere else in Germany include:

• Certificate of inheritance and probate: The probate court (Nachlassgericht) needs proof of death before it issues a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein).
• Survivors' pension: The German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) and foreign pension providers require the death certificate for widow's, widower's or orphan's pensions.
• Insurance companies and banks: Life insurers pay out, and banks close accounts or transfer them to the heirs.
• Registry office (Standesamt): If you wish to remarry or have the death of a German relative abroad registered in Germany, you submit the death certificate together with a translation.
• Repatriation and burial: Funeral directors and authorities need the documents when the deceased are transferred abroad or to Germany.

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is a complete translation whose accuracy is confirmed by a court-authorised translator with a certification statement, stamp and signature. Depending on the federal state, these professionals are called authorised, sworn or publicly appointed translators. The certification is generally valid throughout Germany – registry offices, courts and insurers in Hamburg therefore also accept it if the translator is authorised in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Not to be confused with a certified copy: this only confirms that a copy matches the original. Certified copies are issued by, for example, the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) or a notary – not by the translation agency.

How it works – conveniently from Hamburg

Our office is in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Customers in Hamburg place their orders with us online – there is no need to visit.

1. 01
   Send the death certificate

   photo, scan or PDF via the form above, by email or via WhatsApp.

2. 02
   Receive a quote

   price and binding delivery date – without obligation and usually on the same working day.

3. 03
   Translation and certification

   A sworn translator for your language translates the entire certificate, including stamps and annotations.

4. 04
   Delivery by post

   The certified translation arrives as an original with stamp and signature – and, on request, as a PDF by email in advance.

How much does it cost to translate a death certificate?

The price depends on just a few factors: the language (common or rare), the length of the certificate including the reverse side and annotations, the required delivery date and shipping. Death certificates are usually short standard documents – that is why we can give you a binding price once you have uploaded yours. Costs only arise once you accept.

Request a price for my death certificate

Which languages do we translate death certificates from?

From over 160 languages and dialects. We most frequently translate death certificates from Turkish, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Persian (Farsi and Dari), Albanian, Portuguese and English. Even for rare languages, we find the right person in our network of over 1,000 language professionals.

We also translate in the other direction: if a German death certificate is needed abroad – for example for a pension or an inheritance in the country of origin – we translate it into the relevant language.

Apostille, international death certificate and more

Some bodies additionally require an apostille or legalisation of the original certificate. This is not issued by the translation agency, but by the competent authority of the country that issued the certificate. Ideally, have the apostille added before the translation – then we can translate it at the same time.

Why RAGUNATHAN?

• Since 1986

  Experience with civil status documents from all over the world – from the registry office to the probate court.

• ISO 9001:2015

  Processes certified by TÜV SÜD, member of the BDÜ – the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators.

• Over 1,000 language professionals

  Interpreters and translators for over 160 languages and dialects.

• Sensitive and discreet

  All language professionals are bound by confidentiality, and we process your data in compliance with the GDPR.

Questions about your case? Call us on +49 208 990477 (Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) – we will advise you free of charge.