Sworn Germantranslation
Official, legally valid Dutch ↔ German translations by RBTV-registered sworn translators. Accepted by every Dutch authority and, combined with an apostille, in more than 120 countries worldwide.
German Translations
Sworn Dutch - German translations by RBTV-registered translators.
Which document would you like translated?
What is a sworn German translation?
A sworn German translation is an official translation between Dutch and German made by a translator who has been sworn in by a Dutch court and listed in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). The translator binds a signed statement, an official stamp and a signature to a copy of your document, which is what lets Dutch authorities such as the IND, your municipality, the courts and universities treat it as the official version.
Source: Bureau Wbtv · Last updated:
What is the difference between a certified and a sworn translation?
In the Netherlands the two terms describe the same thing. A certified translation here means a sworn translation: one produced by a court-sworn, Rbtv-registered translator who attaches a signed statement and an official stamp. In some other countries a certified translation can be a simple signed declaration without that legal standing, so when a Dutch authority asks for a certified translation it means the sworn version.
If you are sending a document abroad, check with the receiving authority whether they need the sworn translation legalised with an apostille as well.
Source: Bureau Wbtv · Last updated:
How much does a sworn German translation cost?
A sworn German translation costs from €65 for the first page, with each following page at €75. That base price covers the translation, the sworn statement, the official stamp and our acceptance guarantee. A digital copy (PDF by e-mail) is an optional add-on for €9.95, and registered shipping within the Netherlands is €9.95, free from €299. Standard delivery is 5 to 7 working days, with express available as an option.
Source: VOG Vertalen pricing 2026 · Last updated:
Sworn German translations — where and why they are used
German is the second most requested language for sworn translations from the Netherlands, after English. The demand clusters around three areas: Germany itself (especially North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony because of cross-border trade), Austria, and the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland such as Zürich, Bern and Basel. All three countries are part of the Hague Apostille Convention (1961), so the combination of a Dutch original, an apostille and a sworn German translation is accepted throughout the region.
German differs from Dutch in ways a translator has to handle with care: the formal and informal address (Sie against du), the dense genitive constructions of notarial and commercial texts, and legal terms that have no one-to-one equivalent. "Vertrag" is not the same as "Vertragsverhältnis", and "Vollmacht" splits into "Generalvollmacht" and "Spezialvollmacht". A sworn German translator with a legal background is what stands between acceptance and rejection here.
Austrian authorities sometimes add a step. The apostille route is formally enough, but a number of Austrian district courts (Bezirksgerichte) still ask in practice for an extra notarial confirmation (Beglaubigung) by a Dutch notary. That is local acceptance policy rather than law, so if your document is bound for Austria it is worth checking the requirement with the receiving body in advance. We are happy to arrange the notarial step when it is needed.
Common use cases
- German university — recognition (Anerkennung) of a Dutch diploma and transcript
- Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) application with the Bundesamt für Migration
- Austrian Stadtgemeinde — marriage with a Dutch birth certificate
- Swiss cantonal administration — permit and residence registration
- German commercial register (Handelsregister) entry — KvK extract
What customers say about german translations
Based on 183 reviews · 183 verified orders
“Handled it all without any fuss. My diploma was translated precisely and the university in Germany accepted the certified translation straight away. It arrived within the expected timeframe. Glad I chose this over the local options.”
Thomas K.
Diploma · Dutch → German
“Handled it all without any fuss. The translation of our Chamber of Commerce extract read exactly as it should and the university in Germany accepted the certified translation straight away. The turnaround matched what was promised. I would use the service again.”
Julia B.
Chamber of Commerce extract · Dutch → German
“Very pleased with the service. My birth certificate was translated precisely and the municipality accepted the certified translation straight away. The turnaround matched what was promised. Knowing the translation was covered by the acceptance guarantee was reassuring. No complaints at all.”
Stefan D.
Birth certificate · German → Dutch
“Smooth process and a good result. The sworn translation of my birth certificate was done carefully and it was accepted by the German authorities without issue. The turnaround matched what was promised. Knowing the translation was covered by the acceptance guarantee was reassuring. Happy to recommend it.”
Jeroen T.
Birth certificate · Dutch → German
“I am very satisfied. The sworn translation of my birth certificate was done carefully and it was accepted by the local Bürgeramt without issue. The turnaround matched what was promised. No complaints at all.”
Joke Y.
Birth certificate · Dutch → German
Behind the scenes: how we choose your German translator
Every request goes to a sworn German translator from the RBTV register. That page shows who does the work and how to order directly.