Have a divorce certificate translated into German
Your divorce decree, certified and translated by translators authorised in Germany — for the recognition of the foreign divorce, the registry office and a new marriage.
Certified divorce decree translation: having a foreign divorce recognised in Germany
For a marriage divorced abroad to be valid in Germany and a new marriage to be possible, the divorce decree is required as a certified translation. Whether formal recognition is necessary depends on whether the divorce took place inside or outside the EU. We translate the decree and the certificate of legal force in full and in a legally reliable way.
For recognition: EU divorces and divorces from third countries
Whether the foreign divorce is valid in Germany without a procedure or must be formally recognised is determined by the issuing state.
Does an EU divorce have to be formally recognised in Germany?
As a rule, no. Divorces from EU states (except Denmark) are recognised under the Brussels IIb Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 without a special procedure; the decision and a certificate from the court serve as proof. A certified translation may nevertheless be required for the registry office and register.
How is a divorce from a non-EU state recognised?
Divorces from third countries must be formally recognised under Section 107 FamFG. The competent body is the state justice administration — regularly the President of the Higher Regional Court at the habitual residence of one spouse; if both live abroad and a marriage is to take place in Germany, the Senate Department for Justice in Berlin decides. The divorce decree must be attached to the application as a certified translation.
Is only the decree translated, or the certificate of legal force as well?
We translate the complete divorce decree including the certificate of legal force, because only legal force proves that the divorce is effective and final. If the note is missing, we point this out to you.
For the registry office: remarriage and name registration after the divorce
Before a new marriage the registry office checks whether an earlier foreign marriage has been effectively dissolved.
Why does the registry office require the divorce certificate to be translated?
Before a new marriage it must be established that the previous marriage is effectively dissolved. For this the registry office requires the translated divorce decree and, for third countries, proof of recognition under Section 107 FamFG.
Can I take back my former name after the divorce?
The registry office records the name after the divorce; for this the certified translation of the divorce or marriage certificate showing the former name is used. We render birth names and married names to standard.
How long does the certified translation of the divorce decree take?
Scope and language determine the effort; you receive a binding fixed-price quote with a delivery date in advance and the digital preliminary copy before the hard copy follows by post. We do not quote invented blanket deadlines.
How your certified divorce certificate translation works
Document and upload
Send us your divorce certificate as a PDF, photo or scan – we check legibility, stamps and intended use.
Fixed price in 120 minutes
You receive a binding fixed-price quote with a delivery date, clearly calculated in advance.
Professional translators and revision
Assignment to a subject-matter translator; independent revision under the four-eyes principle per DIN EN ISO 17100.
Delivered certified
Digital advance version and, on request, the certified copy by post – officially recognised.
Translate a divorce certificate: German, English, French, Turkish, Spanish and over 60 languages
Whether for an authority, court, employer or university at home or abroad: we produce translations of divorce certificates in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Arabic and over 60 other languages. Only native-speaking professional translators with a relevant background carry out the work; every version is revised under the four-eyes principle per DIN EN ISO 17100 and certified on request – recognised by authorities and courts.
How your fixed price for the divorce certificate translation is calculated
We bill transparently by standard line (55 characters including spaces) from €0.95. The binding fixed price depends on volume, language combination, certification and the desired quality level – with no hidden costs and usually within about two hours.
Translating a divorce certificate – frequently asked questions
Do you also translate the complete divorce judgment?
Yes – we translate the judgment, the order and the certificate of legal force as certified translations and render the operative part and the reasoning precisely.
Is a foreign divorce recognised in Germany?
Within the EU usually without a special procedure; otherwise the competent state justice administration decides. The certified translation is regularly required for this.
How fast is it?
Quote usually within about 120 minutes; the delivery time depends on the length of the judgment.
What does the translation cost?
From €0.95 per standard line; for multi-page judgments you receive a binding fixed price in advance.
Is an EU divorce automatically recognised in Germany?
Yes – divorces from EU member states (except Denmark) are recognised under the Brussels IIb Regulation without any special procedure; an application under Section 107 FamFG is not needed for this. For remarriage, use of name or pension equalisation, however, the authorities do require the certified translation of the judgment.
Who recognises a divorce from a third country?
The recognition of a divorce from a non-EU state is decided by the state justice administration of the competent federal state in the procedure under Section 107 FamFG. The certified translation of the divorce judgment and the certificate of legal force is one of the required documents – we supply it ready for submission.
Have your divorce certificate translated — recognise it and marry again
Upload your divorce judgment and we check whether recognition is necessary before we prepare a fixed-price quote. For the new marriage we correspondingly translate the Marriage certificate of the previous marriage and the Certificate of no impediment to marriage; for residence and registration we add the Certificate of registration.