Have a will translated into German
Wills and proofs of inheritance that probate courts, notaries and foreign banks recognise – certified-translated, the last will and the status as heir rendered unambiguously.
In an international succession, the translation decides whether your inheritance right is recognised
When the estate, heirs or assets reach across borders, every term of the last will counts. We translate the will, certificate of inheritance and European Certificate of Succession certified and faithfully, so that the probate court, notary and foreign banks classify your status as heir without query.
For heirs in international successions: settling an estate abroad
A cross-border estate involves more than the will: death certificate, certificate of inheritance and European Certificate of Succession – we translate the complete set with consistent terminology.
What is the European Certificate of Succession and do I need a translation for it?
The European Certificate of Succession (ECS) proves the status as heir under the EU Succession Regulation (in force since 17 August 2015) in almost all EU member states. It is valid for six months; foreign banks and authorities may require a translation into their local language, which we deliver certified.
Do you translate the will, certificate of inheritance and death certificate for the estate settlement?
Yes – we translate the entire set of proofs for settlement abroad, including the will, certificate of inheritance, death certificate and record of the opening of the will, with terminology consistent across all documents.
Does the foreign bank require a certified translation to release the estate?
As a rule yes – banks release a deceased person’s accounts and securities only against a recognised proof of inheritance. We deliver the certified translation with a certification note from a sworn translator.
For the probate court and notary: the last will faithful and evidence-proof
Does the probate court need a certified translation of the foreign-language will?
Yes – for the opening and interpretation of a foreign-language will, the probate court regularly requires a certified translation with a certification note from a sworn translator. We deliver it traceably and true to form.
Do you also translate handwritten wills?
Where the entries are unambiguously legible, yes; for illegible passages we ask specifically before starting, so that the last will is not distorted. Signatures and dating we note true to form.
How are terms such as Vermächtnis, Pflichtteil or Vor- und Nacherbschaft rendered?
These terms of German inheritance law rarely have an exact counterpart abroad. Our professional legal translators work with functional equivalents and explanatory notes, so that the effect under inheritance law is preserved.
How your certified will translation works
Document and upload
Send your will 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 will: 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 wills and inheritance documents in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Arabic and over 60 other languages. Only native-speaker translators with a relevant background translate; every version is revised on the four-eyes principle in accordance with DIN EN ISO 17100 and certified on request – recognised by authorities and courts.
How your fixed price for the will 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 will – frequently asked questions
Do you also translate the certificate of inheritance and the European Certificate of Succession?
Yes – we translate the will, the certificate of inheritance, the European Certificate of Succession and the associated orders as certified translations.
How precise are the dispositions and shares?
Very precise – we reproduce inheritance shares, bequests and conditions true to the wording, so that no errors of interpretation arise.
How is confidentiality maintained?
Strictly confidential, GDPR-compliant, with an NDA on request.
What does it cost?
From €0.95 per standard line; for multi-page documents you receive a fixed price in advance.
Which body issues the proof of inheritance and requires the translation?
The certificate of inheritance and the European Certificate of Succession are issued by the probate court, a division of the local court (Amtsgericht). Where there is a foreign element, it requires wills, inheritance contracts and foreign decisions as a certified translation, which we provide true to the wording by translators authorised or sworn in Germany.
What is the European Certificate of Succession translated for?
The European Certificate of Succession under the EU Succession Regulation 650/2012 proves the status as heir EU-wide. Banks, land registries and registers abroad release accounts and transfer ownership as soon as it is available in a certified translation – we render the succession shares and legacies exactly.
Legally sound translation in an international succession
In cross-border inheritance, the faithful rendering of the last will and the status of heir is decisive – from the will through the certificate of inheritance to the European Certificate of Succession. We translate with certification for the probate court, notary and foreign banks. For related documents we also translate notarial deeds, Powers of attorney and Contracts. More on this in the practice area Legal translation.