Unfortunately, no. We don’t sit in an office all day. We are frequently out and about interpreting. Translators often work from home offices or remotely. Some translators also prefer to translate a document, sleep on it and then proofread it the next day – it’s easier to catch errors that way, and accuracy is paramount, especially for certified translations. Also, we have a whole bunch of deadlines, so we’ll be fitting in your project among them. But you can be sure that we stick to deadlines, and we’re pretty good at handling last-minute requests.
Written Translation
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is completed by a qualified translator who has passed a state examination and been sworn in by a court as a certified translator. It also gets called an “official translation” or a “sworn translation”. The translator follows specific national standards and includes a declaration at the end. They then attach the translation to a copy of your original document and stamp over the top so that the copy of your original document and the certified translation can’t be separated.
Red Tape Translation can organise certified translations for you, from English, Spanish, French, Chinese and Dutch into German and from German, Dutch and French into English. They can be posted to you or you can pick them up in person in Berlin at a mutually convenient time.
Which languages do you offer?
I can organise regular translations from German to English, English to German, French to German and English to French.
I can organise certified translations from:
- German to English
- English to German
- French to German
- Spanish to German
- Italian to German
- Chinese to German
- Dutch to German
- Dutch to English
Other language pairs might be possible – call and ask.
Are your certified/official translations accepted all over Germany?
Yes.
Are your certified/official translations valid in other countries as well?
The office/institution who told you to get translations probably has requirements that they need met. Our certified translations will most likely meet them, but it is best to contact the office/institution directly and ask them exactly what they need.
How long does it take before I get my translations?
Once I’ve seen your documents, I will tell you when you can expect to receive your translation/s. Your translator will start working as soon as we can see that you’ve paid.
Can you give me a ballpark quote for a translation without having seen the document?
No. I have to see the document before any numbers can be generated, ballpark figures or otherwise.
Can I get a quote for a translation based on a similar document?
I can only give you a binding quote once I’ve seen the document you actually want translated.
Can I bring the document to your office?
It’s not necessary and our office is not always manned. Please send a PDF of your document/s using the contact form. We’re very quick to respond!
Do I have to show the original document?
Not usually, I can work with a scan as long as it is good quality and legible. The only exception would be if the office that needs your certified translation has stated specifically that the translator must sight the original document. I rarely see this in Germany, but it can be common for passport, visa or citizenship applications being sent away to foreign countries. If that’s the case, you must let me know in advance. I will organise an appointment for you to pick up your translation personally in Berlin and you should bring the original document with you.
How do I pay for translations?
I will e-mail you detailed payment instructions with my quote once I’ve seen your documents. You can either pay by bank transfer, TransferWise or Paypal. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, please send a screen shot as proof of payment. Your translator can get started as soon as we know you’ve paid.