Administrative services A-Z

• For the interpreting and translation services required by the courts of the State of Brandenburg, interpreters within the meaning of Section 189 (2) of the Judiciary Act are generally sworn in for oral and written language transmission and translators are authorised for written language transmission in accordance with Section 142 (3) of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO). The general oath includes the authorisation to prepare the translation of a document written in a foreign language in accordance with § 142 paragraph 3 ZPO and to certify the correctness and completeness of the translation of a document written in a foreign language.
• The interpreter is issued with a certificate of general oath and the translating person with the authorisation.
• With their consent, sworn interpreters and authorised translating persons are included in a nationwide database of interpreters and translators. The database shall be subject to public inspection.
• The general oath has the advantage that in the case of referral by a court or a notary, the appeal to the general oath is sufficient instead of the oath in individual cases.

For swearing in as an interpreter:

• passed examination for interpreters of a state examination office or a university in Germany or an interpreter examination abroad recognised as equivalent by a German state authority; in exceptional cases, this may be deviated from if neither an examination is offered for the requested language in Germany at a state examination office nor at a university and the language skills and the ability to interpret are proven in another way.
• Proof of practical work as an interpreter
• the required personal reliability
• Citizen of a member state of the European Union or possession of a settlement permit for the Federal Republic of Germany

For authorisation as a translator:

• Passed examination for translators of a state examination office or a university in Germany or passing a translator's examination abroad recognised as equivalent by a German state authority
• the required personal reliability
• Citizen of a member state of the European Union or possession of a settlement permit for the Federal Republic of Germany

Application forms are available on the Internet on the service pages of the regional courts and the Brandenburg Higher Regional Court.

In addition to the application, the following documents are required:

• Certificate of successful completion of interpreting or translation studies at a university in Germany or certificate of passing a state interpreter or translator's examination in Germany or
• Certificate of passing an interpreter or translator's examination abroad, provided that this is recognised as equivalent by a German government agency.

The certificates of qualification must be submitted in the original or in a certified copy. In the case of applications for a general sworn in as an interpreter, work references on the practical work of interpreting must also be submitted. If the aforementioned evidence is available in a foreign language, a translation prepared by an authorised translator must also be attached. Furthermore, the following must be submitted with the application:

• curriculum vitae in tabular form,
• police clearance certificate (for submission to an authority pursuant to Section 30 (5) of the Federal Central Register Act),
• for persons who are not nationals of a Member State of the European Union, the settlement permit.

For the swearing of interpreters and the authorization of translators, costs are charged in accordance with the Brandenburg Justice Costs Act (JKGBbg) in the currently valid version.

• General swearing in of interpreters (No. 4.1 JKGBbg): 120 Euro
  • For a second and each additional language, the fee increases by 20 euros
• Authorisation of translators to certify the accuracy and completeness of translations of documents drawn up in a foreign language (No. 4.2 JKGBbg): 120 euros
  • For a second and each additional language, the fee increases by 20 euros
• Minimum fee and fee for rejecting or deferring an application for which a fee is provided for in accordance with points 4.1 and 4.2 (point 4.3 JKGBbg): EUR 40
• The fees referred to in points 4.1 and 4.2 shall not be levied side by side. If several fees of Section 4 are to be charged side by side, the maximum fee of EUR 160 may not be exceeded.

The general oath and authorization takes place upon written request.

The application must be addressed to the competent President of the Regional Court; jurisdiction shall depend on the district in which the applicant has his domicile or, in the absence thereof, his professional establishment. For applicants without residence or professional establishment within the State of Brandenburg, the President of the Regional Court of Potsdam is responsible. A map with the local competences can be found in the Justice Portal , accessible by a mouse click.

• Checking the submitted documents for completeness and, if necessary, requesting further required documents
• in particular in case of doubts about personal reliability examination by further investigations and, if necessary, a request to the debtor register

The right to invoke the general oath and the authorisation to translate are in principle valid indefinitely. Unless there is an effective revocation according to § 5 BbgDolmG.

Brandenburg Higher Regional Court
Gertrud-Piter-Platz 11
14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany

Phone: 03381 39 - 90
Fax: 03381 39 - 9350
Fax: 03381 39 - 9360

• Website of the Brandenburg Higher Regional Court

• Law on the General Swearing of Interpreters and Authorisation of Translators of the State of Brandenburg (Brandenburgisches Dolmetschergesetz-BbgDolmG)
• Ordinance on the Implementation of the Brandenburg Interpreting Act

• Languages within the meaning of this Act are also sign language and recognised communication techniques.
• Interpreters who are not generally sworn may also be called upon to attend court hearings. Before commencing the activity, however, the interpreter must then be sworn in for this hearing by the presiding judge.

Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy