Divorce Decree Translation for German Authorities

Which divorce document do you have? Documents by country

Some countries end a marriage with a court judgment, others also issue a divorce certificate from the civil registry. We translate both, and the finality proof that belongs to them:

Good to know: German offices usually want the full decision, not just the last page. Send all pages, including the back of each page if it has stamps.

Does a German office need proof that my divorce is final?

Often yes. German offices usually want proof that no appeal is pending. On a Turkish judgment this is the Kesinleşme Şerhi. Indian decrees often need a no-appeal certificate or court endorsement; a decree by mutual consent (Section 13B) usually cannot be appealed. Bavarian courts, for example, ask for Indian divorce papers with a Rechtskraftvermerk. We translate the finality proof together with your decree.

Does Germany recognise my foreign divorce?

The German authority decides this, case by case. In Germany, the state justice administration (Landesjustizverwaltung) recognises foreign divorces under §107 FamFG. In many states, this is the President of a Higher Regional Court. According to OLG Düsseldorf's guide, formal recognition is not needed if a court of your home country divorced you and both of you were only citizens of that country at that time, for example two Indian citizens divorced by an Indian court. The Standesamt may still check. We do not advise on your case.

Religious divorces: talaq, khula and Sharia court decisions

We translate any talaq, khula or Sharia court document exactly as written. Whether it ended the marriage is decided by the German authority. According to OLG Düsseldorf's guide, a religious divorce can only be recognised if a state authority was involved, for example by registering it. In India, instant triple talaq is void. Send the registration or court entry together with the religious document.

See what your translation will look like

The sample shows an example decree with dummy data. Every translation includes the full text of every page in the same order, descriptions of seals, stamps and signatures, handwritten notes and endorsements where readable, and the sworn translator's certification, signature and stamp.

How we write names in your translation

A translator sworn by a German court keeps every name as it is on your decree. We do not add, drop or reorder names. A maiden name stays a maiden name. Names in Arabic, Cyrillic or Indian scripts are transliterated. A different passport spelling goes in a translator's note.

For bigger differences between papers, see our page on name differences across documents.

Common problems with divorce decrees, and how we handle them

1. 1Only the last page is uploaded. Many people send only the operative order. We ask for all pages, because offices often want the full decision with reasons.
2. 2No finality proof. A judgment alone may not show that it is final. We tell you if we see no finality note, so you can ask the court early.
3. 3Faded stamps. Old certified copies often have weak seals. We mark unreadable parts as "[illegible]" instead of guessing.
4. 4Interim orders. A temporary order on maintenance or custody is not a final divorce. We translate it and note what it is.

When do you need your divorce decree in German?

• When you are planning to marry at the Standesamt
• When you are applying for German citizenship
• When you are bringing your new spouse to Germany
• For the recognition procedure at the Landesjustizverwaltung
• Often together with your old marriage certificate, a single status certificate or your birth certificate

What language is your divorce decree in?

We translate directly into German from Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish (Kurmanji and Sorani), Dari, Pashto, Persian (Farsi), Ukrainian, Russian and English. Many Indian decrees are in English; some district courts issue them in Hindi or a regional language. Every language part is translated.

How much does divorce decree translation cost in Germany?

Divorce decree translation has a fixed price, shown before you pay. A short decree costs less than a long contested judgment, because long judgments are priced by page.

All prices shown are starting prices incl. VAT and postage within Germany. Your exact fixed price comes in a written quote after upload, before you pay.

You can see all prices on one page.

Your files are transferred encrypted and deleted after 30 days (GDPR).

If your office asks for a change to our translation, we correct it free of charge.

What should I upload?

• Every page of the decree or judgment, front and back
• Any finality proof: Kesinleşme Şerhi, no-appeal certificate, endorsement or later court order
• The apostille page, if there is one, and your passport page for the spelling note

Usually a clear scan or photo is enough. Some offices want the translator to see the original, so check your letter.

Frequently asked questions about divorce decree translation