Police Clearance Certificate Translation into German

Which certificate do you have? Documents by country

Each country has its own criminal record system and its own wording. These are the certificates we translate most often:

Good to know: Most certificates are one page. Still, send the back if it has stamps, an apostille or notes.

Which German offices ask for a foreign police certificate?

It depends on your procedure, and the office decides. Common cases are Approbation (licence to practise as a doctor) and the recognition of nursing qualifications. For example, Bremen and Hessen ask nurses for a criminal record certificate from their home country. The Approbation office in Schwerin asks doctors for a "Strafregisterauszug oder Führungszeugnis" from their home country. Offices in other procedures may also ask for one. Always follow the list your office gives you.

How old can my police certificate be for a German office?

The German office decides the time limit. Many offices want a recent certificate, often under 3–6 months old. For example, the Schwerin Approbation office says it may be at most 3 months old when you apply. Check your letter. If your certificate is too old, you need a new certificate and a new translation.

Getting a certificate while you live in Germany

How you apply depends on your country. Many Turkish documents, including the Adli Sicil Kaydı, are downloaded from e-Devlet. According to the Embassy of India in Berlin, Indians apply on the Passport Seva portal and then submit their papers at an appointment; the embassy says processing takes about 7 working days. For other countries, ask your country's mission or the issuing authority. We do not apply for you.

How we write names in your translation

A translator sworn by a German court keeps every name as it is on your certificate. We do not expand initials or add names. Names in Cyrillic, Arabic or Indian scripts are transliterated (written in Latin letters). A different passport spelling goes in a translator's note.

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

See what your translation will look like

The sample shows an example certificate with dummy data. Every translation includes the full text in the same layout where possible, numbers and dates exactly as written, descriptions of seals, stamps, emblems and barcodes, and the sworn translator's certification, signature and stamp.

Common problems with police certificates, and how we handle them

1. 1The certificate gets old while you wait. We offer express delivery, so you do not lose time.
2. 2Phrases with a legal meaning. Sentences like "no criminal record" or "no adverse information" must stay precise. The translator uses the correct German legal wording.
3. 3Stamps in another script. Seals may be in Arabic, Cyrillic or Hindi even when the text is not. We translate every part.
4. 4Wrong file uploaded. Some people upload a payment receipt or an application form by mistake. We check your upload and tell you if something is missing.

When do you need your police certificate in German?

• For recognition of your nursing or other qualification, often with your degree and transcripts
• If your office asks for it in your citizenship application
• If it is requested for permanent residence or another permit
• When the same office also needs your birth certificate

What language is your police certificate in?

We translate directly into German from Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish (Kurmanji and Sorani), Dari, Pashto, Persian (Farsi), Ukrainian, Russian and English. Indian PCCs are mostly in English, with Hindi stamps or regional-language text on state police certificates.

Police clearance certificate translation: price and delivery

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.

Usually one page, one fixed price. You always see it before you pay. You can compare our prices.

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?

• A clear scan or photo of the full certificate, front and back
• The apostille and any extra page or verification report that came with it
• Your passport page, so we can add your passport spelling in a 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 police clearance certificate translation