Translation of French document in Munich

[Joshua Kaufman 1]

Can anyone recommend a "certified translator" in Munich who can translate my fiancee's French police report?

Thanks!

Edited May 30, 2007 by Joshua Kaufman

[kitkat1 5]

Can anyone recommend a "certified translator" in Munich who can translate my fiancee's French police report?

Thanks!

You don't need a "certified translator" (not even sure an organization exists to "certify" them).

What you do need is the following:

http://tinyurl.com/vtj32

Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________

Date Typed Name

Address

[Joshua Kaufman 1]

You don't need a "certified translator" (not even sure an organization exists to "certify" them).

What you do need is the following:

http://tinyurl.com/vtj32

Thanks KitKat. I've read that before, but this translation is for the U.S. Consulate in Frankfort, Germany. In their requirements they state:

Translations must be by a competent translator and sworn before a Notary Public.

So I get what you're saying about a competent translator (my fiancee is definitely that). Does that mean that she can translate it and then have it notarized?

[kitkat1 5]

You don't need a "certified translator" (not even sure an organization exists to "certify" them).

What you do need is the following:

http://tinyurl.com/vtj32

Thanks KitKat. I've read that before, but this translation is for the U.S. Consulate in Frankfort, Germany. In their requirements they state:

Translations must be by a competent translator and sworn before a Notary Public.

So I get what you're saying about a competent translator (my fiancee is definitely that). Does that mean that she can translate it and then have it notarized?

Sounds like it -- the person who translates it signs that blurb about being competent in front of a notary. It's kind of a strange requirement from the consulate since a notary only proves that the signature belongs to the person who signed it - having it notarized doesn't prove they are competent or that the translation is accurate. But I guess they think that makes it more "official"!

[Joshua Kaufman 1]

So I get what you're saying about a competent translator (my fiancee is definitely that). Does that mean that she can translate it and then have it notarized?

Sounds like it -- the person who translates it signs that blurb about being competent in front of a notary. It's kind of a strange requirement from the consulate since a notary only proves that the signature belongs to the person who signed it - having it notarized doesn't prove they are competent or that the translation is accurate. But I guess they think that makes it more "official"!

Wow. Sweet! But can anyone confirm they've actually done this? (Specifically at the Frankfurt consulate would be even better)

[Anna C. 4]

Hm just in case it needs to be certified - how about the French Consulate in Munich? Maybe they can help? They provide translations of French certificates for French citizens who live in Germany!

Here's the website for consular services: http://www.botschaft-frankreich.de/konsula...?id_article=199

And even if you're not a citizen, I am sure they know a good translator! Another idea would be to contact the French department of the LMU. They are really nice and probably would be able to help for a SMALL fee.

Edited May 30, 2007 by Anna C.

[RhondaM 0]

When I had to provide certified copies from English to French or French to English, my fiance and I used the services of my colleague, a French teacher like myself and an American speaker of English. She then accompanied me to a notary. I had prepared a letter much like kitkat has given you in an earlier post. The notary witnessed the signature of my colleague. As for the French government, they love stamps....so I asked the notary to stamp each of the pages of the translations. My colleague then gave me a copy of her current teaching license that shows she is competent to translate.

The police certificate as long as there are no arrests is an extremely easy paper to translate.....I wouldn't pay a big price to a translator for that! Do you have a school near you? Contact a high school....ask the language teacher---

there's my suggestion for what it is worth