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Apply for public appointment and general swearing-in or swearing-in for interpreters and/or translators

You can be publicly appointed as an interpreter or translator and be generally sworn in.

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Detailed description

As an interpreter and/or translator, you can be publicly appointed and sworn in by the relevant authority. As a court interpreter, you can be sworn in by the relevant authority.

Public appointment and general swearing-in or swearing-in takes place upon proof of your professional qualifications and knowledge of German legal language. Following this, you will be sworn in, during which you will take an oath obligating you to perform your duties truthfully, conscientiously, and impartially.

These procedures ensure that interpreters and/or translators meet the requirements for quality and reliability in legal and official contexts. The exact procedure for public appointment and general swearing-in may vary depending on the federal state.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You meet the necessary professional requirements.
  • You have basic knowledge of German legal language.
  • You are of legal age, personally suitable and live in orderly financial circumstances.

According to the Court Interpreters Act, you must also

  • have the nationality of an EU or EEA Member State or Switzerland and/or
  • have a main residence in an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland,
  • submit the application where you have your main residence or professional establishment.

Documents required

  • Application form
  • CV
  • passport photo
  • Evidence of professional qualifications (certificates)
  • Proof of application for a certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority

Please note

New legal regulations, the Court Interpreters Act and the Hamburg Interpreters Act, have been in effect in Hamburg since January 1, 2023. If you were already appointed and sworn in before this date, you may be required to take action under the Court Interpreters Act. Further information can be found in the "Links" section.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You submit your application along with the necessary documents to the responsible authority.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and request any missing documents or information from you.
  • The responsible authority will decide on your application and inform you of the decision in writing.

Processing time

Processing usually takes about 3 months.

Fees

100.00 EUR - 500.00 EUR

Legal remedies


  • Contradiction

  • suit

Legal basis

Hamburg Interpreters Act (HmbDolmG)

https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-DolmGHA2005V4P1


Court Interpreters Act (GDolmG)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gdolmg/BJNR212400019.html

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

A2

Only by appointment.

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Keywords: Interpreting matters Swearing in as an interpreter Swearing in as a translator Order to the interpreter Order to the translator

Last updated: 19.04.2025