You have most probably heard the term "certified copy" ("beglaubigte Kopie") or the phrase "you need to have your documents/certificates authenticated" in Germany. In particular, when applying at university or the Civil Registry Office ("Standesamt"), you are required to submit a certified copy of your diplomas or documents. Here you can learn what a certified copy is and how you can make a certified copy of your documents.
A certified copy is a copy of a document that has been legally certified in Germany. It means a stamp would be attached to the copy that proves it is identical to the original document. Many authorities do not want your original documents, but a certified copy of them - as the originals must be preserved from loss or any other damage.
During the authentication process, it is verified that the copy is identical to the original. A special stamp and the signature of the person who carried out the authentication process are added to the document as an official guarantee - this stamp must be visible on all pages of the document.
Please note: Most authorities don’t accept certified copies of a certified copy. You need to have the original document as well. For instance, if you have a certified copy from Afghanistan and make another certified copy from it in Germany, the second copy won't be accepted by German authorities.
- Local Municipal Office (“Bürgeramt“): Here you can have both documents issued by the German authorities and those required by them authenticated. You are expected to pay ca. 4 euros per page for the authentication process. In large cities, you often need to make an appointment to have your certificates authenticated- without one, you may have to wait in line for a long time.
- Notary („Notar“): You can also go to a notary and have your documents certified there. But the Notary's service is often much more expensive than that of the "Bürgeramt". At notar.de, you can find notary offices nearby.
- Civil Registry Office („Standesamt“): Copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates or death certificates can be certified by the Civil Registry Office that issued them. Here you are often expected to pay about €5 to €8 per page.
- Schools and universities: You can have copies of your school diplomas or graduation certificates authenticated at the school or university where you graduated. Many schools and universities provide cost-free certified copies of your diplomas along with the original certificate. Students often have to pay a few euros for more copies.
If you are not in Germany but need a certified copy of a document for German authorities, you can go to the German embassy in your country. However, the service will cost you money.
Please note: The German Embassy in Damascus is currently closed. The next German diplomatic mission for Syrians is located in Beirut (Lebanon) and you can obtain your certified copies from there. You can find a full list of the German embassies and diplomatic missions online.
If you have documents in another language, you must enclose a German translation by a sworn interpreter. If you want to use certificates or diplomas from your home country in Germany and need them to be certified (legalisation/apostille), you must have them certified in your country of origin or at your country's embassy in Germany.
The person in charge will check your copy (or make a copy of the original, in case you haven't already) as well as the original document. If the document and copy are identical, you will be handed a stamped and signed copy (i.e. authenticated copy) which equals the original. The amount you have to pay for the service differs based on the city where you live and the authority you have chosen.
Please Note: In case you receive financial support from the Jobcentre, submit the payment receipt to the Jobcentre staff responsible for you, as they may refund your money.
If you face problems when having your documents certified, you can contact a Migration Advice Centre for help. You can find a counselling centre nearby at bamf.de and jugendmigrationsdienst.de. The employees speak different languages.
Regular translators cannot provide you with a certified copy of your documents. Some of them may offer to do so, but the result will be fake and not accepted by the authorities. Make sure to go to a sworn translator if you need your documents translated and certified. You can find sworn translators, for instance, at justiz-dolmetscher.de or bdue.de.
Recognition of foreign certificates
If you have obtained your school or vocational qualification outside Germany, you can have it recognised here. Unlike vocational qualifications, your university/school qualifications may already be recognised: you can check the official portal Anabin to see whether your school, university, and degree are listed as recognised. You can read more about this in ‘How can I find out whether my qualification is categorically recognised?‘
In the recognition process, your degree is compared with a similar German degree. When your qualification is verified as an equivalent to the corresponding German degree, your diploma is "recognised", and you will have better chances in the job market.
All people with foreign qualifications have the right to this recognition process- it does not matter what residence status or nationality you have.
Please note: People who are still abroad sometimes have to provide relevant documents (e.g., training place, job offer) to prove that they intend to pursue vocational training or employment in Germany. If that is the case, you can also have your professional qualifications recognised in Germany.
*This information page has been updated with the support of the IQ Network NRW.
Marriage in Germany
In Germany, you do not need to be officially married to live with your partner and have children. Many still opt for marriage. To register your marriage in Germany you need to arrange a few things and prepare. Here, you will find everything you need to know before registering your marriage.
University Application
Regardless of whether you want to stay in Germany or not, studying at a German university can open up many opportunities for your future professional life. Entering university, however, is not always easy. You have to meet some requirements and observe many deadlines and regulations. Here you can find out if and what you can study in Germany and how to apply for a degree. Furthermore, you will learn if you can continue the studies you have already started abroad in Germany.
The staff at MBE can provide you with advice in several languages on various issues.
The Youth Migration Service (JMD) provides support to young immigrants and refugees (under the age of 27) and their parents throughout Germany in several languages.