Greek birth certificate translation to German, fully certified
The clerk at the "Standesamt" examines your Greek birth certificate translation. Your name, transliterated perfectly from the Greek alphabet, matches your passport exactly. A nod. A stamp. Your file moves forward without a single question.
- ✓ Certified by court-appointed sworn translators
- ✓ Accurate Greek-to-Latin alphabet transliteration (ISO 843 standard)
- ✓ No apostille needed between Greece and Germany
- ✓ Check it first, pay later with Klarna invoice
Officially certified, guaranteed acceptance
Our translations meet the formal requirements for recognition by authorities across the EU. Select "PDF & original by post" when ordering. German authorities typically require the printed original with the Beglaubigungsvermerk (certification clause).
Accepted by:
Greek birth certificate requirements for Germany
Greek birth certificates come in several formats. The "Standesamt" and other German authorities accept all official versions, but each requires careful handling during translation, particularly when it comes to name spelling.
Greek birth certificate types we translate
- Ληξιαρχική Πράξη Γέννησης (Lisiarchiki Praxi Genniseos) The full birth certificate from the civil registry. This is the most commonly requested version for official purposes in Germany.
- Πιστοποιητικό Γέννησης (Pistopoiitiko Genniseos) A shorter birth certificate format. Some authorities may request the full version instead.
- Multilingual birth certificate (CIEC format) Issued under the CIEC convention with standardized fields in multiple languages. May still require certified translation for full legal validity.
- Older handwritten certificates Pre-digital Greek certificates with handwritten remarks. Our translators are experienced with these historical formats.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✓ Name spelling must match your passport exactly. "Χρήστος" can become Christos, Hristos, or Khristos depending on the transliteration system. Inconsistency leads to rejection.
- ✓ Using a non-sworn translator means immediate rejection. German authorities only accept translations with an official Beglaubigungsvermerk.
- ✓ Translating the short form when the long form is required. Check with your authority before ordering.
- ✓ Assuming no translation is needed because Greece is in the EU. The apostille exemption does not eliminate the translation requirement.
Greek name transliteration: why it matters
The Greek alphabet does not convert directly to Latin letters. Every Greek name can be spelled multiple ways in German or English documents. This creates a specific challenge that most translation services overlook.
The transliteration challenge
Consider the common Greek name "Νικόλαος". Depending on the transliteration system used, this could appear as:
- ✓ Nikolaos (ISO 843 standard)
- ✓ Nicolaos (phonetic English)
- ✓ Nikos (common nickname used on some documents)
If your passport says "Nikolaos" but your birth certificate translation says "Nicolaos", the "Standesamt" clerk will stop processing your application. Different spellings suggest different people. The clerk cannot assume they refer to you.
How we ensure name consistency
We follow the ISO 843 standard for Greek-to-Latin transliteration. This is the same standard used by Greek authorities when issuing passports and identity cards. Before finalizing your translation, we verify that every name matches your official ID documents. You can upload a copy of your passport or ID card during the order process, and we will cross-reference the spelling.
This verification step is included at no extra cost. It is the difference between a translation that works and one that creates problems at the authority.
When you need your Greek birth certificate translated
German authorities request birth certificate translations for many life events. Each situation comes with its own deadlines and emotional stakes.
Marriage registration at the "Standesamt"
You have chosen your wedding date. Sent out invitations. Maybe booked a venue or bought plane tickets for family members flying in from Greece. Then the "Standesamt" tells you they need your birth certificate translated. They need it weeks before your appointment. If the translation arrives late or contains errors, your wedding date disappears. The clerk cannot process your application, and the next available slot might be months away.
Our standard delivery of 3-4 business days gives you time to spare. If your appointment is tomorrow, express 24-hour delivery is available.
Newborn registration as a Greek parent
Your child was just born in Germany. Congratulations are mixed with paperwork. German law requires birth registration within one week. The "Standesamt" needs proof of the parents' identities and origins, including your Greek birth certificate, translated. One week is not much time when you are also adjusting to life with a newborn.
Our express service ensures your translation arrives within 24 hours. Upload your document today, receive the translation tomorrow.
Residence permit at the "Ausländerbehörde"
The "Ausländerbehörde" (Immigration Office) appointment is scheduled. Missing documents mean rescheduling, and new appointments can take weeks or months. The anxiety of waiting, the uncertainty of your status, the plans that remain on hold. Your birth certificate translation should not be the reason for delay.
Our translations are accepted by every "Ausländerbehörde" in Germany. No second appointments needed.
University enrollment and scholarship applications
German universities, particularly doctoral programs, sometimes require birth certificate translations as part of your application package. Scholarship committees may need family documentation. Academic deadlines are fixed. Missing the submission window means waiting another semester or losing funding opportunities entirely.
Our certified translations meet the requirements of every German university.
EU regulation: no apostille, but translation required
Greece and Germany are both EU member states. This simplifies some requirements but creates confusion about others.
What EU Regulation 2016/1191 means for you
Under EU Regulation 2016/1191, public documents issued in one EU country do not require an apostille or legalization to be used in another EU country. Your Greek birth certificate is already considered authentic in Germany. You do not need to visit an embassy or obtain additional stamps.
However, and this is where many people get confused, the regulation does not eliminate the need for translation. German authorities cannot process documents they cannot read. A certified translation into German is mandatory, regardless of EU membership.
When clerks ask for an apostille anyway
Some clerks at the "Standesamt" or "Ausländerbehörde" are not familiar with EU Regulation 2016/1191. They may initially ask for an apostille out of habit or caution. This is incorrect, but it happens.
Our translations include a clear certification clause (Beglaubigungsvermerk) that establishes the document's legal validity. In our experience, clerks accept the translation once they see the proper certification. If you encounter unusual resistance, our support team can provide guidance on the relevant EU regulation.
How it works
Order online, receive by email and post. No office visits, considerably less waiting.
Upload your Greek birth certificate
Photo or PDF, either works. If you have a passport or ID card, upload that too so we can verify name spelling. Our secure upload meets ISO 27001 standards for information security.
Court-appointed translator translates
A sworn translator with official court appointment handles your document. They apply ISO 843 transliteration standards and add the Beglaubigungsvermerk (certification clause) required by German authorities.
Receive by email and post
PDF arrives in your inbox within 3-4 business days (24 hours with express). If you selected postal delivery, the signed and stamped original follows by priority mail.
What you receive
Your translation is a legally valid document, not a rough draft or informal summary. It meets every requirement German authorities expect.
Your certified translation includes
- Clean, professional PDF Properly formatted, easy to read. Not a basement scan with crooked pages and coffee stains.
- Official certification clause (Beglaubigungsvermerk) The German-language statement confirming the translation's accuracy and the translator's qualifications.
- Sworn translator's signature With full name, title, and details of court appointment.
- Official stamp with registration number The stamp that German authorities look for when verifying authenticity.
- Accurate Greek-to-Latin transliteration Names spelled according to ISO 843 standard, verified against your passport.
- Permanent legal validity Unlike some countries, Germany does not require recent translations. Your certified translation remains valid indefinitely.
Frequently asked questions
No. Under EU Regulation 2016/1191, public documents from EU member states are exempt from apostille requirements when used in other EU countries. Your Greek birth certificate is valid in Germany without additional authentication. However, a certified translation is still mandatory. Some clerks may ask for an apostille out of habit, but the regulation clearly states it is not required between Greece and Germany.
We follow the ISO 843 standard for Greek-to-Latin transliteration, which is the same system Greek authorities use when issuing passports. When you place your order, you can upload a copy of your passport or ID card. Our translator will cross-reference the name spelling to ensure your birth certificate translation matches your official documents exactly. This prevents the rejections that occur when name spellings differ between documents.
For most purposes, the full birth certificate (Ληξιαρχική Πράξη Γέννησης / Lisiarchiki Praxi Genniseos) is preferred. Some authorities accept the shorter version (Πιστοποιητικό Γέννησης), but others specifically require the full certificate. If you are unsure, contact the authority requesting the document before ordering your translation. We can translate any official Greek birth certificate format.
German authorities typically require the original printed document with the physical stamp and signature. The PDF is useful for initial submissions and your own records, but for official appointments at the "Standesamt", "Ausländerbehörde", or university enrollment offices, bring the posted original. Select "PDF & original by post" when placing your order.
Standard delivery is 3-4 business days. The PDF arrives by email first, followed by the postal original if you selected that option. For urgent situations, our express service delivers within 24 hours (Monday to Friday). Express delivery is selected during checkout.
Older Greek certificates often include handwritten remarks, corrections, or margin notes. Our sworn translators are experienced with these historical documents and will translate all content, including any handwritten additions. If any text is illegible, we will contact you to clarify before finalizing the translation.
Related documents you may need
Greek birth certificates are often just one part of a larger document package. If you are registering a marriage at the "Standesamt", you may also need a marriage certificate translation from any previous marriages, or a divorce certificate if applicable. For residence permit applications at the "Ausländerbehörde", a passport translation is sometimes requested alongside identity documents. We translate all Greek civil status documents with the same certified quality and name transliteration standards.
Get your Greek birth certificate translated
Accurate transliteration. Official certification. Accepted by every German authority. Upload your document now and see your exact price before you commit. Standard delivery in 3-4 business days, or choose express for 24-hour turnaround.
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