UK death certificate translation to German, certified for all authorities
You walk into the "Nachlassgericht" (Probate Court) with your translated documents. The clerk reviews the death certificate, checks the certification clause, and proceeds with your inheritance case. No questions. No delays. One less complication during an already difficult time.
- ✓ Certified by court-appointed sworn translators
- ✓ Guaranteed acceptance by all German authorities
- ✓ Express 24-hour service when time matters
- ✓ 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, especially the "Nachlassgericht" and pension offices, typically require the printed original with stamp and signature.
Accepted by:
UK death certificate requirements for German authorities
German authorities require a certified translation of your UK death certificate before they can process inheritance cases, pension claims, or estate matters. The translation must be completed by a court-appointed sworn translator (gerichtlich vereidigter Übersetzer) and include the official certification clause, stamp, and signature.
Understanding UK death certificates
Death certificates in the United Kingdom are issued by different authorities depending on where the death occurred. Each has slightly different formats, but all are accepted for certified translation.
- England and Wales Issued by the General Register Office (GRO). The most common format you will encounter.
- Scotland Issued by National Records of Scotland (NRS). Contains additional details specific to Scottish registration.
- Northern Ireland Issued by the General Register Office for Northern Ireland (GRONI). Similar format to England and Wales.
- Coroner's certificate Issued when the death was investigated. May be required alongside the standard death certificate.
- Consular death certificate For UK citizens who died abroad. Issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Full certificate vs. short-form certificate
UK death certificates come in two versions. German authorities almost always require the full certificate (also called the long-form or certified copy). The short-form certificate contains limited information and is often rejected by the "Nachlassgericht" (Probate Court) because it lacks essential details such as cause of death, occupation of the deceased, and informant details.
Before ordering your translation, check which version you have. If you only have the short-form certificate, you can request a full certified copy from the relevant registry office in the UK.
Apostille requirements for UK documents in Germany
Since Brexit, German authorities typically require an Apostille on UK death certificates before accepting them. The Apostille is an international certification that proves your document is authentic. It does not replace the certified translation. You need both.
Here is the process:
- ✓ Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate from the GRO, NRS, or GRONI
- ✓ Apply for an Apostille from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
- ✓ Once you have the Apostille, upload the death certificate with the Apostille attached for translation
The Apostille is attached to your original document. We translate both the death certificate and the Apostille together, so the German authority receives a complete certified translation package.
You can apply for an Apostille through the UK government's official Apostille service. Processing typically takes a few weeks, so factor this into your timeline if you are working toward a deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
Estate matters and pension claims are time-sensitive. Avoid these errors that cause delays:
- ✓ Not getting an Apostille when the "Nachlassgericht" requires one
- ✓ Using a non-sworn translator whose work gets rejected
- ✓ Assuming German authorities will accept English documents without translation
- ✓ Submitting a short-form certificate when the full version is required
- ✓ Missing paperwork that delays inheritance distribution by weeks or months
When you need a UK death certificate translated to German
A translated death certificate is required whenever German authorities need to verify that a death occurred in the UK. The most common situations involve inheritance, pensions, and official record updates.
Estate settlement at the "Nachlassgericht" (Probate Court)
When someone with assets in Germany passes away in the UK, the "Nachlassgericht" needs the translated death certificate before they can issue a certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) or process the estate. This applies whether you are the spouse, child, or other heir. The court cannot proceed without proof of death in a language they can officially accept.
Cross-border estates are complicated enough without document delays. Every week the paperwork sits incomplete is another week the estate cannot be distributed. Bank accounts remain frozen. Property cannot be transferred. Other heirs wait. A properly certified translation removes this bottleneck.
Pension claims at Deutsche Rentenversicherung
If the deceased was receiving a German pension, or if you are a surviving spouse entitled to a widow's or widower's pension (Witwenrente), the Deutsche Rentenversicherung requires the translated death certificate. This also applies if you are claiming survivor benefits for children.
Pension offices work on strict timelines. Benefits cannot be adjusted or transferred until they have documentation proving the death. A certified translation ensures your claim moves forward without administrative rejections that cost you weeks of benefits.
Updating records at the "Standesamt" (Registry Office)
The "Standesamt" maintains civil status records in Germany. If the deceased was married to a German citizen, or if the death needs to be registered in German records for other legal purposes, the registry office requires a certified translation of the UK death certificate.
This is particularly relevant if you need to update marital status for future legal proceedings, remarriage, or administrative matters. The translation becomes part of the permanent official record.
Insurance claims and banking matters
German insurance companies and banks handling estate matters require official documentation before they can release funds or process claims. Life insurance payouts, joint account access, and investment account transfers all require proof of death that the institution can verify.
A certified translation by a sworn translator carries legal weight that these institutions recognize. It prevents back-and-forth requests for "proper documentation" that delay access to funds when you need them most.
How it works
Order online, receive by email and post. No office visits, and considerably less waiting than traditional translation services.
Upload your document
Scan or photograph your UK death certificate (with Apostille if you have one). Upload it directly on our product page. Select English as the source language and German as the target language.
We translate and certify
A court-appointed sworn translator handles your document. The translation includes the official certification clause (Beglaubigungsvermerk), the translator's signature, and their official stamp with court appointment and registration number.
Receive and submit
Your translation arrives as a PDF by email within 3-4 business days (24 hours with express). If you selected postal delivery, the original certified document follows by priority mail. Take it to the "Nachlassgericht," pension office, or insurance company.
What your certified translation includes
Every translation we deliver meets the formal requirements German authorities expect. The certification is permanent and does not expire.
- Certification clause The official Beglaubigungsvermerk confirming accuracy and completeness
- Translator signature Handwritten signature of the sworn translator
- Official stamp Shows court appointment and registration number
- Date and location When and where the certification was issued
Frequently asked questions
Since Brexit, most German authorities require an Apostille on UK civil status documents. The "Nachlassgericht" (Probate Court) and pension offices typically ask for it. Contact your specific authority to confirm their requirements. If they do require an Apostille, obtain it from the UK FCDO before ordering your translation. We translate both the death certificate and Apostille together.
German authorities typically require the full death certificate (long-form/certified copy), not the short-form version. The full certificate includes cause of death, occupation of the deceased, and informant details. If you only have a short-form certificate, request a full certified copy from the GRO (England and Wales), NRS (Scotland), or GRONI (Northern Ireland) before ordering your translation.
Standard delivery is 3-4 business days. The PDF arrives by email first. If you ordered the postal option, the original certified document follows by priority mail. Need it faster? Express 24-hour service is available Monday through Friday for urgent inheritance or pension matters.
Yes. Our translations are certified by court-appointed sworn translators (gerichtlich vereidigte Übersetzer) and meet the requirements of all German probate courts. The translation includes the official certification clause, stamp, and signature that the "Nachlassgericht" requires. If your translation is ever not accepted, we support you in finding a solution.
Yes. Select Klarna invoice at checkout. You receive your translation first, check that everything is correct, then pay within 14 days. No upfront payment required.
If a coroner investigated the death, you may have a coroner's certificate in addition to (or instead of) the standard death certificate. We translate coroner's certificates with the same certified quality. Upload whichever documents the German authority has requested.
No. Certified translations have permanent legal validity in Germany. Unlike some countries that require translations to be recent, German authorities accept certified translations regardless of when they were issued. You can use the same translation for multiple authorities.
Related documents you may need
Estate settlement and pension claims often require additional documentation. If you are handling an inheritance case at the "Nachlassgericht," you may also need a marriage certificate translation to prove spousal status, or birth certificate translations to establish family relationships between heirs. For matters involving wills, powers of attorney, or other estate documents, we also provide certified legal document translations. All documents receive the same certified quality accepted by German authorities.
One less thing to worry about
Dealing with administrative matters after a death is difficult enough. Let us handle the translation so you can focus on what matters. Upload your UK death certificate, see your exact price, and receive your certified translation within days. Accepted by the "Nachlassgericht," Deutsche Rentenversicherung, and every German authority.
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