US death certificate translation English to German, certified
You hand the estate documents to the clerk at the "Nachlassgericht" (Probate Court). They review your certified translation, nod, and begin processing the inheritance. No delays. No follow-up appointments. The estate settlement moves forward.
- ✓ Certified by court-appointed sworn translators
- ✓ Accepted by "Standesamt", "Nachlassgericht", all German authorities
- ✓ Apostille guidance included with every order
- ✓ Check it first, pay later with Klarna invoice
Officially certified, guaranteed acceptance
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult enough. The last thing you need is bureaucratic complications. Our translations meet the formal requirements for recognition by authorities across the EU. For probate proceedings and estate matters, authorities typically require the printed original. Select "PDF & original by post" when ordering.
Accepted by:
US death certificate requirements for German authorities
German authorities require certified translations of foreign death certificates for estate settlements, pension claims, and official record-keeping. US death certificates come in different formats depending on the issuing state, and understanding these variations helps ensure smooth processing.
Document types we translate
- Long-form death certificate Complete document including cause of death, medical examiner details, and attending physician information
- Short-form death certificate Basic information including name, date, and place of death
- Certified copies Official copies issued by the state vital records office, eligible for Apostille
- Consular death certificates Documents issued by US embassy or consulate for citizens who died abroad
State variations
Each US state issues death certificates in different formats with varying information fields. California certificates look different from Texas certificates, which look different from New York certificates. Our sworn translators are familiar with all state formats and ensure accurate translation regardless of the issuing state. Both paper and digital death certificates are accepted, though availability varies by state.
Important distinction
Only certified copies of death certificates are eligible for Apostille authentication. Informational copies, which some states issue for genealogical purposes, cannot be apostilled and may not be accepted by German authorities for legal proceedings. If you are unsure which type you have, check for official seals and signatures from the vital records office.
Apostille requirements for US death certificates
Most German authorities require US death certificates to carry an Apostille before they accept the certified translation. The Apostille proves your document is authentic under the Hague Convention, which both the United States and Germany have signed.
How Apostille works for US documents
The Apostille must come from the Secretary of State in the US state that issued your death certificate. A California death certificate requires a California Apostille. A Florida death certificate requires a Florida Apostille. The issuing state matters, not where you currently live or where the deceased resided at the time of death.
- ✓ Get the Apostille first, then order the translation
- ✓ Electronic Apostilles are increasingly common and equally valid
- ✓ Processing times vary by state, from a few days to several weeks
- ✓ Some states offer expedited Apostille services for urgent cases
Sequence matters
Always obtain the Apostille before ordering your translation. The translation should include the Apostille as part of the complete document package. If you submit a translation without the Apostille, German authorities may reject it and require you to start over. We translate the Apostille along with your death certificate to create a complete, accepted document.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing Apostille Submitting translation without Apostille when required leads to rejection
- Non-sworn translators Using online translation services or non-certified translators
- US notarization confusion Assuming US notarization is sufficient for German authorities
- Poor quality scans Providing images that obscure state seals or signatures
When you need a US death certificate translated to German
A certified translation of a US death certificate is required for various legal and administrative processes in Germany. Each situation has its own urgency and emotional weight, and we understand the pressure you may be facing during an already difficult time.
Estate settlement at the "Nachlassgericht" (Probate Court)
When a relative passes away in the United States, settling their estate in Germany requires proof of death that German probate courts can verify and accept. The "Nachlassgericht" needs to see your certified translation before they can process inheritance matters, issue certificates of inheritance, or authorize the distribution of assets. Multiple heirs may be waiting. Property decisions have deadlines. The court clerk reviews your complete file, finds everything in order, and the estate administration moves forward without delay.
Pension and insurance claims
German pension offices and health insurers require official documentation when processing survivor benefits. If you are a widow or widower claiming benefits after your spouse's death, the translated death certificate proves your eligibility. Life insurance payouts, pension transfers, and social security survivor benefits all require this documentation. The insurance office processes your claim smoothly when they receive the properly certified translation, and financial support reaches you without bureaucratic delays during a time when you need it most.
Property and asset transfer
Real estate and bank accounts in Germany require proof of death before ownership can transfer. Notaries handling property deeds, banks releasing funds, and land registry offices all need to verify the death certificate through a certified translation. The time pressure of estate settlement, combined with the complexity of managing assets across two countries, makes having the right documentation essential. The notary accepts your translation, processes the property deed transfer, and the estate administration continues.
Registering a US death at the "Standesamt" (Registry Office)
Dual-national families often need to register a death that occurred in the United States with German authorities. The "Standesamt" maintains official records of German citizens and their family status, including deaths abroad. This registration may be necessary for updating civil status records, for remarriage applications, or for completing family documentation. The registry office clerk reviews your translated certificate, stamps your file, and the official German record is updated.
How it works
Order online, receive by email and post. No office visits, and considerably less waiting than you might expect.
Upload your death certificate
Scan or photograph your US death certificate, including the Apostille if you have it. Clear images that show all seals and signatures work best. Both PDF and image formats are accepted.
Sworn translator certifies
A court-appointed sworn translator creates your certified translation. The final document includes the official certification clause, translator signature, and stamp with court registration number.
Receive and submit
Your translation arrives by email as a PDF within 3-4 business days. If you selected postal delivery, the signed original follows by priority mail. Submit to the "Nachlassgericht", "Standesamt", or other authority.
What your certified translation includes
Every certified translation carries the full legal weight required by German law. When you open the PDF or receive the printed document, you will see clean, professional formatting that looks official.
Certification elements
- Beglaubigungsvermerk The official certification clause stating the translation is accurate and complete
- Translator signature Personal signature of the court-appointed sworn translator
- Official stamp Stamp showing court appointment and registration number
- Date and location When and where the certification was issued
Permanent validity
Unlike some countries that require recent translations, German authorities accept certified translations regardless of age. Once certified, your translation remains valid permanently. You can use it for future proceedings without needing to order a new translation.
Frequently asked questions
In most cases, yes. German authorities typically require US death certificates to carry an Apostille from the Secretary of State in the issuing US state. The Apostille verifies the document is authentic under the Hague Convention. Get the Apostille first, then order your translation. We translate the Apostille along with your death certificate.
The Apostille must come from the same state that issued the death certificate. If the death certificate was issued in Texas, you need a Texas Apostille from the Texas Secretary of State. If it was issued in New York, you need a New York Apostille. The state of issuance matters, not where you currently live.
Short-form certificates contain basic information: name of the deceased, date and place of death. Long-form certificates include additional details such as cause of death, medical examiner information, and attending physician. Which one you need depends on what the German authority requires. For estate proceedings at the "Nachlassgericht", either form is typically accepted. We translate both types.
Informational copies are not eligible for Apostille and may not be accepted by German authorities for legal proceedings. You need a certified copy from the state vital records office, which carries official seals and signatures. If you are unsure which type you have, check for the registrar's signature and raised or printed seal.
Standard delivery is 3-4 business days. You receive the PDF by email first. If you selected postal delivery, the signed original follows by priority mail. For urgent deadlines, express 24-hour service is available Monday through Friday.
For probate proceedings at the "Nachlassgericht" and most estate matters, German authorities typically require the printed original with the translator's handwritten signature and stamp. Select "PDF & original by post" when ordering. Some authorities accept the PDF for initial review, but will request the original before finalizing.
If a US citizen died abroad, the US embassy or consulate may have issued a consular death certificate. We translate these documents as well. Consular death certificates follow a different format than state-issued certificates but are equally valid. Apostille requirements may differ, so check with the German authority receiving your documents.
Certified translations have permanent validity in Germany. Unlike some countries that require recent translations, German authorities accept certified translations regardless of when they were issued. You can use the same translation for multiple proceedings or keep it for future needs.
Related documents you may need
Estate settlements and family status changes often require multiple translated documents. If you are processing an inheritance, the "Nachlassgericht" may also require a marriage certificate translation to establish the relationship of the surviving spouse. For pension and insurance claims, a birth certificate translation may be needed to verify beneficiaries. If the deceased was divorced, a divorce certificate translation helps clarify inheritance rights. We translate all civil status documents with the same certified quality.
One less thing to worry about
During a difficult time, the last thing you need is paperwork complications. Upload your US death certificate, and we handle the certified translation. Court-appointed sworn translators. Guaranteed acceptance by all German authorities. Delivered to your inbox and mailbox, ready for the "Nachlassgericht", "Standesamt", or insurance office.
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