Using German Documents in Russia
You have a German birth, marriage, or death certificate, a notarial power of attorney, or a commercial register extract, and you need to use it in Russia. The apostille must come from Germany first. Then we handle the certified Russian translation here.
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What to Send Us
- A scan of your German document with the apostille already attached (the apostille must be added in Germany, not in Russia)
- The type of document: birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde), marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde), death certificate (Sterbeurkunde), notarial power of attorney (notarielle Vollmacht), or commercial register extract (Handelsregisterauszug)
- Where in Russia and for which office you need the translated document, so we prepare it in the right form
- A copy of your passport or ID, so the translated names match your other Russian paperwork
- A phone number, email, or Telegram handle so we can reach you with questions and send the finished translation
German civil documents have their own names. A birth certificate is a Geburtsurkunde, a marriage certificate is a Heiratsurkunde, and a death certificate is a Sterbeurkunde. A notarial power of attorney is called a notarielle Vollmacht, and an extract from the commercial register is a Handelsregisterauszug. Whatever the document, it must carry an apostille before a Russian notary or government office will accept it, because Germany joined the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention back in 1965.
Here is the detail many people miss. Germany is a federal country, and each of its sixteen states runs its own apostille process. For a birth, marriage, or death certificate, the apostille is usually issued by the Regierungspräsidium of the state where the civil registry office sits — for example, Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart, Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt, or Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe, depending on where in Germany the document was issued. Some states use a different regional authority instead of a Regierungspräsidium, so it is worth checking with the office that issued your document. For a notarial power of attorney or a court document, the apostille usually comes from the president of the Landgericht (regional court) with authority over the notary or court that produced the paper.
German Documents and Where They Get Apostilled
| German document type | Apostille authority in Germany | Typical turnaround in Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate) | Regierungspräsidium of the state where the civil registry office is located (name and structure vary by state) | A few days to about two weeks, depending on the state and office workload |
| Heiratsurkunde (marriage certificate) | Regierungspräsidium of the state where the marriage was registered | A few days to about two weeks |
| Sterbeurkunde (death certificate) | Regierungspräsidium of the state where the death was registered | A few days to about two weeks |
| Notarielle Vollmacht (notarial power of attorney) | President of the Landgericht (regional court) responsible for the notary who certified the document | Usually one to two weeks |
| Handelsregisterauszug (commercial register extract) | President of the Landgericht responsible for the local court that keeps the commercial register, or the relevant state authority | Usually one to two weeks |
What happens after the apostille
Once your German document carries its apostille, send us a clear scan. We do not add the apostille ourselves, since only a German authority can do that. What we do is prepare a certified Russian translation of the apostilled document and have a Russian notary certify the translator’s signature. That notarized translation into Russian, attached to the apostilled German original, is what Russian notaries, registry offices, and government agencies expect to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a German birth certificate for Russia without an apostille?
No. A German birth certificate needs an apostille from the Regierungspräsidium (or the equivalent authority) in the German state where it was issued before a Russian office will accept it. After that, it also needs a notarized Russian translation.
Where do I get the apostille for a German document?
The apostille is added in Germany, not in Russia. For civil documents like a Geburtsurkunde, Heiratsurkunde, or Sterbeurkunde, it is usually the Regierungspräsidium of the state where the document was issued. For a notarial power of attorney or court document, it is usually the president of the Landgericht in charge of that notary or court.
Do I need German documents apostilled for Russian citizenship?
Yes, in most cases. If you are applying for Russian citizenship and rely on a German birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other civil document, Russian authorities usually expect it to carry a German apostille and a notarized Russian translation before they accept it as proof.
Can you get the apostille for me in Germany?
No. The apostille must be requested from the German authority in the state where your document was issued, since only that authority can certify a German document as genuine. Once you have the apostilled document in hand, we take over and prepare the notarized Russian translation.
Why do I need a notarized translation if the document already has an apostille?
The apostille confirms the document is genuine and was issued by the stated German authority. It does not translate anything. A Russian notary or government office still needs the content in Russian, and the translator's signature on that translation has to be certified by a Russian notary before the office will accept it.
How long does the whole process take, from German document to usable Russian paperwork?
The apostille step in Germany usually takes a few days to about two weeks, depending on the state and the type of document. After you send us the apostilled scan, the notarized Russian translation is usually ready within a few business days.
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Ready when you are
Send a scan now — you will have a fixed price and an honest deadline answer within 2 hours during working hours, and you pay nothing until you approve.
We are not a German government agency and cannot add the apostille to your German document. The apostille must be obtained in Germany, from the Regierungspräsidium or other authority responsible for the state and type of document, before you send it to us. We prepare the notarized Russian translation of your already-apostilled document in Russia. Exact requirements can vary by German state and by the Russian office you are dealing with, so confirm the details of your case with us before ordering.
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