Dolmetscher bzw. Übersetzer in der Justiz Allgemeine Beeidigung bzw. Ermächtigung

Sworn interpreters are recorded in a database.

The work of interpreters comprises the oral transmission of language, that of translators the written transmission of language. "Language" in this sense also includes sign language.

The assignment as an interpreter in a court hearing requires an oath that the interpreter will translate faithfully and conscientiously. Instead of taking a separate oath for each court hearing, interpreters can take a general oath and subsequently refer to it.

For documents drawn up in a foreign language, a court may order the submission of translations whose accuracy and completeness has been certified by an authorized translator.

The authorization includes the right to certify the accuracy and completeness of translations. This also applies to translations that have already been carried out and are submitted for verification of accuracy and completeness.

The general swearing-in as an interpreter and/or the authorization as a translator for language translation for judicial, official and notarial purposes is granted upon written application by the President of the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Regional Court in whose district the applicant has his/her professional establishment or, in the absence of such, his/her place of residence. If there is neither a professional establishment nor a place of residence in Rhineland-Palatinate, this is done by the President of the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz.

The prerequisites for the general swearing-in or authorization are the personal reliability and professional suitability of the applicant. Proof of this must be enclosed with the application.

The general swearing-in or authorization is not associated with a public appointment.

• Application form
• Proof of personal reliability:
  • a handwritten curriculum vitae,
  • a declaration that you are living in good financial circumstances,
  • a declaration that you are willing and actually able to be available at short notice within the scope of your area of activity, and
  • a certificate of good conduct for submission to the authorities (to be applied for at the relevant registration office).
• Proof of professional suitability:
  • Submission of suitable documents; the documents to be submitted on language skills should also enable an assessment of interpreting and translation skills.

Further information can be found on the websites of the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz and the Palatinate Higher Regional Court under "Service & Information".

Personal reliability and professional aptitude.

Professional aptitude requires language competence corresponding to level C 2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in German and the foreign language. According to this, the applicant must be able to understand practically everything they hear or read with ease, summarize information from various written and oral sources and present reasons and explanations in a coherent presentation; they must also be able to express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely and be able to make finer nuances of meaning clear even in more complex situations. The Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages can be consulted at the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Regional Courts.

In addition, knowledge of the German legal language is required.

Proof of personal reliability and professional aptitude must be enclosed with the application.

The State Administration of Justice Costs Act provides for fees both for the authorization to certify the accuracy and completeness of translations and for general interpreter certification. These are as follows:

The President of the competent Higher Regional Court decides on the respective application on the basis of the information provided by the applicant and the documents submitted.

Before being sworn in, the interpreter or translator must be informed of his or her duties and must be obliged to fulfill his or her obligations conscientiously.

For the general swearing-in, the interpreter must take an oath or an affirmation on oath.

A separate record shall be made of the general swearing-in or authorization; the interpreter or translator shall receive a certified copy of this record as proof of the general swearing-in or authorization.

After handing over the corresponding proof

• the interpreter may use the title "Generally sworn interpreter of the ... language for judicial and notarial matters in Rhineland-Palatinate by the President of the Higher Regional Court ..." and
• the translator shall bear the title "Translator of the ... language authorized by the President of the Higher Regional Court ... for judicial matters in Rhineland-Palatinate",

. Subsequently, the interpreters and translators will be included in a list of generally sworn interpreters and authorized translators.

The list shall include

• Name,
• address,
• telecommunications connections and
• the respective language

are included.

The list is published on the Internet (LINK: https://www.justiz-dolmetscher.de/Recherche/), provided that the interpreters or translators concerned have consented in writing to the publication of their data.

In principle, there are no deadlines for submitting applications.

Further information can be found on the websites of the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz and the Palatinate Higher Regional Court under "Service & Information".

An objection to the rejection of the authorization or general swearing-in may be lodged in writing or for the record with the competent President of the Higher Regional Court within one month of the applicant being notified of the negative decision. The competent President of the Higher Regional Court shall decide on the objection.

The Koblenz Higher Regional Court and the Palatinate Higher Regional Court have jurisdiction.

The Koblenz Higher Regional Court and the Palatinate Higher Regional Court have jurisdiction.