Anerkennen ausländischer Schulabschlüsse

If you would like a certificate stating which Lower Saxony school-leaving qualification your qualification or certificate obtained abroad corresponds to, you can apply for this under certain conditions.

You can apply for the equivalence of your school-leaving qualification/certificate obtained abroad if you ...

- live in Lower Saxony or

- live abroad and have a training place or job offer in Lower Saxony.

As a rule, the following documents are required:

1. Completed application form
   
2. A description of your school career with these details:

When did you go to school, where and for how many years? If you have already studied, please state where and how many semesters you have studied.

1. Officially or notarized copies of your school reports. Transcripts with a list of subjects and grades must be submitted in the original language and as a German translation.

Please do not send originals.

Notarizations are issued by cities, municipalities, joint municipalities and districts (e.g. in the town hall) or by a notary.

If you are still living abroad, you can contact the German embassy.

The translation must be prepared by a translator sworn in Germany. You can find an overview of authorized translators in Germany online at justiz-dolmetscher.de.

No translation is required for certificates in English, French or Spanish.

1. Copy of proof of identity (e.g. identity card, passport or residence permit).

1. A certificate of residence in Lower Saxony. If you live abroad, proof of a training place or job offer in Lower Saxony.

As a rule, the following documents are required:

1. Completed application form
   
2. A description of your school career with these details:

When did you go to school, where and for how many years? If you have already studied, please state where and how many semesters you have studied.

1. Officially or notarized copies of your school reports. Transcripts with a list of subjects and grades must be submitted in the original language and as a German translation.

Please do not send originals.

Notarizations are issued by cities, municipalities, joint municipalities and districts (e.g. in the town hall) or by a notary.

If you are still living abroad, you can contact the German embassy.

The translation must be prepared by a translator sworn in Germany. You can find an overview of authorized translators in Germany online at justiz-dolmetscher.de.

No translation is required for certificates in English, French or Spanish.

1. Copy of proof of identity (e.g. identity card, passport or residence permit).

1. A certificate of residence in Lower Saxony. If you live abroad, proof of a training place or job offer in Lower Saxony.

1. In the event of a change of name that is not shown on your identity card, a marriage certificate or an extract from the family register in the original language and as a German translation, for example, must be submitted.

The application form and the officially certified certificates must be submitted by post. The other documents can be submitted by e-mail.

For recognition purposes, the Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg will check whether your foreign school-leaving certificate/your foreign certificate corresponds to a Lower Saxony school-leaving certificate on the basis of your certificates.

None

Administrative recourse is available.

The notice of recognition will be accompanied by specific information on legal remedies, indicating the deadline for taking legal action and the competent administrative court.

You can apply for recognition of your school-leaving qualification if you

- lives in Lower Saxony or

- lives abroad and has a training place or job offer in Lower Saxony.

We are not responsible if someone ...

Regional State Office for Schools and Education Lüneburg

Department Central Tasks

Department of Recognition Procedures for Foreign Educational Qualifications

Auf der Hude 2

21339 Lüneburg

E-mail address: zeugnisanerkennung@rlsb-lg.niedersachsen.de

Telephone availability: 04131 15 2626

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 09:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00.

Friday: 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.

Visits by appointment only.

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No