How to Get Documents from Russia to Germany
Germany is one of the most popular destination countries for Russian speakers — whether you are moving for work, family reunification, study or permanent residency. In almost all cases, German authorities will require official documents issued in Russia, and these documents must be properly legalized and translated before they can be accepted.
The process of getting Russian documents recognized in Germany involves several steps: obtaining the original document from the Russian registry (ZAGS), getting an apostille, translating the document into German by a sworn translator, and in some cases obtaining additional certifications. Each of these steps can be time-consuming and complicated, especially if you are no longer in Russia. That is where MyDocs24 comes in — we handle the entire process from start to finish, so you can focus on your relocation plans.
Since 2015, we have helped thousands of clients obtain and legalize their Russian documents for use in Germany. Our office in Moscow has direct connections with all relevant authorities, consulates and embassies, which allows us to process your requests quickly and efficiently.
Good news: Both Russia and Germany are members of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. This means that an apostille is sufficient for legalization of most Russian documents in Germany — consular legalization is not required.
Documents We Obtain and Legalize for Germany
Depending on your situation — whether you are applying for a visa, residence permit, citizenship recognition, marriage registration, university admission or employment — you may need different types of documents from Russia. Below are the most commonly requested documents we handle for Germany-bound clients.
Birth Certificate
Required for visa applications, family reunification, citizenship and passport issuance. We obtain a new certificate from ZAGS, apostille it and translate to German.
Marriage Certificate
Needed for spouse visa, family reunification and registration of marriage in Germany. We retrieve, apostille and translate your marriage document.
Divorce Decree
Necessary if you are remarried or applying for certain types of visas. We obtain the court decision, apostille and provide certified German translation.
Diploma & Transcripts
Required for professional recognition (Anerkennung) and job applications in Germany. We apostille your diploma and academic transcripts.
Police Clearance Certificate
Often required for work permits, residence permits and certain visa types. We obtain the certificate from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Property & Power of Attorney
Sale of property in Russia, notarized powers of attorney and other legal documents. We notarize, apostille and translate for German authorities.
Apostille for German Authorities
The apostille is a standardized certification that confirms the authenticity of a public document. When you present a Russian document to a German authority (Ausländerbehörde, Standesamt, Bürgeramt, university, employer), the document must bear an apostille stamp from the competent Russian authority. Without an apostille, your document will not be accepted.
In Russia, apostilles are issued by different authorities depending on the document type. Civil registry documents (birth, marriage, divorce certificates) receive apostilles from the regional ZAGS authorities. Educational documents (diplomas, transcripts) are apostilled by the regional education departments. Court documents and powers of attorney receive apostilles from regional courts. Our team knows exactly which authority to approach for each document type, which saves time and avoids rejections.
The processing time for an apostille in Russia depends on the type of document, the issuing region and the competent authority. Some documents are processed quickly, while others may take longer due to the specific requirements of the issuing authority. Contact us and we will provide you with an individual assessment of the expected processing time for your specific case. Every apostille we obtain is verified for accuracy before we send it to you.
Translation into German
German authorities almost always require that your Russian documents be accompanied by a certified translation into German. This translation must be performed by a sworn translator (vereidigte/r Übersetzerin) who is recognized by German courts. A regular translation, even if it is accurate, will not be accepted by the authorities.
We work with experienced Russian-German translator teams who specialize in legal and official document translations. Our translations include a translator's certification statement (Übersetzererkärung) and are formatted to meet the requirements of German authorities. Each translated document is checked by a second translator for accuracy and completeness before delivery.
Common documents that require German translation include: birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, diplomas, academic transcripts, police clearance certificates, employment records, medical certificates and powers of attorney.
Important: For the recognition of professional qualifications (Anerkennungsverfahren), the German authorities typically require a special form of certified translation. We know the specific requirements for each German federal state and ensure your translations meet them.
How the Process Works
1. Free Consultation
Contact us via WhatsApp or Telegram. Tell us which documents you need and for what purpose (visa, residence permit, Anerkennung, etc.). We will advise you on the exact requirements and provide a detailed price quote with no hidden fees.
2. Document Processing
We obtain your documents from the relevant Russian authorities (ZAGS, universities, police departments, courts). Then we arrange the apostille and professional German translation as needed. You do not need to be in Russia or send any original documents to us.
3. Review & Confirmation
We send you photos of all completed documents — originals, apostilles and translations — for your review. You verify that everything is correct before we ship. No surprises.
4. Delivery to Germany
Your documents are shipped via international courier (DHL, FedEx or similar) with full tracking and insurance. You receive a tracking number to monitor your shipment at every stage.
Why Choose MyDocs24 for Your Documents
- Over 9 years of experience with Russian-German document processing
- Direct connections with ZAGS, apostille authorities and sworn translators
- Over 300 documents processed every month for clients worldwide
- Transparent pricing — you know the full cost before we start
- Personal support in English, Russian and German
- Insured international delivery with full tracking
- No hidden fees — you pay the agreed price, nothing more
Delivery to Germany
We ship documents to any address in Germany using trusted international courier services with full insurance and tracking. Whether you live in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne or any other city — your documents will reach you safely. Every shipment is insured for the full value of the documents, and you receive a tracking number as soon as the package is dispatched. Contact us for an individual assessment of the delivery time for your specific case.