German interpreters and translation services.
German is the official language of Germany and Austria and one of Switzerland's four national languages. California has more Germany-born residents than any other state, and Los Angeles County has more than any other U.S. county, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. AMS supplies German interpreters for depositions, attorney-client meetings, and IMEs, in person and remotely by Zoom or phone, plus German document translation. German is not one of California's certified court languages, so tell us about the proceeding and we will match a qualified interpreter.
Most quote requests are answered within 10 minutes.
German varieties and dialects we handle
Standard German (Hochdeutsch)
The written and formal standard in Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland, with small national differences. It is the language of law in Germany and Austria and one of the three official languages of Swiss federal law.
Austrian German
Standard German with its own vocabulary in law, government, and daily life. Tell us if the witness or the documents are Austrian.
Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)
Spoken Swiss German dialects can be hard for other German speakers to follow, while official and other formal Swiss documents are written in Standard German. Tell us if the witness is Swiss.
Regional dialects
Many Germans also speak a regional dialect such as Bavarian or Swabian. Tell us where the witness is from if the testimony may turn on local speech.
What we do in German
Legal interpreting
Depositions, EUOs, IMEs, arbitrations, mediations, and trials in state and federal court.
Medical interpreting
IMEs, AME and QME panels, psychological evaluations, hospital interpreting, and workers-compensation medical appointments.
Document translation
Certified translation of legal documents, medical records, USCIS submissions, academic transcripts, and corporate materials.
Audio transcription
Verbatim transcription of depositions, recorded statements, surveillance audio, and recorded interviews.
Video remote interpreting (VRI)
Same-day VRI for telehealth, remote depositions, and any matter where on-site is not practical.
Conference and corporate interpreting
Simultaneous and consecutive interpreting for trade shows, internal meetings, and major events.
Cities and metros where AMS supplies German
Why AMS for German
Built around deposition work
Most of AMS's German assignments are depositions, for law firms and court reporting firms, in person or remote.
German documents for litigation
AMS translates German court records, police certificates, and civil records such as birth certificates and divorce decrees, with the translator's certification statement.
One point of contact, anytime online scheduling
Request a quote online anytime and keep one scheduling contact from quote through invoice. For short-notice requests, call our office at (800) 919-2029.
German interpreting questions, answered
Does California certify German court interpreters?
No. German is not on the Judicial Council of California's list of certified spoken languages. The Judicial Council lists German among its registered languages, which have an oral proficiency exam in the language. AMS supplies qualified German interpreters; ask about a specific interpreter's credentials when you request a quote.
Does it matter whether the witness is from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland?
It can. Standard German is shared, but vocabulary differs, and spoken Swiss German dialects are hard for many other German speakers to follow. Tell us where the witness is from and we will match the interpreter.
Does AMS provide German interpreters for depositions?
Yes. Depositions are most of AMS's German work, along with attorney-client meetings and IMEs, in person and remotely by Zoom or phone.
Is there a federal court certification for German?
No. The federal courts' interpreter certification program covers Spanish; the programs for Navajo and Haitian Creole are no longer offered. Federal courts use professionally qualified or language-skilled interpreters for German.
Does AMS translate German documents?
Yes. AMS translates German documents for litigation, USCIS filings, and the courts, with the translator's certification statement those filings require.
Further reading
Which California languages need a certified interpreter
How the designated language list works, how to verify the current position yourself, and what to do when a language is not on it.
Certified or registered: which you may use at a deposition
The tier is set by statute and turns on whether the Judicial Council has designated the language.
What is a certified court interpreter, and why does it matter?
The three working tiers of court interpreter, and the consequences of hiring the wrong one.
California Court Interpreter Program: what counts as certified
How California certifies court interpreters, what languages are covered.
Court interpreter ethics: the four canons
The ethical standards that govern interpreter conduct in legal proceedings.
How to hire a medical interpreter for an IME
A practical checklist for scheduling medical interpretation.
Video remote interpreting (VRI): when it works and when it does not
A practical guide to choosing between on-site, telephonic, and video remote interpreting.
Certified vs. notarized translation: what each one means
The most common translation document statuses, explained for non-specialists.
Schedule a German interpreter
Same-day German interpreting is available. Request a quote or call our scheduling team.
Most quote requests are answered within 10 minutes.