Certification
Official
Certification of documents in Aachen
Certification of Documents in Aachen: Your Guide through the Bureaucratic Jungle!
Certification of documents in Aachen can become a real challenge. Different offices, fees, and requirements often make it difficult to keep track. Find out which authorities and institutions offer certifications, which documents are accepted, and how to prepare optimally. Do you need assistance in preparing your documents? Get in contact with us.
The topic briefly and concisely
For the certification of documents in Aachen, various offices are available to you, including the StädteRegion Aachen, the Aachen Citizens' Service and the AStA of RWTH Aachen. Please note the respective requirements and costs.
The cost of a certification varies depending on the office and type of document. At the Citizens' Service Aachen, for example, it costs €4.00 per page, while the AStA of RWTH Aachen offers certification for students free of charge.
In addition to simple certification, there is also the apostille and legalisation, which are required for the use of documents abroad. The Regional Court of Aachen is responsible for apostilles, but only for certain documents.
Do you require certification for your documents in Aachen? This article guides you through the various points of contact, fees, and requirements. Quickly and easily find the right solution for your needs!
What is a certification and why is it important in Aachen?
Do you need a certification of documents in Aachen? Whether for applications, requests, or other official purposes – a certification confirms the authenticity of a copy. But what exactly does it mean, and where can you obtain this in Aachen? At Mentoc, we help you stay informed and find the right path for your officially certified documents.
Definition of Certification
A certification is the confirmation of the authenticity of a copy of a document. It serves to ensure that the copy corresponds to the original. This is particularly important when you need to submit documents to authorities or institutions. An official certification carries more evidential weight than a simple copy.
What does "officially certified" mean?
Confirmation of authenticity: An official certification confirms that the copy of a document matches the original.
Ensuring compliance: It guarantees that no changes or manipulations have been made to the copy.
Importance of Certification in Aachen
In Aachen, as elsewhere, the certification of documents is often essential to smoothly process official matters. Whether it involves certificates for applications at RWTH Aachen or documents for administrative procedures, certification creates trust and acceptance.
What do you need certifications for?
Applications to authorities and institutions: Many authorities and institutions require certified copies of certificates and other documents.
Requests and evidence for official purposes: For various requests and evidence, such as when applying for grants, certified documents are required.
Overview of different types of certifications
There are different types of certifications, depending on the purpose and type of document. For example, there is a distinction between certifications for domestic and foreign purposes. For use abroad, an apostille or legalization may be required.
Which documents can be certified?
Certificates, documents, identity documents (partially): Most authorities certify certificates, documents, and in certain cases, also identity documents.
Distinction between documents for domestic and foreign purposes: Depending on where you wish to use the document, you will need either a simple certification, an apostille, or a legalization.
Certification in Aachen: Here are your contact points
Where can you have documents certified in Aachen?
In Aachen, there are various places you can turn to for certifying your documents. The right choice depends on the type of document and its intended use. At Mentoc, we assist you in finding the suitable option to save time and money.
StädteRegion Aachen
The StädteRegion Aachen offers official certifications at the information desk of the building on Zollernstraße 10. Please note that an appointment under +49 241 5198-2321 is required and payment can only be made by card. The fees may vary depending on the type of certification needed.
Location and Contact Information
Zollernstraße 10, 52070 Aachen.
Phone: +49 241 5198-2321 (appointment required).
Conditions and Restrictions
The original must have been issued by a German authority or be intended for one.
Payment only by card possible.
Citizen Service Aachen
The Citizen Service Aachen also offers certification of document copies. An important prerequisite is that the original document must either have been issued by a German authority or be intended for one. The decision to certify a copy is at the discretion of the Citizen Service and occurs upon presentation of the document. Note the exclusion criteria, such as documents not issued by or for a German authority.
Locations and Appointment Scheduling
Citizen Service Aachen-Centre (Bahnhofplatz and Katschhof), district offices.
Online or phone appointment scheduling required.
Conditions and Restrictions
The original must have been issued by a German authority or be intended for one.
Observe exclusion criteria (see below).
AStA of RWTH Aachen
The AStA of RWTH Aachen offers a special service for students. It certifies documents for students of RWTH Aachen free of charge, but only academic documents such as certificates and internship confirmations. The copies must be brought by the student, be one-sided and legible. The original must also be presented.
Target Group and Documents
Free certification for students of RWTH Aachen.
Exclusively for academic documents (certificates, internship confirmations, etc.).
Conditions and Restrictions
The original and copy must be presented by the student.
Documents must be intended for public authorities or institutions.
Other Options
In addition to the mentioned places, there are further possibilities for having documents certified in Aachen. Notaries can, for instance, certify private documents and certain legal matters. Some churches also offer certifications, with availability and costs varying.
Notaries
For private documents and certain legal matters.
Churches (partially)
May offer certifications, availability and costs may vary.
Which documents are eligible for certification in Aachen?
What documents can be certified and which are excluded?
Not every document can be certified just like that. There are clear rules about which documents can be certified and which cannot. At Mentoc, we help you to determine whether your document is eligible for certification and what alternatives exist.
Documents that can generally be certified
Documents that can generally be certified include academic documents such as certificates and diplomas, which can be certified by the AStA or the citizen's office, for instance. Also, official documents issued by German authorities are usually eligible for certification.
Academic documents
Certificates, diplomas, enrolment certificates (AStA, citizen's office).
Official documents
Documents issued by German authorities (Citizen Service, City Region).
Documents that are generally excluded
However, there are also documents that are generally excluded from certification. These include, for example, identity cards and passports, which the AStA explicitly excludes. Also, civil status certificates such as birth and marriage certificates are usually processed by the registry office.
Identity cards and passports (partially)
Explicitly excluded by AStA.
Civil status certificates (birth certificates, marriage certificates)
Processed by the registry office.
Driving licenses (partially)
Only certifiable in exceptional cases.
Foreign documents (partially)
May require a certified translation.
Private documents for private purposes
Usually only through a notary.
Certified document authentication in Aachen: Here’s how the costs add up
Costs for Certification in Aachen
The costs for certification can vary depending on the office and type of document. It is therefore advisable to inquire in advance about the applicable fees. At Mentoc, we provide you with an overview of the costs for certifying documents in Aachen.
Cost Overview
At the Bürgerservice Aachen, for example, the charge is €4.00 per page. The StädteRegion Aachen also charges €4.00 per page for document copies and €1.50 per signature. The AStA of RWTH Aachen offers certification free of charge for students, but only for academic documents. With notaries, costs vary depending on the effort involved.
Bürgerservice Aachen
€4.00 per page.
StädteRegion Aachen
€4.00 per page for document copies, €1.50 per signature.
AStA of RWTH Aachen
Free for students (academic documents).
Notaries
Costs vary depending on effort.
Payment Methods
Please note that only card payment is possible at StädteRegion Aachen. Therefore, find out in advance about the accepted payment methods at the respective office.
StädteRegion Aachen
Card payment only.
Certification in Aachen: Important Notes and Requirements
Important notes and requirements for certification
To ensure smooth certification, you should pay attention to some important notes and requirements. We at Mentoc have summarised the key points for you so that you are well prepared.
General Requirements
Typically, the original document must be presented. The copy must be complete and legible and should be single-sided. An appointment is required at most locations.
Original Document
Must be presented.
Copy
Must be complete and legible.
Should be single-sided.
Appointment
Required at most locations (Citizen Services, StädteRegion).
Exclusion Criteria
There are also some exclusion criteria that must be taken into account. These include, for example, incomplete or illegible copies, documents that are not intended for or by German authorities, alterations to the original document (e.g. removed staples), and documents in foreign languages (without translation).
Incomplete or illegible copies
Documents not from/for German authorities
Alterations to the original document (e.g. removed staples)
Documents in foreign languages (without translation)
Apostille vs. Certification: What is the difference?
Apostille and Legalisation – What is the difference from Certification?
In addition to simple certification, there is also the apostille and legalisation. These are required when documents need to be used abroad. At Mentoc, we explain the differences and responsibilities in Aachen.
Definitions
The certification confirms the authenticity of a copy. The apostille is a simplified form of legalisation for documents to be used in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention. Legalisation is the confirmation of a document’s authenticity by a diplomatic mission.
Certification
Confirmation of the authenticity of a copy.
Apostille
Simplified form of legalisation for documents to be used in certain countries (Hague Convention).
Legalisation
Confirmation of the authenticity of a document by a diplomatic mission.
Responsibilities in Aachen
In Aachen, the Aachen District Court is responsible for apostilles and legalisations, but only for notarial documents, court documents, etc. For documents from cities and municipalities, the Cologne District Government is responsible.
Aachen District Court
Apostilles and legalisations for notarial documents, court documents, etc.
Cologne District Government
Documents from cities and municipalities (e.g., birth certificates).
Application Procedure
The application at the Aachen District Court is generally made by post. The fee is €25.00 per document, payable by electronic fee mark.
Aachen District Court
Application generally by post.
Fee: €25.00 per document (electronic fee mark).
Certification in Aachen: How to Save Time and Effort
Conclusion and Summary
The certification of documents in Aachen can be a challenge, but with the right preparation and information, you can save both time and stress. At Mentoc, we have compiled the key points for you and provide final recommendations.
Summary of Key Points
There are various places for certifications in Aachen, such as the Aachen City Region, Aachen Citizen Service, and the AStA of RWTH Aachen. Be aware of the respective conditions and costs. Differentiate between certification, apostille, and legalisation.
Various Places for Certifications in Aachen
Pay Attention to Conditions and Costs
Distinction Between Certification, Apostille, and Legalisation
Recommendations
Inform yourself in advance and schedule an appointment. Prepare the original document and the copy. Compare the costs of different places. With these tips, you are well-equipped for the certification of your documents in Aachen.
Inform in Advance and Schedule an Appointment
Prepare Original Document and Copy
Compare Costs
Need support with the certification of your documents? At Mentoc, we offer you professional translations and certifications for all your documents. Contact us today to receive a non-binding offer.
More useful links
Der Landgericht Aachen provides information on applying for apostilles and legalisations for documents intended for use abroad.
Die StädteRegion Aachen offers information on official certifications, including contact details and conditions.
Der Bürgerservice Aachen provides details about services related to the certification of document copies, including prerequisites and locations.
Der AStA der RWTH Aachen informs students about the free certification service for academic documents.
FAQ
What does "official certification" mean in Aachen?
An official certification confirms that a copy of a document matches the original. It is carried out by a government office or a notary and holds more evidential weight than a simple copy.
Where can I get documents officially certified in Aachen?
In Aachen, you can have documents certified at the StädteRegion Aachen, the Citizen Service Aachen, or the AStA of RWTH Aachen, among others. Please note the respective requirements and restrictions.
Which documents can the AStA of RWTH Aachen certify?
The AStA of RWTH Aachen certifies free of charge academic documents such as certificates and internship confirmations for students of RWTH Aachen. The documents must be intended for public authorities or institutions.
What does certification cost at Citizen Service Aachen?
The Citizen Service Aachen charges €4.00 per page for certifying copies of documents. An appointment is required.
Which documents are excluded from certification?
Generally, ID cards, passports (partially), civil status documents, and private documents for personal purposes are excluded from certification. For foreign documents, a certified translation may be necessary.
What is the difference between certification and an apostille?
Certification confirms the authenticity of a copy. An apostille is a simplified form of legalisation for documents to be used abroad, particularly in countries that are members of the Hague Convention.
Where can I obtain an apostille for documents from Aachen?
The District Court of Aachen is responsible for apostilles in Aachen, but only for notarial documents and court documents. For documents from cities and municipalities, the District Government of Cologne is responsible.
Can Mentoc assist me with certifying my documents in Aachen?
Yes, Mentoc provides professional translations and certifications for all your documents. Contact us to receive a non-binding offer.
