Visiting German public offices can make
the bravest expat feel anxious.

Do you feel stressed just thinking about going to the Ausländerbehörde?

Does the thought of talking in German make you break out in a cold sweat?

Do you hate German bureaucracy and don't have time to deal with it?

Are you worried that your German - or lack thereof - is just going to complicate things?

Our interpreters are experienced, competent and calm.
We’ll get your message across clearly and give you the information you need.

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The whole service is a wonderful antidote to all the bureaucracy. Absolutely recommended for any daunting appointment!

Sally Brockbank, Berlin

Planning a visit soon?

Landesamt für Einwanderung (immigration office)

Residence permit application
Residence permit renewal
Permanent residency
Visa conversion to residence permit
Electronic card (eAT) collection
Permit title change (freelancers or employees)

Standesamt (births, deaths and marriages)

Registration of intent to marriage
Wedding ceremony
Paternity declaration
Birth certificate, death certificate
Name change
Marriage certificate

Employment agency

Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)
Job Center (Social welfare office)
Gründungszuschuss (government grant for self-employed)
Bildungsgutschein (voucher for further education)

Apartment rental and purchase

Notary’s office (to sign a purchase contract)
Real estate agency (apartment rental, handover)
Apartment viewing, flat-share casting
Construction site (apartment acceptance, custom fittings)
Homeowners’ association meeting

Starting a business

Notary’s office (articles of association, commercial register)
Industrie- und Handelskammer (chamber of commerce)
Ordnungsamt (regulatory office for permits)
Gesundheitsamt (health department e.g. for a red card)
Business meeting

Bürgeramt (citizens’ services)

Address registration
Address de-registration
Driver’s license conversion
Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct)
Passport application
Transfer a residence permit to a new passport

Jugendamt (youth welfare office)

Paternity declaration
Custody declaration
Kita Gutschein (childcare voucher)
Elterngeld (parental allowance)
Child protection
Adoption

Finanzamt, district court, pension office

Leaving the church
Tax identification number
Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German statutory pension)
Divorce application

Medical, education

Doctor’s appointment
Hospital admission
Health insurance branch office
School (enrolment or parent teacher interview)
Kita (inspection, enrolment, development meeting)

Miscellaneous

Lost and found office
Police report
Tours
Media interviews

A professional interpreter will accompany you to your appointment.

You can trust us to show up on-time, be well-prepared and stick with you from start to finish.

You won’t have to speak an ounce of German (if you don’t want to).

Quality interpreting

Red Tape Translation has been around in Berlin since 2012. We’re known among the expat community here for being friendly, local and reliable. We are a women-led business and our small, close-knit team represents nine different countries.

Experience

We've been navigating German bureaucracy for 10 years.

Expertise

Our interpreters are professionally trained and enjoy their work.

Flexibility

You can almost always find an interpreter, even at the last minute.

Empathy

All of us have been in your shoes. We know it's stressful, and we'll do our best to make it easy.

Service

We are quick to respond and excellent at solving problems.

Results

You'll leave feeling heard and extremely relieved. Cross it off your list and get on with the fun stuff!

Fantastic service! The translator was punctual, professional and friendly but most importantly set us at ease by being calm and in control.

Shani Moffat, Berlin

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Why choose Red Tape Translation?

Real interpreters
You get an experienced interpreter who knows how to handle a variety of situations. We’ll send the right interpreter with the right background and skill set for your circumstances. Some of our interpreters specialise, e.g. in legal or medical translation. You don’t have to place your hopes on well-meaning locals winging it with intermediate German.
Great customer service
You receive excellent customer service every step of the way. We are well-known for it – just look at the reviews.
Up-to-date knowledge
You get support from professional interpreters who have gone through extensive training and stay up-to-date on all things related to German bureaucracy. It’s nerdy, but we have internal WhatsApp and Slack channels just for exchanging public office gossip between colleagues.
Reliable
You can trust us to show up well-prepared and on-time. If there is specialist vocabulary we need to revise, we’ll have done the research before we get there.
Bureaucrat whisperers
When things get frosty, watch us skilfully get the case worker back on your side. If we spot a cat calendar on the wall or a stick man drawn by a three-year old, we’ll use it to build rapport if appropriate. Sometimes it’s about striking the right tone to get the most favourable result for you.
Problem solvers
You can ask us what to do next when Germany throws you a curveball. If you want us to, we can make suggestions that save you headaches later down the track. If we don’t know, we’ll know someone you can talk to who does. And in the rare case that things go very wrong on the day, you can trust us to handle it smoothly and professionally.
Relief
You will feel at ease with a Red Tape translator beside you. We genuinely enjoy chatting to you in the waiting room, sharing our knowledge, doing our job and helping you. The most rewarding bit for us is the relief and euphoria you’ll feel once it’s all over.