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Certified German Vehicle Title Translation
Certified translation of the documents that record the ownership and registration of a vehicle in Germany, including the registry annotations and endorsements that carry the legal effect and that a reader unfamiliar with the system will otherwise skip.
$24.95/page
Flat rate per page, up to 250 words. No hidden fees.
100% USCIS acceptance
Every certified translation is guaranteed to be accepted by USCIS.
24-hour delivery
Most 1-3 page documents are delivered within 24 hours. Same-day available.
Teil I and Teil II, and neither is a title
Germany issues Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I (the old Fahrzeugschein, carried in the car) and Teil II (the old Fahrzeugbrief, kept at home) — and crucially neither proves ownership.
Teil II creates only a presumption, and German law distinguishes the Halter (the registered keeper, responsible for the vehicle) from the Eigentümer (the owner). A US reader reading Teil II as a title misunderstands it, and we translate the distinction.
Why the bank holds Teil II
A financed German car has its Teil II held by the lender as security, since possession of the document is what practically prevents a sale.
So a seller without Teil II is very likely still financing it. That absence is information rather than an oversight, and we say what the missing document means.
Exporting, and the deregistration
Exporting a German vehicle requires deregistration (Abmeldung) at the Zulassungsstelle, producing an export registration with export plates, and Teil II is surrendered or stamped.
A US registry will want the deregistered Teil II and the export papers. We translate both and the stamps on them.
HSN and TSN, and the emissions class
German papers identify a vehicle by HSN (manufacturer key) and TSN (type key) as well as the VIN, and they state the emissions class and the Hauptuntersuchung inspection date.
Those codes are how German systems identify the model. See our German page.
Ordering, and what the certification covers
Upload the document, choose certified translation at $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, and it comes back typically within 24 hours as a PDF formatted to mirror the original, with a signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead. Marginal annotations are translated in place, in the margin, and every seal, stamp and registry endorsement is translated with the text. See how we translate and certified versus standard.
Frequently asked questions
Is Teil II my title?
No. It creates a presumption of ownership, not proof. German law separates the keeper from the owner.
The seller does not have Teil II.
It is very likely held by the lender as security. The absence is information.
What do I need to export?
Deregistration at the Zulassungsstelle, the export registration and the surrendered or stamped Teil II.
What are HSN and TSN?
The manufacturer and type keys German systems use to identify the model.
Ready to get started?
Upload the document and receive the certified translation, typically within 24 hours.