CertTranslateCertTranslate
Notarized translation standardVerified June 2026

Document Translation Requirements in Denmark

Official bodies in Denmark generally require a notarized translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.

Key facts

Denmark follows a certified-translation standard: since the state-authorized translator scheme was abolished in 2016, a translation by any competent translator with a signed declaration of accuracy is accepted. For a Danish document used in the United States, a certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy is what USCIS and universities accept. Denmark has been in the Hague Apostille Convention since 2007, so a Danish document is apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Udenrigsministeriet) — not consularized.

Reviewed by Klaus Weber, European Medical & Scientific Translator · Medical translation specialist — DE / NL· Last verified June 2026

Denmark requirements at a glance

Translation standardNotarized translation (Notarised)
Who can translateAny competent translator providing a signed declaration of accuracy
ApostilleRequired if the document or translation will be used abroad
Apostille authorityThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Udenrigsministeriet) Legalisation Office — the sole competent authority.
Accepted languagesDanish (or as required by receiving authority)
Responsible authorityDanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Important: If a translation is to be legalised or apostilled for use abroad, the translator’s statutory declaration must first be confirmed by a Danish Notary Public or authorised Chamber of Commerce before submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who can translate documents for use in Denmark?

Denmark does not operate a sworn translator system. Any competent translator may produce a translation, provided they sign a statutory declaration confirming that it is accurate. For professional translation services, you can search for certified translators and interpreters via the Danish Translators Association: Translatorforeningen – Find a professional .

What makes a translation official in Denmark?

For official recognition—particularly if the translated document is to be used abroad—the translation must include:
  • A signed declaration of accuracy by the translator
  • Verification of the declaration by a Notary Public at a Danish city court or confirmation by a Chamber of Commerce
  • Only after this verification can the translation be apostilled or legalised by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    How does Denmark treat documents from abroad?

    If a foreign document is submitted to Danish authorities, the receiving authority determines whether translation is required. If a Danish document (with attached translation) is to be used outside Denmark, it must generally be apostilled or legalised after the statutory declaration has been verified.

    Legal basis

    Denmark no longer maintains a certified translator appointment scheme. Translation and legalisation procedures are administered by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Verification of translator declarations is carried out by Danish notaries public or relevant Chambers of Commerce before apostille issuance.

    Apostille & legalization for Denmark

    Denmark is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 2007), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.

    Documents from Denmark

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Udenrigsministeriet) Legalisation Office — the sole competent authority.Denmark has been a party to the Convention since 2007; the state-authorized translator scheme was abolished on 1 January 2016.

    U.S. documents going to Denmark

    A U.S. document going to Denmark is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and translated where required.

    The apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the apostille certificate is translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a translation with e-apostille.

    How to get a Denmark document translation accepted

    1. 1

      Order a certified English translation of the document

      Cover the civil-registry (CPR) data, stamps, and any apostille, with a signed Certificate of Accuracy.

    2. 2

      Reproduce Danish letters exactly

      Names carry æ, ø, and å, which must be kept as written so the name matches the passport.

    3. 3

      Submit the original plus the certified translation

      File them with USCIS, the university, or the credential evaluator.

    Ready to get your documents translated?

    Certified for USCIS, universities, and credential evaluators — from $24.95/page.

    Start my translation

    Which direction are your documents going?

    Translating Danish documents for the U.S.?

    Danish birth certificates, diplomas, and transcripts submitted to USCIS, universities, or credential evaluators need a certified English translation — that is exactly what we do — backed by our revise-free-or-refund acceptance guarantee.

    Sending U.S. documents to Denmark?

    U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in Denmark — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.

    Why Denmark document translations get rejected

    The mistakes we see most often on Danish documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.

    Danish letters æ, ø, å dropped from a name

    Flattening these letters changes the spelling and breaks the match with the passport.

    The Danish 7-point grade scale read as a percentage

    Danish grades run 12, 10, 7, 4, 02, 00, -3; reading them as percentages or U.S. points distorts the record a credential evaluator computes.

    Only part of the document translated

    The whole document, including stamps and seals, must be rendered.

    Cost & turnaround

    $24.95/ page

    A one-page attest is priced as a single page; multi-page records are priced by their page count. Standard delivery is 24–48 hours, with notarization and e-apostille available as add-ons. See full pricing.

    Denmark translation requirements — FAQ

    Does Denmark still require a state-authorized translator?

    No. Denmark abolished the state-authorized translator (statsautoriseret translatør) scheme on 1 January 2016. A translation by a competent translator with a signed declaration of accuracy is accepted.

    what a certified translation is
    Is Denmark in the Hague Apostille Convention?

    Yes, since 2007. A Danish public document used abroad is apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Udenrigsministeriet), the sole competent authority.

    how apostilles work
    How are Danish letters handled in a translation?

    Names use æ, ø, and å. A certified translation reproduces them exactly, because dropping a letter changes the spelling and breaks the match with the passport.

    birth certificate translation
    How are Danish grades translated for WES?

    Denmark uses the 7-point scale (12, 10, 7, 4, 02, 00, -3). A certified transcript translation preserves the scale so WES or ECE can map it, rather than converting to a U.S. GPA.

    WES translation
    Which languages do you translate?

    We translate Danish and 60+ other languages into English, each with a signed Certificate of Accuracy, for USCIS, universities, and evaluators.

    languages we translate
    How much does a Danish document translation cost?

    Pricing is per page. A one-page attest is a single page; multi-page records are priced by page count.

    see live pricing
    Can I translate my own Danish documents?

    No. USCIS and universities reject self-translation; an independent translator must complete and certify it.

    what a certified translation is

    Requirements in related countries

    Neighbors and countries with a similar translation standard.

    Sources

    Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.

    Need a certified translation?

    Signed Certificate of Accuracy with every order, a revise-free-or-refund acceptance guarantee, optional notarization and e-apostille — delivered in 24–48 hours.