Certification of signatures and copies for use in Germany

• Photocopies and signatures can be certified at the Embassy.
• Certification can only be carried out if originals or already certified photocopies/translations are submitted.
• Since 2010, the embassy has no longer certified signatures for bank account openings.
• The documents must be written in German, French or English and must be intended for use in Germany or Rwanda.
• Please book an appointment online for the certification of signatures and photocopies.

Certification of a signature:

• By certifying a signature the consular officer confirms that the person indicated in the document was physically present and signed it in front of him or her.
• Please bring:
  
  • your valid passport,
  • the document to be signed
  • a proof of address in Rwanda (e.g. utility bill, not bank statements)
  • the fee in cash in RWF (depending on the purpose of the certification, either 56,43 or 79,57 Euros, payable in cash in RWF).

• Since the embassy must first check in some legal matters (e.g. real estate, commercial, divorce law) whether a signature certification is possible, it is recommended to contact us beforehand using the contact form and send the document.

Certified copies:

• Please bring:
  • the original documents,
  • the fee in cash in RWF: The current fee for the certification of one photocopy is the RWF equivalent of 23,22 Euros. The German Embassy only accepts cash in RWF.
• The Embassy will make the copy.

Translations

• The Embassy cannot translate documents.
• There are no sworn translators in Rwanda.
• You can find a translator in Germany via the Databank of Interpreters and translators of the individual states of the Federal Republic of Germany (in German and English). The Embassy can give no guarantee for the content, quality or cost of translations.
• It is strongly advised to have birth and marriage certificates issued by the German registry office as “international documents”. The Embassy can certify a photocopy of these civil status documents on presentation of the originals (as confirmation for “immigration”).

Notarisation

• More information on paternity acknowledgments and custody declarations under German law can be found here.
• Please use our contact form for enquiries about these and other certifications.
• The Embassy cannot conclude or certify marriages or partnerships.

Legalization of Rwandan documents

Please find more Information here.