Translate a Notary Certificate to Spanish for Company Verification

What a German Notary Certificate Contains

A German notary certificate for company registration typically combines a current extract from the Handelsregister (commercial register) with the notary’s own certification. It confirms the legal existence of a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) or other legal entity. You will see the company’s registered name, legal form, registered office (often the city, such as Hannover or Frankfurt), the Handelsregister number (HRB), share capital, the names of managing directors and their representation rules, and the date of the extract. The notary then adds a dated certification block, seal, and signature, confirming that the extract is true and complete. Because the document is often issued bilingually or in English, many Spanish authorities still require a formal Spanish translation.

Common English Terms and Their Spanish Equivalents

English Term	Spanish Equivalent
commercial register extract	extracto del registro mercantil
notarial certification	certificación notarial
share capital	capital social
managing director	administrador / director general
authorized signatory	apoderado / representante autorizado
representation	representación
legal entity	persona jurídica
GmbH	sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (S.L.) / GmbH (se mantiene)
company registration	inscripción de la empresa

Why Translate a Notary Certificate for Company Registration Verification

When a German company expands into Spain, the Spanish notary, commercial registry (Registro Mercantil), tax agency (Agencia Tributaria), or a local bank will often require a Spanish version of the corporate documents. Common scenarios include opening a Spanish bank account for the subsidiary, registering a branch (sucursal), verifying the company’s legal standing during supplier due‑diligence, or providing proof of the legal representative’s powers. Even if the German extract is supplied in English, a Spanish authority will normally insist on an official Spanish translation. Having an accurate translation ready speeds up the entire registration and compliance process.

AI Translation vs. On‑Demand Certified Translation: When to Use Each

Lekhak’s self‑serve AI translation delivers a complete Spanish draft in minutes. It is ideal for internal review, understanding the company structure, preparing a working file for your Spanish lawyer, or sharing with a local partner before committing to a formal submission. Because there is no signed certificate attached, the instant AI output should not be submitted where an authority explicitly demands a certified translation. If the document must be lodged with the Spanish commercial registry, a notary, or a bank’s compliance department, Lekhak offers certified translation on‑demand for those official submissions. Using the AI draft first lets you verify all details before ordering the certified version.

What Lekhak’s AI Translation Delivers

When you upload the English notary certificate, Lekhak’s translation pipeline processes it and returns a DOCX file in minutes. The output preserves the original layout: tables containing company data, logos, seals, and the overall structure of the extract remain intact. Company names, registration numbers, share capital figures, and director details are rendered accurately. The AI translation reflects the content faithfully without adding or omitting information. You receive a clean, editable DOCX that you can share with colleagues or forward to a Spanish legal adviser for review. No physical delivery is involved; everything is digital and self‑serve.

When You Need Notarisation, Apostille, or Embassy Legalisation

The original German notary certificate already bears a notary’s seal and signature. For use in Spain, you may need an Apostille under the Hague Convention. The apostille is issued by the competent German authority (usually the Landgericht) and attests to the notary’s status. This is a separate step from translation; you arrange the apostille directly with the German authorities. If a Spanish institution also requires that the translated version be officially recognised, a sworn or certified translation can be combined with the apostilled original. Lekhak’s on‑demand certified translation can serve as that sworn-language component, but the apostille itself remains outside the translation process.

How to Get a Duplicate Handelsregister Extract if the Original Is Lost

If the original notarised extract is misplaced, request a new one from the Amtsgericht (local court) where the company is registered. The centralised portal handelsregister.de allows you to order a current Handelsregister extract online for most German federal states. The extract is delivered as a digitally signed PDF. If you need a notarised paper copy, the same court or the original notary who issued the earlier certificate can provide one. Once you have the fresh extract, you can upload it to Lekhak for an immediate Spanish translation, and if required, proceed with the apostille through the German authorities and the certified translation on‑demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Lekhak translate a notary certificate in minutes?

Yes. Upload the English document and the AI translation engine produces a Spanish DOCX within minutes, preserving the original layout and all key data.

Will Spanish authorities accept an AI‑translated notary certificate?

In most official procedures, commercial registry filings, tax agency submissions, or bank account openings, authorities require a certified translation. The instant AI draft is best used for internal review or as a working copy before ordering the certified version.

Does Lekhak provide a certified translation for company registration documents?

Lekhak offers certified translation on‑demand for documents that must be submitted to Spanish registries, notaries, or banks. This is a separate, non‑self‑serve path arranged for your submission needs.

What is the difference between notarisation, apostille, and embassy legalisation?

Notarisation is the original German notary’s certification of the extract. An apostille is a certificate from the German authorities confirming the notary’s signature, used when Spain recognises the Hague Apostille Convention. Embassy legalisation is required for non‑Hague countries and is not needed between Germany and Spain.

How do I get a German company extract translated into Spanish if the original is in English?

Upload the English‑language notary certificate directly to Lekhak. The AI translates the entire document into Spanish, handling legal‑commercial terminology and maintaining the structure. If the destination requires a sworn translation, Lekhak’s on‑demand certified service can deliver it.

Can I use the AI translation directly when opening a Spanish bank account?

Spanish banks typically ask for a certified translation of corporate documents for compliance. The AI draft lets you understand the content and prepare ahead, but you will likely need the on‑demand certified version for the bank’s final submission.

How secure is my document when I upload it to Lekhak?

Uploaded files are encrypted in transit and at rest. Lekhak processes them solely for translation and does not share them with third parties. Once you download the result, you retain full control over the original and the translated copy.

What register of Spanish does the translation use?

Lekhak’s AI produces a neutral, standard Spanish suitable for official and commercial documents. It avoids regional colloquialisms and uses terminology consistent with Spanish corporate and notarial practice.

Can I edit the translated DOCX after downloading it?

Yes. The output is a fully editable Microsoft Word file. You can adjust formatting, incorporate additional notes from your legal adviser, or update company details before final use.

How long does the AI translation take?

The self‑serve translation is completed within minutes. You receive a notification and can download the DOCX immediately once processing finishes.

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