English · Notary in Norderstedt near Hamburg
Notary services in English
Rechtsanwalt und Notar Thomas Seidel — a German lawyer and notary public based in Norderstedt, directly next to the local court and two minutes from the U1 metro (Norderstedt Mitte). Consultations and notarial appointments can be held in English; the notary translates the deed himself, so no interpreter is required.
This page explains how language works in a German notarial appointment, what we do, what it costs — and how to reach us. Detailed pages are available in German; your browser can translate them if you wish.
KONTORHAUS · Rathausallee 64–66 · free parking · statutory fees, identical at every German notary
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A short introduction in English is in production
In the meantime: call +49 40 320 46 390 or use the form below — we answer in English.
The key question
In which language is the deed drawn up?
A German notarial deed is normally drawn up in German — and there is a practical reason for that: German is the official language of the authorities the deed has to pass through, in particular the land registry, the commercial register and the courts. A deed written entirely in English is legally possible if all parties expressly request it (§ 5 BeurkG), but it is rarely the sensible route, because certified translations would then be needed for every register filing.
What happens instead: the deed is read out in German and translated sentence by sentence into your language during the appointment (§ 16 BeurkG). Two situations:
English — no interpreter needed
The notary translates the deed into English himself during the appointment. You do not have to find, book or pay an external interpreter — a separate statutory fee applies for the translation by the notary. This usually makes the appointment considerably simpler and quicker to arrange.
Any other language — with an interpreter
Notarial deeds can be executed in any language with an interpreter. The parties arrange the interpreter themselves. The interpreter does not have to be publicly sworn — it is sufficient that they have a good command of both languages. However, they must not be related to the parties, and none of the other exclusions of the German Notarial Documentation Act (BeurkG) may apply. We are happy to explain what to look out for before the appointment.
On request, a written translation of the deed can be prepared and attached to it (§ 16 (2) BeurkG). Just tell us in advance — then everything is ready on the day.
What we do
Matters we handle
As a notary public, Thomas Seidel is an impartial holder of a public office: he advises all parties equally and ensures that the transaction is legally valid and enforceable. The detailed pages linked below are in German.
Buying and selling property
Purchase agreements for houses, flats and land, financing charges, handover and transfer of title — from the first draft to registration in the land register.
German page →
Company formation and corporate matters
Forming a GmbH or UG, commercial register filings, transfers of shares, succession planning. Frequently used by international founders setting up in Germany.
German page →
Wills and inheritance
Wills, inheritance contracts, certificates of inheritance — including cross-border estates and the choice of applicable law under the EU Succession Regulation.
German page →
Powers of attorney and living wills
Who may act for you if you no longer can: healthcare proxy, living will and care directive — drawn up in one deed and registered centrally.
German page →
Marriage contracts and family matters
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce settlement agreements, adoption. For international couples, a choice-of-law clause creates clarity about which matrimonial property regime applies.
German page →
Gifts and transfers within the family
Transferring property during your lifetime — with usufruct, rights of residence and rights of revocation, and with an eye on gift tax allowances.
German page →
How it works
From first contact to the appointment
1
Tell us about your matter
Use the form below, send an email or call. Please mention which language you would like to use for the appointment — that determines whether an interpreter is needed.
2
Draft and appointment proposal
You receive the draft deed in advance together with a proposed date. For property purchases involving consumers as well as entrepreneurs, German law requires the draft to be available at least two weeks before the appointment.
3
The appointment
The deed is read out and explained in full; for English, the notary translates it himself as he goes. Questions are dealt with on the spot. Afterwards we handle the entire execution — registrations, filings and correspondence with the authorities.
Fees
What does a notary cost in Germany?
Notarial fees are set by federal statute (GNotKG) and depend on the value of the transaction — they are identical at every notary in Germany, so choosing a notary is not a question of price. Where the notary translates the deed into English, a separate statutory fee applies for that translation. The German pages show worked examples for the most common transactions; we are happy to give you a concrete estimate before the appointment.
Common questions
Questions we are often asked
Do I need to speak German?
No. If your appointment is in English, the notary translates the deed himself as it is read out, so nothing is signed that you have not understood. For other languages you bring an interpreter.
Who arranges the interpreter, and does he or she have to be sworn?
The parties arrange the interpreter themselves. Being publicly sworn is not required — a good command of both languages is sufficient. However, the interpreter must not be a relative of the parties, and none of the other exclusions under the BeurkG may apply. Tell us in advance who will be interpreting; we will check that it works.
Can the deed itself be in English?
Yes, if all parties expressly request it (§ 5 BeurkG). In practice it is often not the best option: the land registry, the commercial register and the courts work in German, so an English deed would require certified translations for every filing. The usual route — a German deed translated live during the appointment — is faster and cheaper.
Can I get a written translation?
Yes. On request a written translation is prepared and attached to the deed (§ 16 (2) BeurkG). Please ask for it when you instruct us, so it is ready on the day.
Do I have to appear in person?
For a notarial deed, yes — in person or through a representative acting under a notarised power of attorney. Preparation is handled by email; only the appointment itself requires attendance. Bring a valid passport or ID card.
I live in Hamburg — can I come to you?
Yes. Anyone can have a deed executed at our offices, regardless of where they live. The Norderstedt Mitte stop (U1, AKN) is two minutes away on foot and parking at the building is free.
Are you a lawyer or a notary?
Both — Thomas Seidel is admitted as a Rechtsanwalt (lawyer) and appointed as a Notar (notary public). In notarial matters he acts strictly as an impartial holder of public office for all parties, not as a representative of one side.
Get in touch — in English
Rechtsanwalt und Notar Thomas Seidel · KONTORHAUS, Rathausallee 64–66, 22846 Norderstedt — directly next to the local court, right next to Norderstedt Mitte (U1/AKN), free parking at the building. Office hours: Mon–Wed 9–18, Thu 9–17, Fri 9–14.
Send us your enquiry
Detailed information on each topic is available on the German pages of this site; browsers such as Chrome and Safari translate them automatically if needed.