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ToolsNo sign-up, free of charge
  • Understand a letterTake a photo or paste the text. You learn who is writing, what they want and by when.
  • Fill in a formExplained field by field, for example the registration form or the housing allowance application.
  • What am I entitled to?A few questions, then you see which support may apply to you.
  • Find an officeWho is responsible for what? With address, opening hours and map.
  • Remember deadlinesAdd a date and get a reminder by e-mail or in your calendar.
  • Words explained simplyOfficial German like “Bescheid” or “Frist” in everyday words.
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Documents & identity

Use an EU document at an office

Official name: Prepare your own EU public document for an authority

A Urkunde is an official document, for example a birth certificate. Do you have one from another EU country? Here you prepare it for an Austrian authority. It is about form, language and translation.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
6 key steps, up to 12 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
Receiving authority
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 3 of 12 steps
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

  1. 1Check if this is about authenticityAuthenticity means the document really comes from the authority. This is different from what the document achieves.Key step
    Why?
    The EU only makes the authenticity check easier. It does not automatically recognize your professional degree.
    What you do
    Check what you need the document for. Your citizenship alone does not decide this.
    Where?
    Receiving authorityDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Distinguish authenticity, legal effects and qualification recognition

    EU simplification concerns authenticity of certain public documents, not automatic recognition of legal effects or a professional qualification. Citizenship alone does not confirm the document route.

    SourceÖffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung
    Öffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung

    Europäische Union · Your Europe · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Find out which office wants the documentThe recipient is the authority that wants your document. The issuer is the authority that made it.Key step
    Why?
    The EU rules apply to authorities. Banks or companies do not always have to follow them.
    What you do
    Write down who wants the document and what for. Also write down which country it comes from.
    Where?
    Receiving authorityDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Clarify actual public recipient and EU issuer

    Privately identify recipient, intended use and actual issuing country. Private banks, companies and private bodies without appropriate authority are not bound merely by a form. Clarify third-country documents separately.

    SourceMehrsprachige Standardformulare: Empfänger, Ausstellung und Grenzen
    Mehrsprachige Standardformulare: Empfänger, Ausstellung und Grenzen

    Europäische Union · e-Justice · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Check if your document is coveredNot every document falls under this EU rule. It covers, for example, documents on birth, marriage, residence or citizenship.Key step
    Why?
    Only then does the simplification apply to you.
    What you do
    Check with the authority whether your document is included. School reports or private contracts are not automatically included.
    Where?
    Receiving authorityDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm actual covered document category

    Certain civil-status, residence, nationality and other specified categories are covered. Absence of criminal record has specific issuer and person conditions. Do not universally include school certificates, private contracts or every document.

    SourceEU-Urkundenverordnung: tatsächlich erfasste Tatbestände
    EU-Urkundenverordnung: tatsächlich erfasste Tatbestände

    BMEIA · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Choose original or certified copyThe version is the form of the document. An original is the real paper. A certified copy is an officially confirmed copy.Key step
    Why?
    The authority may want a certain form. A simple scan is often not enough.
    What you do
    Ask the authority whether it needs the original or a certified copy. Get the right paper ready.
    Where?
    Receiving authorityDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Your actually requested public document
      Document explained

      Clarify version and accepted form directly.

      Requirement
      Required when applicable
      Submission format
      Clarify format with the service
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceÖffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung
      Öffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung

      Europäische Union · Your Europe · retrieved on 11/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Organise your actually appropriate document version

    Confirm recipient need. EU information refers to original or certified copy; infer neither a universal original requirement nor sufficiency of a simple scan. No document contents or files in the app.

    SourceÖffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung
    Öffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung

    Europäische Union · Your Europe · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Clarify language and translationThis is about the language of the document. A certified translation is an officially confirmed translation.Key step
    Why?
    If the authority accepts the language, you do not need a certified translation. This saves money.
    What you do
    Ask the authority whether it accepts the language. Otherwise there may be a multilingual form. Do not just translate everything.
    Where?
    Receiving authorityDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Clarify accepted language and actual translation route

    An accepted language needs no certified translation. Otherwise agree possible official form aid or actual translation requirement; do not universally order a German translation for every document.

    SourceÖffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung
    Öffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung

    Europäische Union · Your Europe · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Put the document and extras togetherHere you put everything together: the document and, if needed, the form or translation.Key step
    Why?
    Then you can hand in the document at the authority. The authority decides whether it accepts it.
    What you do
    Bring the papers to the authority yourself. The app does not send anything for you.
    Where?
    Receiving authorityDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Prepare your confirmed own EU document presentation

    Personally use the actually agreed document and conditional language attachment with the confirmed authority. Responsible service decides acceptance and legal effects; no app transmission or recognition.

    SourceÖffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung
    Öffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung

    Europäische Union · Your Europe · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Use the EU rule for authenticity
  • Ask about the multilingual form
  • Check costs and appointments
  • Ask when you must hand it in
  • Check if anything is still missing
  • Sort out documents from other countries
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with your document?

What is meant? Where are you right now? Are you preparing the document, or have you already handed it in?

What is the actual document stage?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

3 of 12 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceÖffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung
Öffentliche Urkunden innerhalb der EU: Echtheit und Übersetzung

Europäische Union · Your Europe · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Open original source
SourceMehrsprachige Standardformulare: Empfänger, Ausstellung und Grenzen
Mehrsprachige Standardformulare: Empfänger, Ausstellung und Grenzen

Europäische Union · e-Justice · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Open original source
SourceEU-Urkundenverordnung: tatsächlich erfasste Tatbestände
EU-Urkundenverordnung: tatsächlich erfasste Tatbestände

BMEIA · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Open original source

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