Translation for Chapter 15 and Cross-Border Bankruptcy
Certified translation of foreign insolvency orders, appointments of representatives, and creditor documents for Chapter 15 petitions and cross-border claims.
Reviewed by Murat Saymaz, Global Certified Translations · Facts checked 4 November 2026
The short answer
A foreign representative seeking recognition under Chapter 15 files the foreign court's decision opening the proceeding and appointing them (11 U.S.C. 1515(b)), and documents in a foreign language must be translated into English (11 U.S.C. 1515(d)). US courts may presume those documents authentic (11 U.S.C. 1516). Creditors filing claims abroad face the reverse.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| A petition for recognition must be accompanied by a certified copy of the decision commencing the foreign proceeding and appointing the foreign representative, or equivalent evidence. | 11 U.S.C. 1515(b) |
| The court may require a translation into English of documents supplied in support of the petition. | 11 U.S.C. 1515(d) |
| The court is entitled to presume that documents submitted in support of the petition are authentic, whether or not legalised. | 11 U.S.C. 1516(b) |
| A foreign proceeding is recognised as main or nonmain depending on where the debtor has its centre of main interests or an establishment. | 11 U.S.C. 1517 |
| After recognition, the court may grant relief such as entrusting US assets to the foreign representative. | 11 U.S.C. 1521 |
What Chapter 15 filings contain
Chapter 15 lets a representative appointed in a foreign insolvency (an administrator, liquidator, trustee or síndico) ask a US bankruptcy court to recognise the foreign proceeding and protect US assets. The core documents are foreign: the order opening the proceeding, the appointment of the representative, sometimes the foreign statute that defines their powers, and a list of creditors and proceedings. The Bankruptcy Code expects English translations, and courts typically want them with the petition, because the first hearings move fast.
Translating insolvency terms
Insolvency systems do not map neatly onto US chapters. A German Insolvenzverfahren with Eigenverwaltung, a French sauvegarde, a Brazilian recuperação judicial, a Mexican concurso mercantil: each has its own stages and officers. We translate each term with its accepted English rendering where one exists (for example, "debtor in possession" for Eigenverwaltung only where the context supports it) and otherwise keep the original term with a literal translation in brackets. We do not label a foreign proceeding "reorganisation" or "liquidation" if the original does not; that characterisation is for counsel and the court.
Speed and staging
Recognition petitions are often filed urgently, sometimes with a request for provisional relief. Translate the opening order and the appointment first, with certificates, and the supporting material second. Short orders can be delivered within hours on expedited service.
Creditors and claims abroad
US creditors of a foreign debtor file claims in the foreign proceeding, often in the local language, with invoices, contracts and statements of account translated. Deadlines are set by the foreign court and can be short. We translate the claim documents into the language of the proceeding where we cover it, or the foreign notices into English so you know the deadlines.
Domestic bankruptcies with foreign documents
Ordinary Chapter 7, 11 or 13 cases also involve foreign records: foreign bank statements, property abroad, debts owed to foreign creditors. Translate the documents you file or produce, in full.
Common Chapter 15 documents
- The foreign court's order opening the proceeding.
- The order or certificate appointing the foreign representative, and any limits on their powers.
- Extracts of the foreign insolvency statute defining the representative's role.
- Lists of creditors, pending proceedings and US assets.
- Declarations by foreign counsel on the foreign law, if written in another language.
What we don't do
We translate; we do not give legal advice, act as foreign representatives, or prepare petitions.
Documents we translate for this
Legal Document translation
Certified translation of court judgments, contracts, powers of attorney, affidavits and evidence for US and foreign courts.
Financial Statement translation
Certified translation of balance sheets, income statements, audit reports and notes for banks, investors, the SEC, USCIS and auditors.
Bank Statement translation
Certified translation of foreign bank statements as evidence of assets for the I-864 affidavit of support, visas, courts and lenders.
Price
$39 for the first page (up to 250 words) into English, $49 into any other language, then $0.116 per additional word. Each file is priced on its own. The signed certificate of accuracy is included.
Full pricingTurnaround
24 hours standard for most documents. Expedited service is +50% for 6–8 hours and +100% for 1–3 hours. Large files are quoted with a delivery date before you pay.
Questions
Can you translate a creditor claim into Spanish or Portuguese for a foreign proceeding?
Ask us about the language pair. We translate claim forms, invoices and statements of account into the language of the proceeding where we cover it.
Do domestic bankruptcy cases need translated foreign records?
If you file or produce foreign-language records, such as bank statements or property documents, translate them in full.
Do you translate foreign insolvency statutes?
Yes, the sections counsel relies on, with the original article numbers kept for citation.
Do Chapter 15 documents need certified translations?
Section 1515(d) lets the court require English translations. Certified translations with a signed certificate are the standard way to supply them.
Do foreign orders need an apostille for Chapter 15?
Section 1516 lets the court presume authenticity whether or not documents are legalised; counsel decides whether to obtain one anyway.
How fast can you translate an opening order?
Short orders in hours with expedited service. Tell us the filing time.
Related
Prepared by Global Certified Translations, Edgewater, NJ. Translations are signed by a State Court Certified Translator. This page explains translation requirements; it is not legal advice.
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