Sworn Translations into French

French definition for "Sworn Translation".

Sworn Translations is the popular term for Certified Translations, true translations with worldwide legal validity, signed and sealed by "Certified Translators", following a protocol that changes substantially from one country to another. Any public document requested by a French Administration, university, notary or judge, will need to be written in French or undergo a Sworn Translation into French. If you need to deliver an official document in France, and it is originally written in English, you will need to request a Certified Translation from English into French.

Legalization, Translation and Apostille.

France legislation is quite strict regarding Sworn Translations, specially those that are to have effect in foreign countries. You will need to request first an Apostille for the original document, then proceed with the Sworn Translation, legalize the translator's signature, and then finally ask for another Apostille.

How does a French Sworn Translation look like?

Sworn translations in France include the fully translated text, a copy of the original text, and the translator’s oath and signature.

All pages of the translation should be signed and sealed by the translator. Furthermore, the last page, at the bottom, should include a certification or an oath of the translator, declaring that the Sworn Translation is a complete and faithful reproduction of the original.

Certified Sworn Translations in France.

In France, the only translators that can "certify" a translation are the so called "traducteurs experts près la Cour d’Appel", appointed by the French Ministry of Justice. These Sworn Translators are "legal / judicial expert" (ETI), public officials entitled to certify that the Sworn Translation they sign and seal, is a complete and faithful reproduction of the original. All these "traducteurs experts" are listed at the "Annuaire de Traducteurs Assermentés".

All documents to be delivered to public officials in France, originally written in a language other than French, must undergo a Sworn Translation into French to be accepted by Public Administration bodies, universities, public notaries or judicial courts.

UK or USA citizen willing to study in France?

If you are a British or American student willing to study in Paris (France), you will be asked to provide your University Degree (or Academic Certificate) and Grades Certificate in French language. You could do that in US, getting your documents translated into French and then join them with an affidavit. Or in case you are British, you could get an CIOL or ITI translator do the job, and then go to a notary office or a Commissioner for Oaths to make an official statement.

But, if you want to stick to the safest option, you should get your French Translation done in France, to guarantee it is not going to be rejected by local authorities.

French institutions only accept French.

French is the only official language in France. No French institution will accept any document written in Spanish, English, German, etc, unless accompanied by a Sworn Translation, signed, stamped and duly legalised by a truthful statement from a Certified Translator.

If you come from other country to study in France, you will need a Sworn Translation into French of your academic qualifications to be admitted at any University.

Let us make your arrival to France much easier.

Our agency delivers Sworn Translations into French every day: titles and diplomas, affidavits, deeds, annual accounts, articles of association, birth, death or marriage certificates, summons, court notifications, wills, extracts from the Trade Register, etc.

We really advise you to make sure you actually need your translation to be "Sworn", as Sworn Translations are more expensive and take much longer than standard translations.

What is the Hague Apostille?

The Hague Apostille is the abbreviated legalisation process used for all the countries signatories of the Hague Convention, including France, United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. It certifies that the signatory of your document, is a legitimate authority in your country. It is a large seal bearing the EU flag. The Apostille must also be translated.

What is a signature legalisation?

The Hague Convention only identifies the signatures of the more relevant people and bodies of each country: Colleges of Notaries, Superior Court of Justice, Ministries, etc. But some documents bear signature of "lower" bodies, which will compel you to legalise (authenticate) it before the superior body. In these cases you will have to request local authorities to legalise the signature prior to any other procedure.

Do I need to get an Hague Apostille?

If they haven't mentioned it, then you probably don't need it (even better!). Ask the organism which is requesting the Sworn Translation, as this matter is quite discretionary and not at all predictable.

Where to get the Hague Apostille.

Request the Apostille there where the document was issued.

Where to get an Apostille in France?

Regional or local courts can issue apostilles for documents signed by public officials located at their area of influence. Only the Cour d’Appel de Rennes can issue apostilles for Criminal records.

Where to get an Apostille in UK?

All official UK documents can be legalised at the UK Legalisation Office.

Where to get an Apostille in United States?

State issued documents may be authenticated by the competent authority in the state where the document was executed. For federal documents signed and sealed by a federal agency or federal court, contact the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office.

Where to get an Apostille in other countries.

Learn where to get an Apostille in Spain, Italy, France or Germany.