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Frequently asked questions

This FAQ helps English-speaking clients understand how official translation practice works in France and what may be required for international use.

Certified & Sworn Translation in France – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sworn translator in France?

In France, the legally recognised professional for official translations is generally a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal (traducteur assermenté).

A sworn translator is a judicial expert authorised to produce translations for official and administrative purposes. Their translations bear their signature and official stamp and may be accepted by French courts, public authorities, universities, prefectures, consulates and other institutions.

For English-speaking clients, a French sworn translator is usually the closest equivalent to what is commonly called a certified translator.

In French, the usual terms are “traducteur assermenté” and “traduction assermentée.”

Is a sworn translation in France the same as a certified translation?

In everyday international usage, the expressions are often used interchangeably, but the legal systems are different.

In France, an official translation is normally produced by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté), registered as a judicial expert with a French Court of Appeal.

In countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States, the expression “certified translation” may refer to a different procedure, for example a translation accompanied by a statement or certificate from the translator or translation company.

Therefore, when a French authority asks for an official translation, it is important to check whether it specifically requires a French sworn translation.

What is the difference between a sworn translator, a certified translator and a sworn translator abroad?

The terminology depends on the country.

A sworn translator in France is a translator registered as a judicial expert with a French Court of Appeal.

A certified translator is a broader international expression. Depending on the country, certification may be provided by the translator, a professional association or a translation agency.

A sworn translator abroad operates according to the rules of another country. Their translation may be perfectly valid in that country but may not automatically satisfy the requirements of a French authority.

The correct solution therefore depends primarily on where the translated document will be submitted.

Is “translator for the judicial court” the same as “sworn translator registered with a Court of Appeal”?

Not exactly.

The standard French system is based on judicial experts registered with a Court of Appeal (experts judiciaires près une Cour d'appel).

A translator may work regularly for courts without necessarily having the official status of a sworn judicial expert.

For an official translation, what matters is the translator's formal status and whether the translation will be accepted by the authority requesting it.

When do I need a certified or sworn translation in France?

A sworn translation may be required whenever a foreign-language document is submitted to a French public authority or when a French document must be used officially abroad.

Typical situations include:

• visa and immigration applications;

• French nationality and naturalisation applications;

• marriage and civil-status procedures;

• university and school applications;

• recognition of foreign diplomas;

• employment and professional qualifications;

• court proceedings;

• inheritance and notarial matters;

• company registration;

• driving-licence procedures;

• adoption and family-law procedures.

Requirements vary according to the authority and the country concerned, so it is advisable to check the exact formalities before ordering the translation.

Which documents are most often translated as certified translations in Paris?

The most frequently requested documents include:

• birth certificates;

• marriage certificates;

• divorce judgments;

• death certificates;

• diplomas and academic transcripts;

• criminal-record certificates;

• driving licences;

• passports and identity documents;

• residence and immigration documents;

• visa documents;

• naturalisation documents;

• court decisions;

• contracts and powers of attorney;

• company documents;

• notarial deeds and inheritance documents;

• bank and financial documents.

SOGEDICOM can review your documents before translation to determine the appropriate type of translation.

How can I get a certified translation online quickly?

In most cases, you can start the process entirely online.

Simply send us a clear scan or high-quality photograph of your document. We can review it, confirm the procedure, provide a quotation and indicate the expected turnaround time.

The translation can then be prepared by the appropriate sworn translator.

Depending on the authority's requirements, an electronic copy may be sufficient initially, while the signed and stamped paper version can be provided when necessary.

Can you certify or stamp a translation that has already been done by someone else?

Generally, a sworn translator should not simply stamp a translation produced by an unknown third party.

By signing and stamping a translation, the translator assumes professional responsibility for its accuracy.

If you already have a translation, we can examine it. Depending on the circumstances, a sworn translator may be able to review, correct and formally reissue the translation, but this must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Can a notary public certify a translation in France?

A French notary (notaire) and a sworn translator perform different functions.

A notary may authenticate certain documents, signatures or legal acts, but this does not normally replace the work of a sworn translator when an official translation is required.

If a French or foreign authority requests a sworn translation, notarising an ordinary translation will not necessarily make it acceptable.

Do I need an apostille on the translation or on the original document?

It depends on the country of origin, the destination country, the type of document and the authority requesting it.

An apostille authenticates the origin of a public document for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. It does not certify that the content of the document is correct and it does not replace a translation.

In some procedures, the original document must first be apostilled and the translator must then translate both the document and the apostille.

In other cases, additional formalities may apply to the translation itself.

Because the correct order of formalities is important, we recommend checking the destination country's requirements before beginning the translation process.

Do French authorities accept certified translations issued in the UK or the United States?

Not automatically.

A translation certified according to UK or US practice may be accepted for some purposes, but a French administration may specifically request a translation produced by a traducteur assermenté recognised within the French judicial system.

If your document is intended for a prefecture, court, university, consulate or another French authority, we recommend checking the authority's precise requirements.

We can review your documents and advise you on the most appropriate solution.

Is a French sworn translation valid for a university, prefecture, consulate or naturalisation application?

In many cases, yes.

French sworn translations are commonly used for applications submitted to:

• prefectures;

• universities and schools;

• courts;

• ministries;

• French administrations;

• naturalisation services;

• immigration authorities;

• consulates and embassies.

However, each authority may impose specific requirements concerning the translator, document format, date of issue, apostille, legalisation or presentation of the original document.

For this reason, acceptance should always be checked for the particular procedure concerned.

Can I use Google Translate, DeepL or another automatic translation for an official procedure?

Usually not when an authority specifically requires a certified or sworn translation.

Machine translation tools such as Google Translate or DeepL can be useful for understanding the general meaning of a document, but they do not provide the signature, stamp or legal responsibility required for a sworn translation.

Professional translators may use technological tools as part of their work, but the final official translation must be reviewed and validated by the authorised professional who signs it.

How can I check whether a translator is really sworn in France?

Sworn translators are registered as judicial experts with French Courts of Appeal.

Their status can therefore be checked against the official lists of judicial experts published by the relevant French courts.

The translator's stamp should normally identify their status and the Court of Appeal with which they are registered.

If you order your translation through SOGEDICOM, we select the appropriate qualified translator according to the language pair, document and intended authority.

How much does a certified translation cost?

There is no single statutory price for sworn translations in France.

The price depends on several factors, including:

• language combination;

• number of pages;

• amount of text;

• complexity of the document;

• formatting requirements;

• urgency;

• number of certified originals required;

• possible apostille or legalisation formalities.

Send us a scan or photograph of your document and we can provide a quotation before the work begins.

Can I pay in instalments?

For larger assignments or files containing many documents, payment arrangements may be possible.

Please contact us with your documents and requirements so that we can propose an appropriate solution.

How long does a certified translation take?

Turnaround time depends on the language, length and complexity of the document and on the availability of the appropriate sworn translator.

Simple civil-status documents such as birth or marriage certificates can often be processed relatively quickly.

Larger legal, academic or administrative files require more time.

If your request is urgent, tell us your deadline when sending the documents. We will check whether an express sworn translation service is possible.

Do I need to send the original document?

Not necessarily.

For many translations, we can begin from a clear scan or high-quality photograph sent electronically.

However, the authority receiving the translation may require the original document, a certified copy, an apostille or another form of authentication.

We therefore recommend telling us where and for what purpose the translation will be used.

My document must be submitted to a foreign authority. What should I do?

The first question is not simply how to translate the document, but which formalities the destination country requires.

Depending on the country and procedure, you may need:

1. the original French document;

2. an apostille or legalisation;

3. a sworn or certified translation;

4. translation of the apostille itself;

5. additional authentication of the translator's signature.

The procedure varies considerably from one country to another.

Tell us the destination country and the authority receiving the document, and we can help you identify the appropriate translation procedure.

Why work with a translation agency rather than searching for a translator on your own?

Official translation can involve more than finding someone who speaks the required language.

The correct procedure may depend on the language combination, destination country, type of authority, apostille requirements and status of the translator.

A specialised translation agency can coordinate the process, select an appropriate sworn translator, manage multilingual files and help you avoid ordering the wrong type of translation.

SOGEDICOM has been providing professional translation and interpreting services in Paris since 1990, working with qualified translators for legal, administrative and official documents.

Certified and Sworn Translation Services in Paris and France

Our agency assists international clients in Paris, throughout France and abroad with certified translations, sworn translations and official translations.

We regularly handle:

• birth and marriage certificates;

• diplomas and academic records;

• driving licences;

• immigration and residence documents;

• visa applications;

• naturalisation files;

• legal and court documents;

• contracts and corporate documents;

• administrative documents;

• apostilled and legalised documents.

If you are looking for a certified translator in Paris, a sworn translator in France, an official translation for a visa, an apostille translation service, or guidance on French requirements for foreign documents, our team can review your file and help you determine the appropriate procedure.

Send us your document, tell us the country and authority where it will be submitted, and we will advise you on the appropriate translation and formalities.

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