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§ Which translation
Authorities ask for different things, and the words are easy to mix up. Here is what each one means, a four-question check, and what French and foreign bodies usually ask for.
Translated and signed by us as complete and faithful. This is what we sell.
Signed by a translator registered as an expert with a French court of appeal. We do not sell it online.
A stamp added by the authority that issued your document, confirming the signature on it. We do not issue it.
A longer chain of checks for countries outside the apostille system. We do not do it.
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A translation with a signed statement that it is complete and faithful to the original. It is not a court status.
Une traduction accompagnée d'une attestation signée selon laquelle elle est complète et conforme à l'original. Ce n'est pas un statut judiciaire.
A translation signed and stamped by a translator who has taken an oath and is registered as an expert with a French court of appeal. Some French bodies require it.
Une traduction signée et revêtue du cachet d'un traducteur qui a prêté serment et figure comme expert sur la liste d'une cour d'appel. Certains organismes français l'exigent.
A certificate that confirms the authenticity of the signature on a public document, used between countries that belong to the Hague Convention of 1961. It is issued by the authority of the country that produced the document.
Un certificat qui confirme l'authenticité de la signature apposée sur un acte public, utilisé entre les pays parties à la Convention de La Haye de 1961. Il est délivré par l'autorité du pays qui a établi le document.
A chain of checks, usually through consular channels, that gives a document effect in a country outside the apostille system.
Une chaîne de vérifications, le plus souvent par voie consulaire, qui donne effet à un document dans un pays hors du système de l'apostille.
A guide, not a promise. Each body decides, and rules change. Check the body's own page.
| Body | Typically asks for | Our certified translation | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefecture (residence, naturalisation) | Often a sworn translation of civil-status documents | May not be enough | Ask the prefecture, then order or ask us |
| Town hall (marriage, civil registry) | Usually a sworn translation | Usually not enough | Ask us about sworn |
| Court or tribunal | A sworn translation | Not enough | Ask us about sworn |
| University or school | A certified translation, or sometimes a sworn one | Often enough | Check the admissions page, then order |
| Notary (property, estate) | Varies by act; often sworn for deeds | Often enough for supporting papers, not for deeds | Ask the notary |
| Bank, insurer, employer | Usually a certified translation | Usually enough | Order |
| Licence exchange (prefecture) | Often a sworn translation for licences from outside the EU/EEA | May not be enough | Check, then order or ask us |
| Foreign authority | Usually a certified translation with a translator's statement | Often enough | Read their exact wording, then order |
We cannot issue an apostille. We can translate a document and its apostille, and tell you where to get one. For sworn translations and other language pairs, tell us what you need.