🇫🇷 Version française — Traduction assermentée officielle FR · EN · IT
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🇮🇹 Versione italiana — Traduttore giurato italiano francese
A certified translation in France — traduction assermentée — is produced by a sworn translator registered with a Court of Appeal. It carries the translator’s signature, official stamp and the declaration certifiée conforme à l’original. Without this certification, prefectures, courts, notaries and consulates refuse your documents outright.
I am Luciana La Marca, sworn translator-interpreter registered with the Cour d’appel de Caen, working in French, English and Italian. With more than 30 years of experience in legal, notarial and administrative translation, I deliver certified translations that are accepted by French and international authorities without unnecessary delay.
This service covers all official documents: civil status records, notarial deeds, international succession files, immigration documents, diplomas, criminal record extracts and commercial contracts. I work across all six combinations between my three languages.
👉 Request a free quote — response within 24 hours · Learn more about legal translation
What is a certified translation in France?
Definition and legal value
A certified translation bears the stamp and signature of a sworn translator. It is also referred to as a sworn translation or official translation. It attests that the translated text is a faithful and complete rendering of the original document. This certification gives the translation recognised legal value: French and foreign administrations accept it; courts, notaries and universities require it.
Who can produce a certified translation?
In France, only a translator registered on the list of expert translators of a Court of Appeal is authorised to produce this type of translation. Unlike a standard translation, it engages the professional responsibility of the translator. For further details, see the official guidance from the Ministère de la Justice.
Important: machine translations (Google Translate, DeepL) have no official legal value. Prefectures, courts, notaries and consulates systematically refuse any translation not signed by a registered sworn translator.
When is a certified translation required in France?
Civil status and administrative procedures
A certified translation is required as soon as a foreign document enters an official French procedure. The most common situations are the following.
- Visa, residence permit or naturalisation: prefectures and consulates require translated civil status documents. The French naturalisation procedure requires certified translations of birth and marriage certificates.
- Mixed-nationality marriage: the town hall requires certified translations of birth certificates and certificates of celibacy for any foreign future spouse.
- University enrolment or diploma recognition: French universities and the ENIC-NARIC centre require certified translations of foreign diplomas. This applies to Parcoursup applications and competitive examinations.
- Foreign driving licence exchange: the prefecture requires a certified translation for nationals from outside the European Union. See the dedicated driving licence page.
Legal and patrimonial proceedings
- International court proceedings: service of process on foreign nationals requires a certified translation. This also applies to procedures under the Hague Convention on service abroad.
- International succession: notarial deeds, powers of attorney and inheritance certificates require certified translations when the case involves more than one country. Learn more about certified translations of powers of attorney.
- Property purchase abroad: foreign notaries and banks require certified translations of identity documents, civil status records and powers of attorney.
Documents I translate and certify
Civil status and administrative documents
- 🧾 Birth certificate — visa, naturalisation, marriage, university enrolment
- 💍 Marriage certificate — mixed-nationality marriage, succession, change of civil status
- ⚰️ Death certificate — international succession, consular procedures, pension
- 📖 Family record book — naturalisation, family reunification, marriage abroad
- ⚖️ Divorce judgement — remarriage abroad, succession, consular file
- 🪪 Identity documents — passport, national identity card, naturalisation, visa
- 🚗 Driving licence — licence exchange, prefecture procedures
- 🎓 Diplomas and academic transcripts — universities, grandes écoles, ENIC-NARIC recognition
- ⚖️ Criminal record extract — from €50, for visa, employment and foreign proceedings
- ✍️ Notarial powers of attorney — property sale, succession deeds, mandates
Legal and commercial documents
- 🏛️ Notarial deeds — succession, gift, property sale, marriage contract
- 📜 Company statutes — foreign registration, fundraising, international partnership
- 💼 Employment contract — work visa, international mobility, legal proceedings
- 📋 Certificate of custom law — mixed-nationality marriage, succession, international adoption
- 🏢 Kbis extract — international procedures, tenders, foreign partnership
- 🏘️ Lease agreement — foreign tenancy, judicial proceedings
- 📂 Immigration documents — complete file for residence permit, family reunification, nationality
- 🏦 International succession documents — actes de notoriété, attestations immobilières, declarations of succession
The most demanding documents to translate
French and foreign notarial deeds
French notarial deeds follow a highly codified structure with no direct equivalent in common law. A French deed of sale translates differently depending on whether it is destined for a British, American or Italian authority. I have mastered these equivalences and adapt the presentation to the conventions of the destination country while always preserving the legal meaning of the source text. See my page on certified legal translation.
Fiscal and accounting documents
Balance sheets, tax returns and income assessments contain highly precise terminology. An error on an accounting line can jeopardise a credit application or a customs inspection. I translate these documents by applying international accounting standards and the correct equivalences between the French plan comptable and British or Italian reference frameworks.
Company statutes and governance documents
Statutes, minutes of general meetings and Kbis extracts are used in international partnerships. Corporate law varies considerably from one country to another. I translate these documents taking into account the differences between the French SARL, the British limited company and the Italian società a responsabilità limitata. For companies with recurring needs, my professional multilingual support service provides a long-term solution.
Diplomas and academic documents
Diplomas and transcripts reflect the specific characteristics of each national education system. The French mention très bien at the baccalauréat does not translate uniformly. Grading scales also differ: out of 20 in France, GPA in the United States, ECTS across Europe. Each case requires specific pedagogical expertise and knowledge of ENIC-NARIC requirements.
Criminal record extracts
The criminal record extract is one of the most sensitive documents to translate. Every legal term engages the translator’s responsibility. Equivalences between legal systems are often imperfect and require explanatory notes. I translate this document with absolute precision and complete confidentiality. See my dedicated page on certified translation of criminal record extracts.
Working languages: French, English and Italian
Certified translation French–English
The French–English combination represents the majority of my files. I translate in both directions — French into English and English into French — with a distinct mastery of British and American English. This distinction is essential: a deed destined for a British authority is not drafted in the same way as a document for an American court or a Canadian administration.
In English law, certain French legal concepts have no direct equivalents. The French notaire differs profoundly from the Anglo-Saxon notary public. The réserve héréditaire does not exist in common law. I systematically adapt these concepts with explanatory notes where necessary, so that the translation produces the same legal effects as the source document.
The most common documents in this combination: civil status records, divorce judgements, employment contracts, company statutes, notarial deeds, diplomas and immigration documents. 👉 See the French–English sworn translator page
Certified translation French–Italian
The French–Italian combination has been at the heart of my expertise for more than 30 years. I regularly handle Franco-Italian files involving cross-border successions, notarial proceedings, mixed-nationality marriages and Italian companies establishing operations in France.
Italian civil law and French civil law share a common foundation — both descend from Roman law — but diverge on essential points. The Italian società a responsabilità limitata does not map exactly onto the French SARL. Succession rules differ. Notarial formalities vary. I master these equivalences and adapt each translation to the precise expectations of the receiving authorities.
The most common documents: civil status records, notarial deeds, company statutes, extracts from the Registro delle Imprese, certificates of custom law, judgements and powers of attorney. 👉 See the French–Italian sworn translator page
Certified translation English–Italian
The English–Italian combination arises primarily in international commercial files involving British or American companies with Italian partners, and in certain succession cases involving multiple nationalities. I translate in both directions, respecting the terminological conventions of each legal system. This combination requires a dual mastery of common law and Italian civil law — two deeply different legal traditions.
British and American English: an essential distinction
My distinct mastery of British and American English allows me to adapt each translation to the register expected by the receiving authority. I use deed-style drafting for the United Kingdom and American notarial English for the United States. This distinction is particularly important for powers of attorney, successions and deeds of sale.
Certified translation and apostille
When a translation alone is not sufficient
In certain cases, a certified translation alone is not enough. An additional authentication procedure becomes necessary when documents are destined to produce legal effects abroad.
The apostille
An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature affixed to a public document. It falls under the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. In France, it is issued by the parquet of the competent tribunal judiciaire.
Consular legalisation
Consular legalisation applies to countries that are not members of the Hague Convention. It involves several successive certifications: first through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then through the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Systematic verification at the quote stage
I systematically verify this point when assessing your file and advise you whether an apostille or legalisation is required. The order of formalities matters: an error in the sequence can invalidate the entire procedure.
Indicative pricing
How is the price calculated?
The price of a certified translation depends on the length of the document, its terminological complexity and the required turnaround. I provide a personalised, free quote on simple submission of the document. There is no regulated tariff for sworn translators in France (source: Ministère de la Justice).
- Birth / marriage / death certificate (1 page) — on quote — 24 to 48 hours
- Criminal record extract — from €50 — 24 to 48 hours
- Driving licence — on quote — 24 to 48 hours
- Family record book — on quote — 24 to 48 hours
- Divorce judgement — on quote — 3 to 5 days
- Notarial power of attorney — on quote — 2 to 4 days
- Diploma + academic transcript — on quote — 24 to 48 hours
- Employment contract — on quote — 3 to 5 days
- Company statutes — on quote — 3 to 7 days
- Complex notarial deed — on quote — according to volume
Why choose Tradyx?
- ✔ Sworn translator registered with the Cour d’appel de Caen
- ✔ More than 30 years of experience in legal translation
- ✔ Notarial, judicial and administrative expertise
- ✔ Translations recognised by French and foreign administrations
- ✔ Full confidentiality — documents handled personally and discreetly
- ✔ Single point of contact from quote to delivery
- ✔ 100% remote service — delivery by email or post
- ✔ Distinct mastery of British and American English
How to order: four steps
1. Send your document — submit a legible scan via the quote request form or by email at contact@tradyx.fr. A standard scan is sufficient. The original is not required at this stage.
2. Receive a quote within 24 hours — I send you a detailed quote specifying the price, the delivery deadline and the delivery method. The quote is free and without obligation.
3. Approval and translation — once you confirm, I begin immediately. I work exclusively manually — no machine translation. I verify every proper noun, date, number and administrative reference before signing and stamping the document.
4. Delivery — I deliver the signed translation as a PDF. If required, I also send it by registered post with the original stamp. A digital version is accepted by many administrations.
Tips for an efficient request
- Scan in colour at a minimum of 300 dpi. Use 600 dpi for old documents or faint stamps.
- Send the complete document, front and back where applicable, without shadows or cropped edges.
- State the context: indicate which authority the translation is destined for so I can adapt the format.
- Mention your deadline in your first message. I will confirm feasibility immediately.
Turnaround times: plan ahead
One of the most common mistakes is requesting a translation at the last moment. For a document of one to two pages, the typical turnaround is 24 to 72 hours. For a complete file, allow 3 to 5 working days. An express service is available for urgent requests. For complete immigration files, see my page on immigration document translation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a certified translation, a sworn translation and an official translation?
In France, the official term is traduction assermentée — sworn translation. Internationally, certified translation is widely used to denote a translation accompanied by a written attestation of accuracy. Official translation is a more general term used in administrative contexts. In all cases, Tradyx guides you towards the format required by the authority handling your file.
How much does a certified translation cost in France?
There is no regulated tariff. The price depends on the document, the language pair and the volume. Tradyx provides a free, detailed quote within 24 hours of receiving your documents. Contact me at contact@tradyx.fr.
How long does a certified translation take?
For a standard document of one to two pages, the turnaround is generally 24 to 48 hours. For more complex files, a precise deadline is given in the quote. An express service is available for urgent requests, subject to availability.
Does a certified translation expire?
No. A certified translation does not expire. However, the original document it certifies may have a limited validity — as is the case with criminal record extracts, which most administrations require to be less than three months old.
Can I send my documents by email?
Yes. A clear scan in PDF, JPG or PNG format is sufficient. I deliver the certified translation as a signed PDF, or by registered post if the receiving authority requires a physical document.
Is an apostille required in addition to a certified translation?
An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature on a public document for use in countries party to the Hague Convention. It supplements, but does not replace, the certified translation. I systematically check whether an apostille is required when assessing your file.
Can a machine translation replace a certified translation?
No. French administrations, courts and notaries systematically refuse machine translations and uncertified translations, regardless of their quality. Only a sworn translator registered with a Court of Appeal can produce a legally valid certified translation.
All translation and interpretation services
- Certified legal translation — contracts, judgements, statutes, notarial deeds
- Criminal record translation — immigration and naturalisation files
- Diploma and academic transcript translation — ENIC-NARIC recognition
- Driving licence translation — licence exchange
- Power of attorney translation — cross-border notarial deeds
- Death certificate translation — international succession
- Divorce judgement translation — remarriage, succession, visa
- Identity document translation
- Company statutes translation
- Employment contract translation
- Notarial deeds translation
- International succession translation
- Immigration documents translation
- Sworn interpreter for weddings
- Liaison interpreter for business
- Multilingual professional support
- French–English sworn translator
- French–Italian sworn translator
- About Tradyx — Official Sworn Translator in France
Ready to get started?
Send me your documents today. I will assess your file and send you a clear, no-obligation quote within 24 hours.
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