Luciana La Marca — Sworn Translator in France

This page tells you who is behind Tradyx. It explains what my official accreditation means. Furthermore, it shows you how to verify it independently before placing an order.

My name is ⁣ uciana La Marca. I am a sworn translator and interpreter(traductrice-interprète assermentée). I have been officially accredited by the Court of Appeal of Caen since 2014. My accreditation was renewed in 2022. In addition, I work in French, English and Italian — all nine language combinations. I have been a professional translator for 35 years.

My official accreditation

In France, sworn translators are not self-appointed. Therefore, they must be nominated by a Court of Appeal. Furthermore, the appointment is strictly personal. It cannot be delegated or transferred. In addition, it is publicly listed on an official register maintained by the court.

I hold this appointment from the Court of Appeal of Caen. This court covers Normandy and part of northern France. The official title is traductrice-interprète assermentée. Consequently, I can assist you with both written certified translations and sworn interpreting at notarial signings.

How to verify my accreditation

You do not need to take my word for it. First, check the official register of the Court of Appeal of Caen. It publishes a PDF list of all accredited expert translators. My name — LA MARCA, Luciana — appears on this list: www.cours-appel.justice.fr/caen.

Second, you can view my public profile on the national directory of sworn translators. Both sources confirm my appointment and my language combinations. Therefore, I encourage all new clients to check them before placing an order.

What « sworn translator » means in France

The term « sworn translator » is widely used. However, it is often misunderstood. This is particularly true for clients from the UK, the US, Ireland or Australia.

In France, traducteur assermenté is a protected legal status governed by law. Therefore, it is not a certification that anyone can obtain by passing a test. Furthermore, no translation agency can apply this label to its services. To be appointed, a translator must meet four conditions:

• First, submit an application to a court of appeal and pass a vetting procedure.
  • ⁣ econd, take a formal oath before a judge (prêter serment⁣).

Third, be officially registered on the court’s expert list.

Finally, renew the accreditation periodically — it can be withdrawn.

Once appointed, the sworn translator signs each certified translation with their personal stamp. In addition, they attach a declaration that the translation is faithful and complete. Consequently, this signature and seal give the translation its legal force.

Only a translation produced by an officially accredited sworn translator will be accepted. In other words, French prefectures, courts, notaries and universities require this certification. On the other hand, a translation produced by a bilingual person or a translation agency is systematically rejected.

A note for English-speaking clients

In the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland and Australia, there is no direct equivalent to the French sworn translator system. However, when dealing with French authorities, only the French system applies.

For example, a British national applying for a French residence permit must use a French sworn translator. Similarly, an American buying property in Normandy must do the same. In contrast, a translation certified by a UK or US professional body is not accepted.

This causes frequent delays for English-speaking clients. Indeed, they often have documents translated in their home country. Consequently, they are told the translation is not valid in France. Therefore, always commission the work from a French sworn translator from the outset.

Languages and combinations

My accreditation covers French, English and Italian. In other words, I work across three languages and nine combinations. Furthermore, this is relatively rare: most sworn translators in France work with one or two language pairs only.

As a result, I can handle multilingual files simultaneously. In addition, I can produce direct English↔Italian translations without routing through French. This is a decisive advantage for complex international files.

I also hold a distinct mastery of both British and American English. This distinction is essential when translating legal documents. For example, a deed of sale for a British authority is not drafted in the same way as a document for an American court.

Documents I translate and certify

With 35 years of professional experience, I work daily on a wide range of documents. Specifically, these are documents requiring certified translation in a cross-border context. Furthermore, they involve France, the UK, the US or Italy.

Sworn interpreting

In addition to written translations, I provide sworn interpreting services. For example, I work at notarial signings, real estate purchases and legal proceedings. Furthermore, as a sworn interpreter, I can certify the accuracy of oral communication. Specifically, I can sign the interpreting record produced by the notary.

This covers sworn interpreting for weddings and civil ceremonies. In addition, it includes sworn interpreting for real estate notarial signings.

How the process works

📌 Tips: Scan in colour at 300 dpi minimum. Send the complete document, front and back. State which authority the translation is destined for. Finally, mention your deadline in your first message.

Who I work with

Why choose an independent sworn translator?

Contact

Frequently asked questions

How can I verify that you are officially accredited?

First, check my name on the official register of the Court of Appeal of Caen at justice. fr. Second, view my public profile on annuaire-traducteur-assermente.fr. Both sources confirm my appointment started in 2014. Therefore, I encourage all new clients to verify this before placing an order.

Are your certified translations accepted by French authorities?

Yes. As an officially appointed sworn translator, my translations carry full legal force. Consequently, they are required by French prefectures, courts, notaries and universities. Furthermore, they are accepted internationally for visa applications and apostille procedures.

I had a translation done in the UK or the US. Will it be accepted in France?

Unfortunately, in most cases, no. French authorities require translations produced by a French sworn translator. Therefore, if your translation has been rejected, I can produce a new certified translation that will be valid for French authorities.

Do you work remotely or only in Normandy?

I work remotely across the whole of France and internationally. Documents are sent by email. However, for sworn interpreting at notarial signings, I travel to Normandy and the Paris region. If you are based elsewhere, contact me — I can advise on the best arrangement.

What is the difference between a certified translation and a standard translation?

A certified translation is signed and stamped by an accredited sworn translator. In addition, it includes a dated declaration of accuracy. Consequently, it carries legal validity for official use. On the other hand, a standard translation has no legal value for official purposes in France. Therefore, French authorities will reject it.

How long does a certified translation take?

Most standard documents are delivered within 2 to 5 business days. However, longer or more complex documents may take more time. Furthermore, urgent requests can often be accommodated — contact me to discuss your deadline.

Do I need to send the original document?

A good-quality scan is sufficient. Therefore, you do not need to send the original by post for the translation. However, some French authorities may ask to see the original alongside the certified translation when you submit your file.

Can a machine translation replace a certified translation?

No. French administrations, courts and notaries systematically refuse machine translations. Furthermore, they also reject uncertified translations. Consequently, only a sworn translator registered with a court of appeal can produce a legally valid certified translation in France.