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A certified translation of diploma is required for any official procedure in France or abroad that involves the recognition of an academic qualification. Whether you hold an Italian, French or other foreign degree, the relevant authorities — universities, prefectures, employers and public examination boards — require a certified translation produced by a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal.

Without a certified translation of diploma, your application will be rejected immediately. This applies to French diplomas presented in the UK, the USA, Canada or Australia, as well as to foreign degrees submitted to French institutions for recognition or equivalence purposes.

Find out more about our sworn translation service for all your official documents.

What is a certified translation of diploma ?

A certified translation of diploma is produced by a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. This professional certifies that the translation is accurate, complete and faithful to the original document.

The translation includes :

an official signature,
the translator’s stamp,
a certification statement,
a faithful reproduction of the full content, including stamps, grades and institutional references.

This translation carries full legal value. Universities, courts, prefectures and employers accept it without reservation.

👉 Official reference : enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr | education.gouv.fr

When is a certified translation of diploma required ?

A certified translation of diploma is required in a wide range of academic, administrative and professional contexts.

Degree recognition in France via ENIC-NARIC

ENIC-NARIC France is the official body responsible for recognising foreign qualifications in France. Any application for recognition must include a certified translation of diploma and the corresponding academic transcript. Without this document, the application cannot be processed.

University enrolment

enrolment in a master’s or doctoral programme in France with a foreign degree,
application to Parcoursup for students from non-French educational systems,
inter-university transfer with credit recognition (ECTS).

Public examinations and regulated professions

competitive examinations for teaching, the judiciary or public administration,
access to regulated professions : doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers,
equivalence applications to French or foreign professional bodies.

Visa, residence permit and naturalisation

work visa or family reunification application,
residence permit application requiring proof of educational level,
French naturalisation procedure : the diploma is often a key supporting document.

Working abroad with a French diploma

job applications in the UK, USA, Canada or Australia requiring degree verification,
registration with foreign professional bodies,
application for recognition of a French diploma abroad.

Which documents require a certified translation of diploma ?

All documents relating to academic qualifications may require a certified translation of diploma :

Italian degrees

Laurea triennale (L) : three-year Italian bachelor’s degree,
Laurea magistrale (LM) : equivalent of the French master’s degree,
Laurea a ciclo unico : medicine, pharmacy, architecture, law,
Diploma di maturità : equivalent of the French baccalauréat,
Diploma di istruzione tecnica o professionale.

French degrees

Diplôme national de licence, master, doctorat,
Baccalauréat général, technologique or professionnel,
Professional qualifications : BTS, DUT, BUT,
Grandes écoles degrees and recognised professional certifications.

Supporting academic documents

Transcript of records or academic grade report,
Diploma Supplement (European standard),
University certificate with institutional stamp and signature,
Course completion certificate.

The specific requirements of a certified translation of diploma

Translating a diploma requires in-depth knowledge of both academic systems. The Italian grading scale from 18 to 30 (with lode) does not correspond directly to the French scale from 0 to 20, nor to the Anglo-Saxon GPA system. A literal translation of these values can mislead the receiving institution and damage the assessment of your qualification.

I systematically add a translator’s note to contextualise the grading scale when the language combination requires it, in accordance with international professional standards.

Institutional names also require careful handling. The Italian expression «Università degli Studi di» translates as «Université de» in French — not as a literal transliteration. Faculty acronyms, course codes and department names are rendered accurately, without simplifications that could invalidate the document in the eyes of the receiving institution.

The certified translation of diploma process

The process is structured, secure and fully remote.

Document analysis : upon receipt of your diploma by email, I check the legibility and completeness of the document, and identify any abbreviations or regulatory references specific to the academic system of the country of origin.
Full and accurate translation : I translate every element in full — title, institution, grades, graduation date, signature and stamps — without omission or summarising.
Thorough proofreading : before certification, I carry out a complete review to ensure terminological consistency and the accuracy of every detail.
Official certification : I sign and stamp the translation, attach the mandatory certification statement, and deliver it to you as a secure PDF and/or by registered post according to your needs.

This process guarantees full compliance with the requirements of French and foreign authorities.

Certified translation of diploma in English, French and Italian

I provide a certified translation of diploma in all combinations between English, French and Italian. These three languages cover the vast majority of requests received by universities, consulates and international employers.

For an Italian diploma submitted to a French university or to ENIC-NARIC, I reproduce every element faithfully using standard French academic terminology. For a French diploma submitted to a British or American institution, I adapt the wording to the conventions of the receiving system.

This command of three academic systems prevents the interpretation errors that, on a document as decisive as a degree certificate, can jeopardise the outcome of your application.

Diploma and immigration applications : what you need to know

The diploma is one of the documents most frequently required in immigration files. It almost always accompanies work visa applications, naturalisation procedures and family reunification requests.

In this context, the certified translation of diploma forms part of a wider file that often includes other documents requiring translation : birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal record. I handle all of these documents to ensure terminological and formal consistency across the entire file. See my dedicated page on legal translation for immigration for an overview of the documents concerned.

How to send your diploma

The process is fully remote. No in-person appointment is required.

Scan your diploma in colour at 300 dpi minimum (600 dpi if the document has faint stamps or handwritten annotations).
Send the file via the free quote form, specifying the target language and your deadline.
I will reply with a detailed quote, generally within the same day.
Once confirmed, I translate, certify and deliver the translation as a signed PDF or by registered post, according to the requirements of the receiving institution.

If you have several documents to translate at the same time — diploma, birth certificate, criminal record — please mention this in your request to receive a combined quote. You can also book an appointment to discuss your file before placing your order.

Price of a certified translation of diploma

Several factors affect the price :

the language of the source document,
the complexity and length of the document (diploma only or diploma + transcript),
the language combination,
the deadline (standard or urgent).

Rates start from €60 for a standard diploma.

👉 Compare with : birth certificate translation, criminal record translation

Very low prices often indicate an uncertified translation produced by a non-sworn provider. Authorities and courts systematically reject this type of document. It is far better to invest in a reliable certified translation of diploma from the outset than to restart the entire procedure.

Turnaround time

24 to 48 hours standard turnaround for a simple, legible document,
urgent option available on request, subject to availability.

Planning ahead is always advisable, particularly when the translation forms part of a larger file — ENIC-NARIC, naturalisation, examination — whose overall deadlines may be more pressing. See my page on translation turnaround times for an estimate based on your situation.

Validity of a certified translation of diploma

A certified translation does not expire. It remains valid indefinitely. A diploma, once obtained, has no expiry date. The certified translation of diploma is therefore permanent.

However, some authorities may require a recent translation (less than six months old). In this case, it is sufficient to request a new translation of the same document.

👉 Official information : education.gouv.fr — ENIC-NARIC France

Apostille and legalisation

In some cases, a translation alone is not sufficient. Depending on the destination country, an additional procedure may be required.

An apostille applies to countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. In France, it is issued by the Parquet of the competent judicial court. In Italy, it is issued by the competent Procura della Repubblica.

Legalisation applies to countries that are not signatories to this convention. It involves a chain of successive certifications : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

Check the requirements of the relevant country before starting the process, in order to complete the formalities in the correct order.

Practical tips

Provide a legible document : a 300 dpi scan is sufficient. Avoid blurry or poorly framed photographs.
Include all documents in the file : diploma + transcript + diploma supplement, if available.
Specify the destination : indicate which university, institution or employer you are submitting the translation to, so that the format can be adapted if necessary.
Plan ahead : for urgent files, contact Tradyx as early as possible to check availability.
Keep several copies : retain at least two paper copies and one digital copy of your certified translation.

FAQ — certified translation of diploma

Is a certified translation of diploma required for the ENIC-NARIC procedure ?

Yes. ENIC-NARIC France requires a certified translation of diploma and the corresponding academic transcript. Without this document, the application cannot be processed. The certified translation is accepted directly by ENIC-NARIC France.

Do I need to provide the original paper diploma or is a digital copy sufficient ?

In the vast majority of cases, a legible scan is sufficient to produce the certified translation of diploma. The paper original is not required for the translation itself. However, some authorities require the original to be submitted alongside the certified translation : check this requirement with the receiving institution before sending your file.

How long does a certified translation of diploma take ?

The standard turnaround is 24 to 48 hours for a simple diploma. A complete file (diploma + transcript + supplement) generally takes 48 to 72 hours. An urgent option is available on request, subject to availability.

Is a certified translation of diploma valid in both France and the UK or USA ?

A certified translation of diploma produced by a sworn translator registered with the Caen Court of Appeal is recognised by French authorities and by many foreign institutions. For some countries, an apostille or consular legalisation may be required in addition. I will advise you on the appropriate procedure at the quoting stage. See also my page on sworn translator in France for general information.

Can I have only the transcript translated without the diploma ?

Yes. The academic transcript can be translated separately. However, most institutions require both documents : the diploma and the transcript. I recommend submitting them together to avoid additional requests.

Can I get a certified translation of diploma from Italian into English ?

Yes. I translate Italian diplomas into English, French and vice versa. The Italian-English combination is particularly in demand for international job applications and English-language master’s programmes. Contact me for a quote.

Where can I find general information about sworn translation in France ?

See the Tradyx general FAQ, the sworn translation page and the sworn translator in France page for detailed answers on procedures, turnaround times and rates.

Why choose Tradyx for your certified translation of diploma ?

Luciana La Marca, sworn translator and interpreter registered with the Caen Court of Appeal, runs Tradyx. Specialising in French, English and Italian, I handle every document personally, with no intermediaries or subcontracting. You deal directly with the translator who signs your certified translation of diploma.

sworn translator registered with the Caen Court of Appeal ;
certified translations in French, English and Italian ;
full confidentiality and direct handling with no subcontracting ;
fast turnaround and free quote within 24 hours ;
delivery as a signed PDF or by registered post according to your needs.

📩 Request a free quote · Book an appointment

Certified Translation of Diploma | France — Tradyx