In Brief
- A certified translator is a judicial expert listed by the courts of appeal and the Court of Cassation.
- The process varies depending on whether you are translating in France or abroad.
- Some European public documents can be presented without translation if accompanied by a multilingual form.
Who Can Take Action
This process applies to anyone needing to translate an official document for submission to an administration or authority.
In France, the translator must be a judicial expert registered on:
- The national list of the Court of Cassation;
- Or the lists of the courts of appeal.
It is important to note that an expert on the national list is also included on the list of the court of appeal to which they geographically belong.
Abroad, certified translators are those listed by local authorities. According to consulates, this list is available on the website of the relevant French consulate.
Steps
Case 1: You Are in France
- Identify the Need: Determine if your document requires a certified translation. If the document originates from a European Union (EU) country, check if it can be presented without translation (see the "Documents" section).
- Find a Certified Translator:
Case 2: You Are Abroad
- Consult the Consulate's Website: Visit the website of the French consulate in your country of residence. Depending on the consulates, the list of certified translators by local authorities is published there.
- Choose a Local Translator: Select a translator listed on this local list.
- Certification of the Signature: Once the translation is completed, the translator's signature must be materially certified by the consulate.
- Where to Address: For this certification or to obtain the list, contact the French Embassy or consulate abroad.
Documents
European Public Documents (EU)
For public documents issued in a European Union country (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden):
- Presentation Without Translation: Some public documents can be presented to an authority in another European country without translation.
- Mandatory Multilingual Form: In this case, the document must be accompanied by a standardized multilingual form.
- Obtaining the Form: This form must be requested from the authority that issued the original document.
- Exception: The receiving authority in the European country may still request a translation if deemed necessary. In this specific case, the translation must be carried out by a certified translator.
For more information on European public documents, consult the e-justice website.
Cost
This information varies depending on the situation and the chosen translator. Service-public.fr does not provide an official pricing grid for translations.
Deadlines
This information varies depending on the situation and the availability of translators or consulates.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Using a Non-Certified Translator: For French administrative procedures requiring an official translation, a translator not listed on the Court of Cassation or courts of appeal lists will not be accepted.
- Forgetting the Multilingual Form in Europe: If you present a European document without translation, the absence of the multilingual form attached to the document may lead to its rejection by the receiving authority.
- Neglecting Consular Certification Abroad: If you translate a document abroad through a local translator, do not forget to have their signature materially certified by the French consulate, a step often required for administrative validity.
Help and Contact
If you have questions or need assistance with your procedures:
- Use the online service "Local Pivot" to find a contact near you (Court of Appeal, House of Justice and Law) by entering your city or postal code.
- Check the websites of foreign Embassies or consulates in France for documents from abroad.
Legal Texts and References
The information presented here is based on the following texts:
- Law No. 71-498 of June 29, 1971, regarding judicial experts.
- Decree No. 2004-1463 of December 23, 2004, regarding judicial experts.
Official Source
The data in this guide is extracted exclusively from the official sheet updated on January 26, 2026, by the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).
Service-public.fr Sheet: Translation of a Document: How to Find a Certified Translator?