In brief

• The translation of official documents often requires the intervention of a certified translator (judicial expert).
• In France, certified translators are listed on lists established by the Courts of Appeal and the Court of Cassation.
• Abroad, the procedure depends on consulates and local authorities.
• Some European public documents can be presented without translation if accompanied by a multilingual form.

Who can take the steps

A certified translator is defined as a judicial expert listed on official lists. These lists are established by:

• The Courts of Appeal;
• The Court of Cassation.

It is important to note that an expert listed on the national list of the Court of Cassation is also automatically included on the list of the Court of Appeal to which they geographically belong. You can therefore choose to consult the national list or the local lists of the Courts of Appeal.

If you reside abroad, the process differs. According to consulates, a list of certified translators recognized by local authorities is generally available on the website of the relevant French consulate.

Steps

1. Identify the location of the process

The procedure varies depending on whether you are in France or abroad.

2. Find a certified translator in France

You have several options to identify the competent professional:

• Use the online service: A tool called "Find a certified expert or certified translator" is provided by the authorities. This tool allows you to search for a professional listed on the official lists.
• Consult the lists of the Courts of Appeal: You can directly consult the lists established by the Courts of Appeal.
• Contact the foreign embassy or consulate in France: If the document was issued in a specific country, you can check the website of that country's consulate in France for additional information on recognized translators.

3. Proceed with the translation

Once you have identified the translator, you must provide them with the original document. The translator will affix their signature and seal on the translation.

4. Special case: European public documents

For public documents issued in an EU country and intended to be presented to an authority in another EU country:

• Some documents can be presented without translation.
• However, they must be accompanied by a standardized multilingual form.
• This form must be requested from the authority that issued the original document.
• Exception: The receiving authority in the destination country retains the right to 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, you can consult the e-justice website.

5. Procedure abroad

If you are abroad:

• Check the website of the French consulate to access the list of certified translators recognized by local authorities.
• After the translation, the translator's signature must be materially certified by the consulate.

Documents

The documents concerned are "official documents" or "public documents." This includes civil status acts, diplomas, judgments, etc.

For European procedures, the main additional document required is the multilingual form, to be obtained from the authority that issued the document.

Cost

This information varies depending on the situation. The fees of certified translators are not uniformly set by the official source provided. It is advisable to contact the chosen professional directly to obtain a quote.

Deadlines

This information varies depending on the situation. Translation deadlines depend on the availability of the certified translator and the complexity of the document. For signature certification abroad, deadlines depend on local consular services.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Confusing a regular translator with a certified translator: Only judicial experts listed on the lists of the Court of Cassation or the Courts of Appeal are authorized to carry out official translations recognized by French administrations. A translation done by a relative or a non-certified translator will be refused.
• Forgetting the multilingual form in Europe: Even if translation is not systematically required within the EU, the absence of the multilingual form attached to the public document can lead to its rejection or delay its processing by the receiving authority.
• Neglecting signature certification abroad: If you carry out the translation abroad, failing to have the translator's signature materially certified by the consulate will render the document invalid for French administrative procedures.
• Relying on unofficial sources: Always prefer the official search tool "Find a certified expert or certified translator" or the websites of embassies/consulates to ensure the validity of the service.

Official source

The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the practical sheet published on service-public.fr, verified on January 26, 2026, by the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister). The reference legal texts include Law No. 71-498 of June 29, 1971, relating to judicial experts and Decree No. 2004-1463 of December 23, 2004, relating to judicial experts.

For any additional questions or to be assisted in your procedures, you can use the online service "Pivot Local" available on the service-public.fr website, which directs you to the relevant Court of Appeal or the House of Justice and Law according to your city or postal code.