In Brief

• The translation of official documents often requires the intervention of a certified translator (judicial expert).
• In France, these experts are listed on lists established by the Courts of Appeal and the Court of Cassation.
• An online service allows you to search for a certified translator by language and location.
• For European public documents (EU), a translation is not always mandatory if a multilingual form is attached.

Who Can Take Action

A certified translator is defined as a judicial expert listed on the 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 included on the list of the Court of Appeal to which they geographically belong. Therefore, you can choose a translator listed either on the national list or on the local lists of the Courts of Appeal.

Steps

1. Find a Certified Translator in France

The first step is to identify a professional listed on the official lists. Two main methods are available according to data from service-public.fr:

Method A: Use the Official Online Service A dedicated digital tool allows you to directly search for an expert or a certified translator. This tool is accessible via the service-public.fr website under the title "Find a Certified Expert or Certified Translator."

Method B: Consult the Websites of Foreign Consulates in France You can check the website of the consulate in France of the country where the document was issued. This approach may provide information on translators recognized by the authorities of that specific country.

2. Special Case of European Public Documents (EU)

If your document was issued in an EU country and needs to be presented to an authority in another EU country, the procedure may be simplified.

Certain public documents can be presented without translation. However, this exemption is conditioned by the addition of a standardized multilingual form.

Procedure for Translation Exemption:

1. Request the multilingual form from the authority that issued the original document.
2. Attach this form to the public document when presenting it to the receiving authority.

Note: The receiving authority in the destination European 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 additional information on European public documents, you can consult the e-justice website.

3. Procedure Abroad

If you are abroad, the procedure differs slightly.

According to the consulates, the list of certified translators recognized by local authorities is generally available on the website of the relevant French consulate. It is advisable to refer specifically to the website of the consulate where you are conducting your procedures.

An additional step is required for administrative validity: the translator's signature must be materially certified by the consulate.

Where to Address Abroad?

• French embassy or consulate abroad.

Documents

The documents concerned are "official documents" or "public documents." In the European context, this includes public documents issued in a member state of the EU.

For European documents requiring administrative simplification, the key document is the "multilingual form" to be requested from the issuing authority of the document.

Cost

This information varies depending on the situation and the chosen translator. The official source does not provide a fixed scale for the fees of certified translators.

Deadlines

This information varies depending on the situation, the availability of the translator, and the urgency of the request. The official source does not specify standard administrative deadlines for signature certification or listing.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Confusion Between National and Local Lists: Although an expert from the national list of the Court of Cassation is automatically on the list of their Court of Appeal, it is recommended to verify the linguistic and geographical specialization of the translator via the online tool.
• Assuming Translation is Always Mandatory in the EU: For public documents between EU countries, using the multilingual form can avoid the need for translation. Failing to request this form from the issuing authority can lead to unnecessary costs.
• Forgetting Signature Certification Abroad: If you translate a document abroad, neglecting to have the translator's signature materially certified by the consulate can render the document inadmissible.
• Using a Non-Certified Translator: If the receiving authority requires a translation (especially in the European context if the multilingual form is insufficient), it must be done by a certified translator. A translation done by a relative or a translator not listed on the judicial lists will be rejected.

Official Source

The information contained in this guide is extracted exclusively from the following official sheet: Fiche service-public.fr - Translating a Document: How to Find a Certified Translator?

Verified on January 26, 2026 - Service Public / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister).