As a sworn translator for the German language, appointed as an expert legal translator at the Court of Appeal in Rouen since January 2021, I deliver certified translations of official documents mainly from German and English into French and occasionally from French into German and English.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is an official translation, carried out by an expert translator appointed in France by a Court of Appeal or the “Cour de Cassation” and in Germany by a Landgericht (Regional Court) or Oberlandesgericht (Court of Appeal). The Expert translator works only into or from the language(s) for which he has been appointed and affixes his or her stamp and signature to certify the accuracy of the translation.
Such stamp includes as a minimum the following data: name, surname(s) and the mention “Expert translator registered with the XXX Court of Appeal “ together with the language(s) for which he or she is registered. The translation must also bear another stamp whereby the Expert translator certifies that it is a “true translation of the original (or certified copy) in the XXX language, marked NE VARIETUR under no. (identification number) at [place] on [date]”.
The sworn translator (also called expert translator) delivers certified translations of a number of documents ( civil status records, judgments, etc.) intended for presentation to the public authorities, other administrative agencies or legal authorities.
The list below outlines the types of certified translations I can deliver (non-exhaustive list):
- Articles of association, Kbis extracts, minutes of general meetings, annual accounts
- Powers of attorney
- Patents
- Summons, court pleadings and court orders
- Contracts, e.g. sales contract, rental contract, marriage contract, employment contract; notarial deeds (e.g. property sales, wills)
- Civil status documents, e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate; driver’s license, criminal record
- Diplomas and transcripts.
How do You obtain a certified translation?
Request for a quote
Request for a quoteSend me a scan of your document by e-mail with the following additional information:
- Your Name, First Name, Contact Information (and Company/Organization)
- Source and target languages
- Deadlines to be met
- Postal address for delivery
- Number of copies of the translation
Get a free quote
Get a free quoteWithin 24 hours of your request, you will receive by e-mail a free quote and leadtime for your certified translation.
Oder confirmation and Payment
Oder confirmation and PaymentYou place your order by sending me back the signed quote with your approval by e-mail and send me your payment by bank transfer as well as the original document (or certified copy of the original) by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt (French LRAR) if you are not able to bring it to me physically.
Delivery
DeliveryI will send you the certified translation by e-mail on the agreed date and send it back together with your original document by post 2-4 working days later by French LRAR to the address indicated.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Which term is appropriate: “certified” or “sworn” translation?
Some people mistakenly use the term “sworn” translation, which is incorrect in French, because only a “person” – and not a translation – can take an oath and be sworn. Therefore, one should mention a “certified” translation done by a sworn translator.
2. Which documents require a certified translation?
A certified translation is usually required upon request of administrative or judicial authorities abroad, for all official documents which, according to the law, must be registered in a public register (passport, driving license, marriage certificate, diploma, civil status documents, notarial deed, criminal record etc.).
3. Shall I attach the original document to my request for a certified translation?
Certified translations should be made from an original document, except in the following cases:
- a certified copy is acceptable if it comes from a notary, a court or a police station (depending on the city), for example in the case of documents that the client needs to keep in their original form (e.g. diplomas, driver’s license, identity documents);
- a copy of the original document (PDF document), provided that in this case the sworn translator mentions at the end of the translation that he/she has worked from a copy and that the translation is done in accordance with the copy, and that the client then presents the original document to the relevant authority together with both the translation and the PDF copy certified by the translator.
4. Are certified translations recognized abroad?
Basically, a certified translation produced by an Expert translator in France is recognized in all EU Member States. So, it is valid for submittal to any authority or court in Germany, without any further formalities.
For countries outside the European Union, it may be necessary to have the original document authenticated, either with any Apostille or legalization depending on the country. Contact the recipient of the original document (administration, authority, court) beforehand to check the procedure they require.
