A sworn translation, or certified translation, is a translation that is legally recognised as strictly true to the original document. This type of translation is generally required when dealing with administrative procedures abroad for official documents, such as civil status certificates, diplomas, company articles of association, driving licences, criminal records, etc.

Unlike an ordinary translation (even a professional one), a certified translation must be signed and stamped by an sworn translator appointed by the Court of Appeal and the Courts. This means that he is officially authorised by the authorities to certify the strict conformity and legal validity of the documents he or she translates.

Certified translations therefore bear the seal of the Court of Appeal by which the translator was appointed and display the words “true to the original”.

Call on a sworn translator, through a translation agency, is necessary to carry out certain administrative procedures abroad, such as applying for a visa, naturalisation, a driving licence exchange or a company registration.

To do this, applicants must provide translations of official, legal, administrative or academic documents into the language of the country in which they are applying. In order to guarantee the conformity of the documents provided, the translation must be certified.

Only a translator sworn appointed by the Court of Appeal and the Courts is authorised to do this. He or she guarantees the conformity of the translated document, in terms of both form and content. The certified translation then has the same legal and official value as the original document.

A certified translation is a translation that has been produced, signed and stamped by a sworn translator appointed by the Court of Appeal and the Courts. This certification guarantees that the translation is true to the original document and therefore has the same legal value as the original. On the other hand, an ordinary translation, even if it is produced by a professional and experienced translator, has no legal value. As the translator is not authorised by the Courts to certify the conformity of the translated document, an ordinary translation cannot be used in legal situations.

In order to guarantee the legal value of a translated official document, it is therefore necessary to call on the services of a sworn translation agency such as AB Traduction. We have a team of sworn translators appointed by the Court of Appeal and the Courts, and are authorised to certify the conformity of translated documents.

To check whether a translation is sworn, look for the stamp (or seal) and signature of the sworn translator. Only translators appointed by the Courts of Appeal and Courts are authorised to certify the accuracy of a translated document. It is also important to check that the name of the relevant translator appears on the official list of sworn translators appointed by the Court of Appeal. In France, this list is available on the website of the Cour de cassation .

If you are looking for a sworn translator to translate your official documents, AB Traduction is here to help. Our sworn translators will transcribe all your documents (civil status documents, driving licences, company articles of association, criminal records, balance sheets, notarial instruments, etc.). Signed and stamped by them, your translated documents have the same official value as the originals. Fill in the online form to get your free quotation.

The cost of a sworn translation depends on a number of parameters, such as the source and target languages, the nature of the document to be translated, its number of words and pages, the complexity of the content and the requested delivery deadline. To get a transparent and detailed quotation, request one online: it is quick, free and without obligation.