Translation of a document: how to find a certified translator?

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

The approach is different in France and abroad.

In France

One certified translator is a forensic expert inscribed on the lists drawn up by the courts of appeal and the Court of Cassation. You can choose a translator from the national list of the Court of Cassation or from the lists of courts of appeal (an expert from the national list is also on the list of the court of appeal to which he belongs). One online service allows to find a certified translator :

Find a certified expert or certified translator

You can also consult the website of the consulate in France of the country in which the document was drawn up :

Certain public documents established in a European countries (EU) can be presented without translation to an authority of another European country (EU). In this case, the document must be accompanied by a multilingual form. The form must be requested from the authority that issued the document.

However, the authority to which the European countries (EU) may request a translation if necessary. In this case, the translation must be done by a certified translator.

Consult the e-justice website for further information.

Abroad

According to the consulates, the list of translators approved by local authorities is available on the consulate's website.

The translator's signature must be physically certified by the consulate.

Certain public documents issued in a European countries (EU) may be presented without translation to an authority of another European country (EU). In this case, the document must be accompanied by a multilingual form. The form must be requested from the authority that issued the document.

However, the authority to which the European countries (EU) may request a translation if necessary. In this case, the translation must be done by a certified translator.

Consult the e-justice website for further information.

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