Legalization of a public act issued by a foreign authority

Verified 01 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You have to do legalize a foreigner document to make a step in France and you don't know who to talk to? We tell you what you need to know.

The legalizing a foreigner document may be required to make a step in France. For example, to apply for French nationality.

Legalization certifies the following information :

  • Veracity of the signature of the author of the document
  • Quality in which the signatory of the document has acted
  • If necessary, identity of seal or stamp which is mentioned on the document.

In practice, legalization is a official stamp added to the document.

Warning  

One french document intended for a French administration must not be legalized.

One foreigner public act intended to be produced in France must be legalized. For example, a foreigners degree to enroll in a university in France.

The following documents are considered as public acts :

  • Act of a judicial or administrative court. For example, a judgment.
  • Act of parquet. For example, a judgment.
  • An act prepared by a clerk, for example, a criminal record extract.
  • Act drawn up by a commissioner of justice (formerly judicial officer and judicial auctioneer). For example, a report of findings.
  • Civil status document drawn up by a civil status officer. For example, a birth certificate.
  • Act drawn up by an administrative authority. For example, a tax assessment, a certificate of social rights, a diploma, a school certificate.
  • Notarial deed. For example, an act of notoriety, a power of attorney, a will, a donation.
  • Official declaration affixed to a act under private signature. For example, a mention of registration, a visa for a certain date, a signature certification.
  • Document drawn up by a diplomatic and consular agent.

However, international agreements provide for a exemption from legalization for certain documents. These include: certain public documents issued by a European Union countries. For example, a birth certificate.

To find out if a document should be legalized, see summary table of the current state of treaty law in legalization.

You can also ask the embassy of the country of origin of the document.

Warning  

The legalization of a foreigner document should not be confused with the signature legalization (hardware signature certification) which is used to authenticate your own signature when it is affixed to a act under private signature.

Yes, a public document written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation in french made by a qualified translator.

This translation must be done before starting the legalization process.

The legalization of a document drawn up by a foreign authority is fixed at:

  • €15 for a Frenchman registered in the French foreigner Register
  • €25 for another user, of French or foreign nationality.

However, a specific tariff may be applicable for foreigner nationals of certain countries.

Ask the French embassy or consulate concerned:

The French ambassador or head of consular post is competent to legalize the following public acts:

  • Act issued by the authorities of his country of residence. For example, the French Embassy in Bangkok can legalize a Thai act.
  • An act issued by the diplomatic and consular authorities of another country present in its country of residence. For example, the French Embassy in Bangkok can legalize a public document issued by the German Embassy in Bangkok.

The act must be pre-legalized by the competent authority of the issuing State. For example, the French Embassy in Bangkok can legalize a Thai act if it is pre-legalized by the competent Thai authorities.

Depending on the embassy or consular post, the process is done by mail or on site. Ask the French embassy or consulate:

According to international custom in force, the legalization of a foreigners act intended to be produced in France is based on the principle of double legalization.

The approach is made in 2 steps :

  1. Legalization by the competent authority of the issuing country, usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (pre-legalization)
  2. Legalization by a French consular authority on site (legalization)

Most countries subject to legalization follow this principle of double legalization. Thus, the time limit for legalizing a document depends in part on the processing time necessary for the authorities of the issuing country of the act to “pre-legalize” the document.

The french minister for foreign affairs may legalize a public act issued by foreigners diplomatic or consular agents resident in France.

This document must be intended to be presented to other foreigners diplomatic or consular agents residing in France.

You can receive a response to your request for legalization of a foreigner public act in a 4 months delay.

If no response within 4 months from the date of receipt of your application, this means that your application is refused (rejection decision).

If you receive a negative answer, or in the absence of a response within 4 months from the date of receipt of your request, you can make a gracious and/or hierarchical appeal, and/or a contentious remedies before the Administrative Court of Paris.

You have a deadline of 2 months from notification of the negative decision (in the absence of a response, consult theAR: titleContent of your request to know the remedies and deadlines).

You can address your appeal by mail at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (French Administration Sub-Directorate):

You can file your appeal online via the online service Removal citizens.

Citizens' telemedicine (appeal to the administrative court)

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