Sworn and State-certified translation

There are two factors that can help you determine the price of a sworn translation the nature of the document (number of words, etc.) and the target language. The price of a sworn translation varies according to the nature of the document and the languages involved. Some languages are rarer and therefore cost more than others. In general, sworn translations of common documents such as driving licences or deeds such as marriage certificates, etc. cost between €30 and €60 per page. Finally, this price also depends on the sworn translator; each translator sets his or her own price, so there is no fixed price. However, at Translatorus we offer a fixed price of €30 per page. 

A sworn translator is a translator approved by a Court of Appeal. He or she is considered to be a judicial expert and a ministerial officer, and assists the judiciary and government departments in their work. The sworn translator is responsible for translating official documents from a source language into the language of which he or she is an expert. Once the translation has been completed, the translator's stamp and signature, together with the words "conforms to the original", certify that the document has indeed been translated by his or her expertise. The translation will then be considered accurate and admissible by the courts or the public authorities because it has been translated and certified by a legal expert.

There is no real difference except in the way the two terms are used. It is the translator who is sworn and the translation that is certified. In other words, it is wrong to say "sworn translation", but rather "certified translation" by a "sworn translator".

The original document is not compulsory, but it is recommended. Most sworn translators only receive digital copies of the documents they translate; the original is rarely used. It is therefore perfectly possible to send a scan of your document to the sworn translator, who will translate the document, print out the translation and the digital copy, stamp both and mention "conforms to the digital copy". All that remains is for you to present the two documents to the authorities, along with the original document, so that the authorities can check that the stamped digital document is identical to the original.

No, it is not compulsory to use a translator sworn by a Court of Appeal in your region. All sworn translators are recognised as legal experts. You can therefore call on a sworn translator from another region. The translation will be perfectly acceptable. In this case, you will need to send a digital copy to the translator, who will be able to send you the translation by e-mail and a copy with his or her signature and original stamp by post.

It is compulsory to use a sworn translator for a certain number of documents such as legal proceedings, notarial deeds, bailiff's deeds, administrative deeds and any other document where the original is not the official language of the institution to which the document is presented. If the document is to be presented to the prefecture, the town hall or a legal institution such as the courts, it must be translated and certified by an approved translator, known as a "sworn translator". However, it is best to ask the relevant authority whether it requires a sworn translation of the document.

A sworn translator is a translator approved by a Court of Appeal. If you want to check that a translator is sworn, you can ask him or her which Court of Appeal has approved the translator. Then all you have to do is check the list of legal experts for the Court of Appeal in question and check that the translator's name is listed under translation.

Legalisation of a document is the act by which a document retains its legal value abroad. It is therefore an essential procedure, without which a document cannot be considered legal in a foreign country. That said, some countries have made agreements and do not require legalisation. For this reason, you should check with the relevant authorities before placing your order with a sworn translator.