Frequently asked questions — certified German ↔ French translation

In France, a certified translation (also called a "sworn" or "official" translation) is produced by an expert translator registered on the list of a Court of Appeal. It bears the translator's signature, stamp and a statement certifying that it is a true translation of the original document. Julie Auger-Kantor is a court-appointed expert for German at the Paris Court of Appeal.

A standard, uncertified translation has no official status: it is used to understand a document or for internal purposes. When a document is intended for an authority, a court, a notary or a university, a certified translation is usually required. For documents for internal use, see business translation without certification.

Yes. A translation by an expert translator registered with a French Court of Appeal is accepted by all French authorities, whichever Court of Appeal the translator is registered with.

It depends on the receiving authority. Some accept a certified translation produced in France; others require a translation by a translator sworn in their own country. Please check with the relevant body before ordering the translation.

Official documents in German or French: civil status certificates, official documents, court documents, degrees and transcripts, corporate documents and notarial powers of attorney, whether issued in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or France.

No. A scan or a legible photo is enough to produce the translation. The receiving body may, however, ask to see the original.

Yes. The certified translation covers the whole document: text, apostille, marginal notes, stamps and annotations.

Yes, together with David Ameisen, sworn English ↔ French translator, who works from the same office: German ↔ English translation is provided using French as the relay language.

They are two separate steps. The apostille, provided for by the 1961 Hague Convention (to which France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are parties), certifies the authenticity of the signature and seal on a public document; it does not translate the document. The certified translation renders the content of the document in the other language.

Not always. According to the summary table of treaty law on legalisation published by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: for Germany, a Franco-German convention of 13 September 1971 exempts public documents (civil status records, court decisions, notarial deeds, administrative documents) from legalisation and apostille; for Austria, civil status records and many other public documents (nationality, domicile or residence, absence of a criminal record…) are exempt, while an apostille is still required for the others; for Switzerland, civil status records are exempt, but most other documents need an apostille. If in doubt, check with the French authority that will receive the document.

Where an apostille is required: for a foreign document to be used in France, the apostille is first affixed in the country of issue, and the whole (document and apostille) is then translated; for a French document to be used abroad, the translation is done first and the apostille is affixed afterwards.

Since 1 May 2025, apostilles for French public documents have been issued by the French notarial profession. Details (in French) are available on service-public.gouv.fr.

Send a scan or a photo of the document via the form below, by email or by WhatsApp: you will receive a free quote within 1 hour, including the delivery date.

Turnaround depends on the volume and type of documents and is stated in the quote. If you have a deadline (appointment with an authority, court hearing, signing at a notary's office), please mention it in your request.

You receive the certified translation by email as a signed and stamped PDF. The paper original can be collected in Paris (152 boulevard du Montparnasse) or sent to you by post.

Yes. You send your documents electronically, receive the translation as a PDF by email, and the paper original is sent to you by post.