Personal and civil documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, death certificates, passports, identity cards, police certificates and civil-status records.
French document translation for official use
Certified French Translation Services for Official Documents
Arrange a professional French-to-English or English-to-French certified translation for personal, legal, immigration, academic, medical or business documents.
Upload a clear scan, PDF or photograph and include the receiving organisation’s instructions, your deadline and the required language direction.
French ↔ English
Both translation directions available
Official documents
Personal and professional records covered
Digital or printed
PDF delivery and optional postal copies
Standard or express
Timeline confirmed after file review
A clear certified service
What is a certified French translation?
A certified French translation is a professional translation supplied with a statement identifying the translation provider and confirming that the translated text accurately represents the source document. The completed translation is signed, stamped and dated for formal submission.
This service is suitable for individuals, businesses, students, solicitors, healthcare providers and organisations translating documents between French and English. The exact certification route should always follow the instructions of the authority or institution receiving the document.
When you are unsure whether you need a certified, notarised, sworn or apostille-related translation, send the recipient’s wording with your files.
Documents covered
French document translation for personal and professional use
Send every relevant page or side of the document, including visible stamps, seals, signatures, handwritten notes and reference numbers. Unlisted French or English documents can still be submitted for review.
Legal and immigration documents
Contracts, court papers, powers of attorney, witness statements, legal letters, agreements, visa documents and supporting immigration paperwork.
Academic and professional records
Degree certificates, diplomas, academic transcripts, school records, university letters, employment documents and professional-registration records.
Business, medical and financial documents
Company records, business correspondence, medical reports, prescriptions, patient records, insurance papers, financial records and official correspondence.
Both language directions
French to English and English to French certified translation
The intended destination matters as much as the language direction. Tell the team where the translated document will be used so the correct certification route can be checked before work begins.
For UK and English-language submissions
Translate French documents into English for immigration applications, legal matters, university admissions, employment checks, business use, medical purposes and other formal submissions.
For France and other French-language submissions
Translate English documents into French for an authority, institution, employer, university or business. Requirements differ by country, and a recipient may request a sworn or court-certified translator rather than a UK-style certified translation.
Simple online ordering
How to arrange your French certified translation
You do not normally need to post the original document to begin. A clear digital copy can be reviewed so the service, price, timeline and delivery format can be confirmed.
Send your document
Upload a readable scan, PDF or photograph of every relevant page. State whether the translation is French to English or English to French.
Confirm the requirements
Provide the receiving authority, intended use, deadline and any written instructions. The team reviews the file and confirms the appropriate service.
Receive the translation
Your document is translated, checked and certified. A signed PDF is delivered by email, with a printed hard copy arranged when required.
Prepare your request
What to send with your document
Complete files and clear instructions help prevent avoidable questions, missing content and inconsistencies between the translation and your supporting records.
Names matter: where a French name can be written in more than one way, provide the spelling already used in the passport, application or related identity document.
- A clear copy of every page or relevant side
- The source and required target languages
- The country and organisation receiving the translation
- Any certification, formatting or legalisation instructions
- Your submission deadline or required delivery date
- Visible stamps, seals, signatures and handwritten notes
- Confirmed spellings for names and places where necessary
- Whether you require a PDF, printed copy or both
Choose the correct route
Certified, sworn, notarised or apostille-related?
“Official translation” can mean different things to different authorities. Use the recipient’s instructions rather than choosing a service only from the wording of the document.
| Service | What it provides | When it may be requested |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation | A professional translation with a signed and stamped certification statement. | Commonly used for formal UK administrative, academic, immigration, legal and personal submissions. |
| Sworn translation | A translation completed under the recognised sworn-translator system of the relevant jurisdiction. | Often requested by authorities in France and other countries that use sworn or court-appointed translators. |
| Notarised translation | An additional notarial verification step connected with the translation or certification. | Legal matters, embassy submissions or overseas processes that specifically mention notarisation. |
| Apostille-related translation | Translation support for a document that also needs legalisation or an apostille process. | International use where the recipient’s instructions include legalisation or an apostille. |
Timelines and delivery
When will your French translation be ready?
Standard turnaround is usually two to three working days for shorter documents. Express service may also be available when the translation is urgent.
The confirmed timeline depends on the document length, readability, language direction, formatting, certification route and current availability. Send the complete file and your deadline before relying on a delivery date.
Customer feedback
What customers say
Questions customers ask
French certified translation FAQs
Follow the current instructions issued by the organisation receiving your document. Send those instructions with your files when the required route is unclear.
Do I need a certified French translation?
You may need one when a French document is being used for a formal English-language purpose, such as a visa application, legal matter, university admission, employment check or official submission. The receiving organisation decides the required certification and format.
Do you translate French to English and English to French?
Yes. Both directions are available for personal, legal, academic, medical, business, immigration and other official documents. State the required direction when you upload the file.
Will my certified French translation be accepted?
The translation is supplied with a certification statement, stamp, signature and date. Acceptance is decided by the receiving authority, so provide its current instructions before ordering, particularly for overseas use.
Do I need a certified translator in France?
For a document being submitted in France, the authority may request a sworn or court-certified translator and may impose additional formalities. Send the exact French authority instructions so the required route can be checked before the work begins.
What French documents can be translated?
Common documents include birth, marriage, divorce and police certificates; passports and identity cards; degrees and transcripts; contracts and court papers; medical reports; business records; and immigration documents. Other documents can be submitted for review.
How long does French certified translation take?
Standard turnaround is usually two to three working days for shorter documents. Express service may be available for urgent requests. The final deadline is confirmed after the complete file and requirements have been reviewed.
Do I need to send the original French document?
In most cases, a clear scan, PDF or photograph is sufficient to begin the translation. The receiving organisation may still require you to present or submit the original separately, so check its instructions.
Can stamps, seals and handwritten notes be translated?
Yes, all visible and relevant details can be translated where they are legible, including stamps, seals, signatures, handwritten notes, official references, dates, names and annotations. Avoid cropped or blurred images.
Can I receive a printed certified translation?
Yes. A signed certified PDF can be delivered by email, and a printed hard copy can be arranged by post when required. Allow additional time for physical delivery.
Send your French document for review
Upload every relevant page, confirm the language direction and explain where the translation will be submitted. Include the deadline and any instructions supplied by the receiving organisation.