Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a certified or sworn translation?
In most cases, a certified or sworn translation is necessary for any official document, administrative request, and anything relating to legal and commercial matters. There may also be certain specific requirements depending on the requesting country or organization. If a French authority mentions that the translation has to be done by an approved or authorized translator, or a translator on the list of the Court of Cassation or a Court of Appeal, then you will need a sworn translation and we can help you!
What is a sworn translation? Is it the same as a certified translation?
A sworn translation is an official translation produced by a sworn translator who has been approved by the relevant authorities in a given country. It certifies the accuracy and authenticity of the translated document.
In France, these are commonly referred to as “sworn translations,” but they are, in fact, certified translations carried out by translators who have taken an oath before a court of appeal.
What happens to my personal documents once sent to Trad24? Where are they stored?
Do I need the signature certification service?
If you need to submit an official French document along with its sworn translation to a foreign government, it will likely need to be apostilled or legalized by the Notaires de France. Before proceeding, we recommend checking directly with the relevant authority to confirm whether your document requires notarization, an apostille, or legalization. The specific requirement depends on the destination country—you can check the official guidelines here or refer to this summary document.
If an apostille or legalization is required, the translation must also be apostilled or legalized. To have a translation legalized or apostilled, the sworn translator must sign the translation at city hall and stamp the original. If you choose this service, we will take the following steps:
- Stamp and sign the original document.
- Sign the sworn translation at the town hall.
- Mail you the sworn translation with certified signature to an address in France.
This service incurs an additional cost of €30 (excluding tax), and you must either drop off the original at our office or send it to us by mail. Once we have returned the original document and its translation, you can submit them on the Notaires de France website to obtain an apostille or to have your document and its translation legalized.
How can I ensure my document is translated by a sworn translator?
Does the sworn translator who does my translation have to be affiliated with the court of appeal in my region?
No, you do not need to hire a sworn translator from the court of appeal closest to you. Translators who have sworn an oath at any court of appeal in France are qualified as experts and their accreditation is recognized nationwide.
I made a mistake while filling out your form after placing my order. Can I edit my answers?
Once the form has been submitted, it is no longer possible to make changes directly. However, there’s no need to worry — as part of our process, all the information provided is carefully reviewed to detect and correct any errors, ensuring the final document is accurate.
How do I provide my document, in what format? Is a photo enough?
You can provide us with a clear photo of your documents, readable and of good quality, a scan or even a PDF file. The main thing is that the information is correctly readable.
Why do I have to enter document information into a form myself? Is this secure?
In order to provide you with a translation as quickly as possible and in less than 24 hours, we have chosen to involve the client in our process. Once again, this process is secure since the form data is stored on servers accessible only to Trad24 employees and by multi-factor authentication.
In what format will I receive the translation of my document?
You will receive the translation of your document in PDF format with a certified digital signature. You can also request a translation in paper format, but this will incur additional printing and delivery costs at your expense.
What does delivery within 24 hours mean?
For documents eligible for our speedy translation service, we guarantee delivery within 24 hours of your completing the document form after placing your order.
For example, if you place your order at noon on Monday and complete the form immediately, you can expect to receive your translation by noon on Tuesday at the latest.
Our delivery schedule also depends on when you place your order:
- Monday to Thursday: If you place your order and complete the document form during business hours, we will deliver your translation within 24 hours.
- Friday: If you place your order and complete the form before the end of our business day, we will deliver your translation by Monday.
- Weekend: If you place your order over the weekend, we will deliver your translation by Tuesday at the latest.
What if my document is not eligible for speedy translation?
Some document types are not yet available through our speedy translation service. For these documents, we guarantee delivery within three days of placing your order and you will not need to fill out a document form.