LEGAL TRANSLATION IN FRENCH: SWEARING-IN

In the field of legal translation into French,sworn translation requests frequently return. But do you really need it?

This article concerns translations of legal documents into French. For the legalization of French public documents intended for a foreign authority, you can consult the section on this subject on the official website France Diplomatie.

Do you need a legal translation or a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is carried out by a translator recognized as a ministerial officer and registered with a French Court of Appeal. It will certify that its translation is in accordance with the original document. This is a certified translation that is consistent with the original orofficial.

It concerns official documents such as pleadings, notarized deeds, bailiff acts, administrative documents, patents and certificates. It is therefore a matter of administrative procedures.

How to choose between a legal translation into classical French and a sworn translation? Sometimes you think you need a sworn translation when it is not. This leads to additional delays and costs as fewer sworn translators are available and formalism is more important. Not least because the sworn translator takes responsibility.

To translate a contract into a commercial framework, for example, a conventional legal translation is enough. Of course, it is important to ensure that the translator has the necessary skills and experience. In general, certified translation is directly requested by an administrative authority.

Should I use a translation agency or directly to the translator?

Companies are used to delegating their translation work to a translation company,to which they entrust the task of recruiting the right translator and managing the project. For a regular legal translation into French (sometimes called free translation,as opposed to sworn translation), this remains the preferred option.

However, for a sworn translation, it is often better to call the competent translator directly. In fact, the certified translator must physically apply his stamp on the translation and send it to the client in paper format. The translator may also have to do his work from the original document. Going through an agency could lengthen the delays, but may remain useful if the delay is not a problem and the client wants to offload the project management.

Pricing is not always done at the word as for translation agencies. The translator may invoice the page, and also charge a fee for stamping and sending the original translations by post. Finally, each expert translator sets his own rate.

The list of approved translators is publicly available on the website of the Court of Cassation.You will find translators registered with all appella courses. You can choose any professional for your sworn translation. Simply, as the Court indicates, choosing a professional from your jurisdiction will be useful if you wish to meet with him in person