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Sworn translation

001 Translation offers sworn transation services in 64 languages anywhere in France and in many foreign countries.

Summary:

What is a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is a translation made a translator who is recognized by the judicial authorities as trustworthy.

This is a fundamental distinction because it is mandatory that any official translation intended for the use of the government (national identity card, residence permit, etc.) must be made by a sworn translator.

What is a sworn translator?

A sworn translator or certified translator is a translator whose trustworthiness is recognized by the French government. When a translator files an application with the Public Prosecutor's Office to become a sworn translator, the application is reviewed and, if the translator's credentials are deemed satisfactory, the Public Prosecutor then proceeds to appoint the applicant, who is required to take an oath before the High Court, as the sworn translator.

When administering the oath, the court's chief justice reads the oath aloud: "Do you solemnly swear to faithfully and conscientiously translate all documents and statements that you are called upon to interpret before a court of law, a government agency or an officer of the court and to make a sworn statement to this effect before a notary or an officer of the Département?"

The translator, who is required to stand, then replies "I swear".

A sworn translator may also act an interpreter in a courtroom or before an examining magistrate. Hence, the translator must be physically present during examination of any individual or witness who does not speak French or whose understanding of French is poor. A sworn translator may also be summoned to a police station after an arrest or accident, and, of course, is present during courtroom proceedings. The presence of an interpreter during sentencing is mandatory. If not, any judicial decision will be deemed nul and void.

What is the status of a sworn translator?

A sworn translator is seen as a court expert who provides assistance in the course of justice; a sworn translator has the same status as an attorney, that is, someone who provides legal support services.

What does a sworn translator do?

A sworn translator renders expertise.

The role of a sworn translator is to make faithful translations of documents likely to be produced before any French government agency. In other words, the translation must be faithful to the original entrusted to the translator. This is called an official translation. A sworn translator must sign all his or her translations as well as any copies thereof and apply a seal.

What items or official documents must be translated by a sworn translator?

A sworn translator can make certified translations of a range of documents: civil or criminal legal proceedings, items to be presented in court, government documents and vital records, instruments prepared by a solicitor, notarial acts, contracts, diplomas and transcripts.

Generally speaking, a sworn translator is certified to officially translate any document prepared in a foreign language that is to be presented in a French court or to the French (or foreign) government. This is also the case with regard to documents needed by the authorities to prepare vital records (marriage licenses, residence permits, divorce orders, notarial acts, enrollment in the Social Security system, adoptions, birth certificates, etc.). Official translations are also required for French documents presented at a foreign consulate.

Do sworn translators have specialties?

Beyond their official capacity as providers of expertise, sworn translators are permitted to make translations for private individuals, attorneys, businesses, the government, etc. in fields other than law. A sworn translator may even have several fields of expertise (Technology, Medicine, Science, Literature or Economics).

What is the jurisdictional scope of a sworn translator?

A translation made by a sworn translator is valid throughout continental France and overseas French departments and territories before any body or government.

What is the difference between a sworn and an unsworn translator?

The only difference between the two is that a sworn translator is government-certified. No training or prior experience is considered. However, 001 Translation makes sure that its sworn translators have at least a university diploma in a foreign language and solid translation experience.

Is a translation that is certified compliant by a French court-certified translator valid outside of France?

This is not always so. In reality, it depends on reciprocal agreements between countries. A sworn translator can fill you in on this subject. An endorsement can sometimes used in this respect. An endorsement is a certificate attached to a document with which a national government, through the intermediary of the Foreign Ministry, confirms the authenticity of the signature and the capacity in which the Court-Certified Translator, whose name and signature are found on the translation, has acted.

Is it better to directly contact a sworn translator rather than a translation agency?

Not necessarily. Sworn translators in a specific language are often few and may not be available when you need to get an urgent document translated.

In addition, sworn translators demand fees and may ask you to pay rates that are higher than those of a translation agency, whose rates are often negotiable.

Translations agencies that are reliable and managed by translation professionals -such as 001 Translation- have developed expertise in making sworn translations of official documents.

Furthermore, because of their role as intermediaries, translation agencies maintain contacts with many sworn translators in France and in other countries.

This can be quite important if the translation is a rush and must be delivered within 24 to 48 hours.

How should I decide whether to use a sworn translator or a translation agency?

Make the decision based on the different elements of your need, such as:

Hint: A higher rate does not mean that the translation will be higher in quality. However, the price differential can be justified by the resources deployed to guarantee that the translated document is delivered before the deadline (e.g. delivered as certified mail, DHL, Fedex or Chronopost).

Generally speaking, as is the case for all official documents, more time must be alloted for having official documents translated by a sworn translator.

How do I choose between one translation agency and another?

Pick up the phone and call to make sure that the translation agency carries a professional liability insurance policy.

Translation agencies are required to provide proof of professional liability insurance upon request. In the case of a sworn translation, such a precaution is essential because you are going to entrust official documents to the agency's representative. If they are careless, your documents could be lost. Your agency representative or manager is required to send you a fax detailing the agency's liability coverage so that you can have peace of mind.

As a general rule, the higher the liability coverage, the more certainty you can have that the agency will meet its obligations.

No insurer provides liability coverage to a translator or translation agency without being assured of their professional abilities.

001 Translation carries insurance with a liability limit of 800,000 euros per translation contract per year, which is the maximum coverage extended to translation services.

Sworn translations into or from French

We offer sworn translation services from the following languages into French: