Sworn document translation: everything to know about its value

Sometimes you need to get a sworn translation of documents including driver’s licenses, employment contracts or study applications. Those who wish to move to France, and French people who want to live or work abroad, will need to hire the services of a sworn translator.

But what value does a sworn translation provide? How are these documents recognized nationally and internationally? When can they be required? Here we’ll answer all your questions.

Quelle est la valeur des documents issus d'une traduction assermentée ?-1

Sworn translations: their official value and legal weight

First, a sworn translation has legal weight. It is subject to strict rules, and only certain professionals can provide them, in other words authorized or sworn translators.

A quick reminder of the definition of sworn translations

Sworn translations are translations of official texts drafted by French or international authorities. Authorized experts use distinct techniques to translate different types of documents. He or she must master the document’s source language and the target language.

These sworn experts are professional who may or may not be specialized in a particular field. Also, he or she can work independently or in a translation agency. Translation norms, especially the following:

  • ASTM F 2575;
  • EN-15038

 regulate this activity and guarantee the quality and traceability of the sworn translations.

The characteristics of sworn translations

Sworn translations are recognizable thanks to different elements which must be mentioned on the document. For example, a sworn translation must identify the translator’s:

  • last name;
  • first name;
  • seal;

Also, if the document has several pages, each page must have the sworn translator’s initials. Finally, a sworn translator must assign to every sworn translation a “ne varietur” number. This is a unique number that lets you identify all documents translated by a given sworn translator.

Who can provide sworn translations?

Only authorized translators can provide sworn translations. Thus, to be recognized as an official document, a translation must have been done by a translator whose name is on a list. Every court of appeals has its own list of sworn translators. You can easily find lists of sworn translators at each court of appeals here.

The fact that only those who have sworn an oath can provide these translations gives them real legal weight. Sworn translators are nominated by a court of appeals for a renewable period of five years.

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How long are sworn translations valid for?

The time sworn translations remain valid also gives them value. Although certain official documents are valid for a limited time, this is not the case of sworn translations.

However, some vital record documents, especially birth certificates, have a limited period of validity. To find the period of validity of all vital records, you should ask the administration who issued the document or the organization requesting it directly.

The legal weight of sworn translations

Sworn translations have another advantage: their legal weight. This means that documents translated by sworn translators give rights and responsibilities to those who request and receive them.

What documents may require sworn translations?

Many types of documents in many fields may require sworn translations for legal validity. Some of these fields include:

  • law
  • employment and recruiting;
  • education;
  • administration;
  • vital records;
  • transportation;
  • vehicle registration;

We deal with these fields daily, and we need relevant documents for certain administrative requests, obtaining certain jobs, driving a vehicle, etc. Here is a non-exhaustive list of documents that may require a sworn translation:

  • birth certificate;
  • death certificate;
  • will;
  • divorce decree;
  • marriage certificate;
  • diploma;
  • grade report;
  • employment certificate;
  • general sales conditions;
  • business contract;
  • patent;
  • visa file;
  • insurance certificate;
  • criminal record;
  • internship certificate;
  • court ruling;
  • vehicle registration;

The recognition of sworn translations

A sworn translation is important because it is necessary to get a foreign document recognized in France or a French document recognized in another country. The documents listed above may be required by administrative, customs or legal authorities in any country that has signed the Apostille Convention.

The Apostille Convention eliminates the need for legalizations of foreign public deeds. Article 3 of a memo written about this by the Keeper of the Seals of France and the Ministry of Justice states: “an apostille (defined in article 4 and issued by the presiding authority of the State where the document was issued) is the only formality that may be required to confirm the authenticity of a signature, the capacity in which the signer acted and, if applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp on this deed .”

A sworn translation is therefore sufficient to authenticate of a document in any country who signed the Apostille Convention.

The use of sworn translations

Sworn translations can be used by different types of audiences. As we have seen, they can be used by French people who are moving abroad or by foreigners who want to move to France. In both cases, they may need to provide different documents, such as birth certificates or criminal records, etc. to local presiding authorities.

However, sworn translations can also be useful to companies for:

  • recruiting;
  • signing new contracts;
  • exporting products;
  • creating new markets;

Finally, sworn translations may be requested by French and foreign authorities such as:

  • the administration;
  • a court;
  • an embassy;
  • a city hall;
  • a consulate;

In conclusion, sworn translations are undeniably valuable and unavoidable for those who wish to forge relationships with other countries. This can include both business relationships and life projects such as moving abroad.