How can I verify if a translator is sworn?

When you need to have an official document translated (birth certificate, diploma, judgment, contract, etc.), it is crucial to use a sworn translator , that is, one approved by a Court of Appeal .
But how can you be sure that the person you entrust with your documents actually has this qualification?
DocuTrad explains the official and reliable methods to verify that a translator is properly sworn in and qualified to produce recognized certified translations.
What is a sworn translator?
A sworn translator (also called a court-appointed expert translator ) is a professional approved by a Court of Appeal after a rigorous selection process.

He is authorized to produce certified translations that conform to the original , recognized by:

• French administrations or those of other countries signatory to the Hague Convention
• the courts,
• embassies and consulates,
• universities and public institutions.

Each certified translation bears:

• the statement “ certified translation conforming to the original” 
• the signature and stamp of the certified translator 
• the date and registration number .

Why verify a translator's certification?

Entrusting your documents to an unauthorized person can have serious consequences:

• Rejection of administrative file (prefecture, university, court, etc.)
• waste of time and unnecessary expenses 
• legal invalidity of the translated document.

By verifying the translator's certification, you ensure that your translation will be accepted without reservation by all official institutions.
How can you verify if a translator is truly certified?
1. Consult the official list of court-appointed experts
Each year, the Ministry of Justice of each country publishes the official list of court-appointed experts approved by the Courts of Appeal.
This list allows you to search for a translator:

• by name ,
• by working language ,
• or by Court of Appeal .

2. Check the information in the translation

A certified translation must include the following elements:

• the statement “certified translation true to the original” 
• the translator's personal stamp (name + language + Court of Appeal)
• handwritten signature or qualified electronic signature .

If any of these elements are missing, the translation is not considered legal.
3. Request proof of oath of office
A certified translator can provide you, upon request, with a certificate of registration with the Court of Appeal .
At DocuTrad, all our translators have this certificate, which is verified and updated annually.
DocuTrad Guarantees
At DocuTrad, all official translations are carried out by sworn translators registered with the Courts of Appeal .

Our commitments:

• Translations legally recognized by French and foreign administrations.
• Delivery within 24 to 48 hours maximum .
• Transparent pricing : from €26 per page (€34 for marriage certificate, €30 for death certificate, €27 for invoice).
• Secure payment via Shopify or PayPal.
• DHL paper option (+€15) to receive the original sealed version.

Each translation is checked, certified and delivered with proof of sworn translation .

Which documents require a certified translation?

• Birth, marriage or death certificate
  
• Diploma or transcript
  
• Driving license
  
• Criminal record
  
• Contract or judgment
  
• Company documents (Kbis extract, articles of association, invoice, tax certificate)
  

See the full list of our certified translation services

(FAQ)

1. Can a sworn translator translate all types of documents?
Yes, if it is approved for the language combination in question (e.g. Arabic ↔ French, English ↔ French).
2. Does a certified translation need to be apostilled?
In some cases, yes. The apostille authenticates the translator's signature for documents intended for use abroad.
3. How can you tell if an online translation is truly certified?
It must include the words “certified true translation”, the signature and stamp of the certified translator.
4. Can I use a DocuTrad translation abroad?
Yes, our translations are recognized by embassies, universities and foreign authorities, with apostille if necessary.
5. How long does it take to check a translator?
A few minutes: consulting the directory of judicial experts is enough to confirm registration.