FAQs
You can obtain a translation of your birth certificate by sending a copy of the document to a certified translator. They will produce a certified translation, recognized by French and foreign authorities. The request can be made online or in person.
The cost varies depending on the language and the turnaround time. Generally, a certified translation of a birth certificate costs between €30 and €60 (€26 at Docutrad). Urgent requests may incur a higher price.
To translate it into French, simply contact a sworn translator registered with a French Court of Appeal or use a certified translation platform. You send them the document as a PDF or photo, and they provide a certified translation with a signature and official stamp.
The application can be made by the person concerned, one of their parents if they are a minor, their legal representative, or sometimes their spouse. In certain cases, a lawyer can also file the application on behalf of the applicant.
Transcription is only mandatory if you wish for your foreign birth certificate to be officially recognized in France. It is essential for French civil registration procedures (identity card, passport, marriage, etc.). If you have no administrative procedures in France, transcription is not necessary.
