French document translation
French Certified Translation Services in the UK
Certified French to English and English to French translation for official, immigration, academic, legal, personal and business documents. Send your files online, tell us where the translation will be submitted and receive clear information about the appropriate certification, price and turnaround before work begins.
English → French
Certified French translation
When a French Document Needs to Be Used Officially
A certified French translation is more than a simple conversion of the wording. For formal use, the translation needs to be complete, clearly presented and supplied with the appropriate certification details for its intended destination.
You may need a French to English certified translation when a document issued in French is being submitted to a UK authority, university, employer, court, solicitor or another organisation that requires an English version.
English to French translation may be required when a UK-issued document is being sent to a French-speaking organisation or overseas recipient. Where the receiving organisation asks for a specific form of authentication, send those instructions with your document before ordering.
Translation directions
French to English and English to French Translation
The language direction and the destination of the document matter. Tell us both when requesting your quotation so the translation can be prepared around its intended use.
French to English Certified Translation
For French-language certificates, identity documents, academic records, legal papers, financial records and other documents that need to be read or submitted in English.
This is commonly relevant when French documents form part of a UK visa, university, employment, legal or administrative submission.
English to French Certified Translation
For UK or English-language documents that need to be presented to an organisation requiring French.
If your instructions mention a sworn translator, notarisation, apostille, legalisation or traduction assermentée, include those instructions so the appropriate service can be checked first.
French documents
Documents You Can Send for French Translation
From a single civil-status certificate to a larger legal or academic file, send every relevant page for review. The examples below cover common requests rather than every document that may be suitable.
Personal & Civil Documents
Common records used for personal and administrative purposes.
- Birth certificates / actes de naissance
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce documents
- Death certificates
- Civil-status records
- Family and personal certificates
Identity & Immigration
Documents supporting identity checks and immigration applications.
- Passports
- National identity cards
- Residence documents
- Police and official records
- Visa supporting evidence
Academic Documents
Records used for education, admissions and qualification assessment.
- Diplomas and degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Relevés de notes
- Qualification certificates
- Academic and enrolment letters
Legal Documents
Formal documents where terminology, names and references require close attention.
- Court documents
- Affidavits and declarations
- Contracts and agreements
- Legal correspondence
- Supporting statements
Business Documents
Commercial and corporate documentation for formal use.
- Company records
- Certificates of incorporation
- Company extracts
- Commercial agreements
- Business registration records
Financial & Supporting Evidence
Supporting paperwork frequently included within larger applications.
- Bank statements
- Payslips
- Employment letters
- Financial records
- Other supporting evidence
Cannot see your exact document? The site directory covers common examples rather than every possible request. Send the document for review instead of guessing which category applies.
Browse Document TypesOfficial use
French Translations for UK Applications and Formal Submissions
The purpose of the document affects the certification route. Tell us exactly where the translation will be used rather than requesting certification without identifying the recipient.
UKVI, Home Office & Immigration
French-language personal records, identity documents and supporting evidence may need an English translation as part of an immigration or visa application. The final acceptance decision remains with the receiving authority.
Universities & Academic Applications
Diplomas, transcripts, qualifications and supporting academic documents can be translated where an institution needs to assess information issued in French.
Legal & Court Matters
Court papers, contracts, declarations and supporting legal documents can require careful handling of names, dates, references and specialist terminology.
Employment & Professional Use
Employment letters, qualifications, certificates and other records may need certified translation when reviewed by an employer or professional organisation.
Business & Corporate Use
Company records, agreements and commercial documentation can be translated for formal review, international administration and cross-border business use.
Certification options
Certified, Sworn, Notarised or Legalised?
These terms describe different processes. Do not add extra authentication simply because the document is in French. Use the route requested by the organisation receiving the translation.
| Service | What it means | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation | A complete translation supplied with a signed statement confirming accuracy and completeness together with identifying details. | Commonly used for UK official, academic, professional and administrative submissions. |
| Sworn translation | Translation carried out under the formal sworn-translator system used by the relevant jurisdiction. | When the recipient specifically asks for a sworn translator or uses wording such as traduction assermentée. |
| Notarised translation | Adds an authentication step involving a notary public. | When notarisation is expressly requested by the receiving organisation. |
| Apostille / legalisation | An additional authentication process for certain international document uses. | When the destination country, embassy, consulate or receiving organisation requires it. |
Ordering process
How Your French Translation Is Prepared
The process begins with the actual document and its destination. That allows pricing, turnaround and certification requirements to be confirmed before translation starts.
Send the Document
Upload a readable scan, PDF or photograph showing every relevant page.
Confirm the Languages
State whether you require French to English, English to French or another combination.
Tell Us the Destination
Name the authority, institution, employer, court, country or other recipient.
Translation & Checks
Names, dates, numbers, stamps, visible text and certification details are reviewed.
Receive the Translation
The completed translation is delivered in the format agreed in your quotation.
Before requesting a quote
What to Send Us
Giving the right information at the beginning makes it easier to confirm the appropriate service and provide an accurate quotation.
- A readable copy of every relevant document page
- The source language and required target language
- The organisation, authority or country receiving the translation
- Your required completion date
- Any written certification, sworn, notarisation or legalisation instructions
- Whether you need digital delivery or require hard-copy arrangements
Document accuracy
Details That Matter in Official French Documents
Official records often contain more than continuous paragraphs of text. Names, reference numbers, tables, stamps and handwritten information can all affect how clearly the translated document can be compared with the original.
Names & Place Names
Personal names and geographic references should remain consistent across related documents wherever the originals support that consistency.
Dates & Numbers
Dates, financial figures, document numbers and identifiers require careful checking because small errors can materially change an official record.
Stamps & Seals
Relevant visible stamps, seals, annotations and other text-bearing elements should be considered as part of the complete document.
Document Layout
Clear presentation helps the receiving organisation compare information in the translation with the structure of the source document.
French translation FAQs
Questions About Certified French Translation
The exact requirement depends on the document and the organisation receiving it. These answers cover the questions customers most often need to resolve before ordering.
What is a certified French translation?
It is a complete French-to-English or English-to-French translation supplied with a certification statement confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation together with the relevant identifying and contact details.
Do you provide French to English certified translation?
Yes. French-language certificates, identity records, academic documents, legal papers, business records and other official documents can be sent for French-to-English translation and certification.
Can you translate documents from English into French?
Yes. Send the English document together with the destination and the receiving organisation's requirements. This is especially important where the recipient requests a particular form of certification or authentication.
Can I use a certified French translation for UKVI or the Home Office?
Certified translations can be prepared with the details normally requested for UK visa and Home Office submissions. Requirements vary by application, and final acceptance always rests with the receiving authority, so include any instructions you have received.
Can you translate a French birth certificate or acte de naissance?
Birth certificates are among the common personal documents handled for certified translation. Send a readable copy showing all relevant text, stamps, annotations and document edges for review.
What is the difference between certified and sworn French translation?
A standard certified translation and a sworn translation are different processes. Sworn translation relates to jurisdictions using a formal sworn-translator system. If your instructions mention a sworn translator or traduction assermentée, send those instructions before ordering.
Do I need a notarised translation or apostille?
Not automatically. Notarisation, apostille and legalisation are additional processes used where they are specifically required. Check the receiving organisation's instructions before ordering extra authentication.
Can I send a scan or photograph of my French document?
A clear scan, PDF or readable phone photograph can normally be reviewed for quotation purposes. Make sure all relevant pages, text, stamps, seals and document edges are visible.
How quickly can a French certified translation be completed?
Standard and express turnaround options are available. Same-day or 24-hour completion may be possible for suitable documents, depending on length, language pair and translator availability. Send the document and your deadline for confirmation.
How much does a French certified translation cost?
Standard certified translations currently start from £40 per document. The final price depends on document length, language pair, required certification and turnaround. A quotation is provided before work begins.
Start your French translation
Upload the Document and Tell Us Where It Is Going
Send the French or English document, required language direction, receiving organisation and deadline. The quotation can then confirm the price, expected turnaround and appropriate certification route before translation begins.