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a Cup of Words

Registered with the Court of Appeal since 2021

Sworn translation

Since 2021 I have been a court-appointed translator for English and German, registered with the Court of Appeal of Dijon. I produce certified translations between French, English and German, in both directions for each language pair, recognised by French authorities, courts, notaries, consulates and institutions abroad. My stamp and my signature are what give each translation its legal standing.

Valid throughout FranceRemotely, from abroad tooQuote within one working day

Where it is valid

Wherever you are in France, or abroad

Registering with one court of appeal does not limit where the translation can be used. A sworn translation from a translator registered with the Court of Appeal of Dijon is valid anywhere in France, wherever in France you live and whichever authority is asking for it. That is the question I am asked most often, by private individuals and notaries alike, and that is the answer. The whole process is handled remotely, including from abroad.

  • Prefectures
  • Courts
  • Notaries
  • Consulates
  • Universities
  • Foreign institutions

Documents covered

The documents that need to be certified

Whenever a French or foreign authority asks for a “certified”, “official” or “sworn” translation, or one “by an approved translator”, this is what they mean.

  • 01

    Civil status records

    birth, marriage, death, family record book

  • 02

    Court documents

    judgments, procedural documents, court decisions

  • 03

    Education

    diplomas, academic transcripts, certificates of enrolment

  • 04

    Identity

    driving licences, identity documents, passports

  • 05

    Administrative

    criminal record extracts, administrative certificates

  • 06

    Business and notarial

    contracts, articles of association, notarial deeds, powers of attorney

How it works

Four steps, no in-person visit needed

From a scan of your document to the stamped original in your letterbox.

  1. 01

    You send me a scan

    A clear photo is enough for me to quote. Tell me which country and which body it is for: that is what decides whether any further formalities apply.

  2. 02

    You receive a firm quote within one working day

    It sets out the price, the turnaround time and, where relevant, any apostille or legalisation to allow for. No surprises later.

  3. 03

    I translate and certify

    The translation follows the layout of your original, notes the stamps and signatures it carries, and then bears my own stamp and signature.

  4. 04

    You receive the original by post

    A scan reaches you straight away so you can check it, and the signed original follows in the post. I can also hand it over in person, by appointment.

Rates and commitments

A fixed price per document, agreed up front

Three things set the price: volume, deadline and how technical the text is. You get a firm quote within one working day.

Rates and commitments
ServiceRate
Translation and certification: civil status record (birth, marriage, death), identity document, driving licence, diploma, criminal record extractfrom €60 (€50 excl. VAT)per document
Academic transcript, payslips, bank statements, administrative certificatesOn request
Notarial deed, court ruling, contract, articles of associationPer wordon request, depending on volume
General translation, transcreation, revision, post-editingPer word or per houron request

This rate applies to one-page documents only. Longer documents are quoted per word. Services subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%. Prices shown include VAT; the amount excluding VAT is given in brackets for business clients.

For use abroad

Apostille and legalisation

Some countries want more than the sworn translation: an apostille, or a legalisation of the translator's signature. That step is handled by the court of appeal or by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, not by me. Tell me the country and the body asking for it when you request your quote, and I will tell you which of the two applies and in what order to go about it.

What my clients say

« Frau Vannier ist seit vielen Jahren für mich als Übersetzerin tätig. Sie hat viele internationale vertrauliche Vertragsdokumente und andere Texte für mein Unternehmen in Frankfurt übersetzt. Sie leistet immer hervorragende Arbeit. Sehr gerne empfehle ich Frau Vannier für sämtliche Übersetzungsarbeiten weiter. »
Read the translation

Translated from German
Ms Vannier has worked as a translator for me for many years. She has translated a great many confidential international contract documents and other texts for my company in Frankfurt. Her work is always outstanding. I am very glad to recommend Ms Vannier for translation work of every kind.

Klaus Peter Ochs

Former President, Intercoiffure Mondial

« I asked Silvia to provide me with certified French-English translations of some civil documents. She was very prompt and professional in her communication, and her translations were faithful, accurate and well formatted. It is a pleasure for me to recommend her services. I will be passing on her details to anybody else who needs French-English translations, certified or otherwise. »

Edward Ashley

Google review

« Exzellenter Service. Zudem außerordentlich freundlich und reaktiv. Besten Dank. »
Read the translation

Translated from German
Excellent service. Extremely friendly and responsive too. Many thanks.

Sascha Kettler

Google review

« Silvia is great. Her communication was fantastic, and she provided clear pricing and excellent translations. Would 100% recommend with any of your translation needs. »

Heather Doolan

Google review

Frequently asked questions

Before you send your document

The other questions are on the homepage.

What is the difference between a translation and a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is produced by a translator on the list of court-appointed experts held by a court of appeal. It carries their stamp, their signature, the date and a statement that it matches the original document, and that is what gives it official standing with public authorities, courts, notaries and consulates. An ordinary translation, however good, has none of that standing. I have been registered with the Court of Appeal of Dijon since 2021, for English and German.

Can I work with you if I am not in Burgundy?

Yes. Registration with a court of appeal does not confine the validity of the translation to that court's area: a sworn translation produced by an expert registered with the Court of Appeal of Dijon is valid throughout France, whatever the department you live in and whatever authority it is intended for. The work is done remotely, from abroad as well: you send me a scan of the document, I send you a quote, and the signed, stamped original reaches you by post.

Which documents require a sworn translation?

Civil status records (birth, marriage, death), court rulings and procedural documents, diplomas and academic transcripts, driving licences, criminal record extracts, contracts, articles of association, notarial deeds and identity papers. In practice, whenever a French or foreign authority asks for a “certified” or “official” translation, or one “by a sworn translator”, this is what it means.

Is a sworn translation made in France valid abroad?

In most cases it is, sometimes once the translator's signature has been apostilled or legalised, depending on the destination country. That formality is a matter for the court of appeal or the ministry, not for the translator. Tell me which country and which body is asking, and I will tell you what extra step to plan for.

How are your rates calculated?

Three things set the quote: volume, deadline and how technical the field is. I invoice per word or per hour, depending on the nature of the project. Sworn translations are invoiced per page or per document. I reply within one working day with a firm quote.

Need a document translated?

Send me a scan and you will have a firm quote within one working day.