French documents we translate
- Birth certificates (acte de naissance) and death certificates (acte de décès)
- Marriage certificates (acte de mariage) and divorce judgments (jugement de divorce)
- Family record books (livret de famille)
- Diplomas (baccalauréat, licence, master) and transcripts (relevé de notes)
- Criminal record extracts (extrait de casier judiciaire)
- Identity cards, passports, and driver's licenses
- Notarial deeds (acte notarié), wills, and property documents
Who needs French translation here
French documents reach us from France, Quebec and the rest of Canada, Haiti, Belgium, Switzerland, and French-speaking Africa including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most of the work supports immigration filings, credential evaluation, university admission, and estate matters.
Where our translation is accepted
U.S. agencies accept our certified English translation with its certificate. For documents used in France, French authorities generally require a traducteur assermenté, a court-sworn translator in France, so ask before ordering an English-to-French translation for official use there.
Both directions
We translate French into English and English into French. Quebec offices often require French, sometimes from a translator certified there.
Good to know
- Sarah is originally from France and Devin also works with clients in French, so your document is reviewed by someone who reads it.
- Every translation is prepared by our own ATA-certified translators in our own offices, not sent to an outside agency.
- French civil records are often issued as recent extracts rather than the original certificate. Ask the receiving office how recent the extract must be before you order it.
- Canada joined the Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, so Canadian documents now take apostilles rather than the old authentication process.
Moving to the United Arab Emirates: which route, and what it needs
Requirements differ by route and change without notice, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the consulate or your immigration attorney.
- Work and employment. UAE employment visas commonly require attested degrees and a background check. The UAE does not accept apostilles, so documents go through authentication and embassy attestation instead.
- Business, investor, and self-employment. Company formation, investor permits, and self-employment routes typically need authenticated corporate documents, powers of attorney so someone can act for you locally, and a background check.
- Remote work and digital nomad routes. Where a remote-work route exists, applications usually require proof of foreign income, health insurance, and an authenticated background check. Confirm whether the route is currently open before you build a document pack around it.
- Retirement and passive income. Retirement routes generally require an authenticated background check, proof of pension or investment income, health insurance, and often apostilled birth and marriage certificates.
- Family, marriage, and children. Marriage abroad, family reunification, and registering a child usually need apostilled birth and marriage certificates, and sometimes a single-status or no-impediment document.
- Study. Universities and student permits typically ask for apostilled diplomas and transcripts, and a background check for longer programs.
Document timeline
These are our turnaround times for the steps we handle. Government processing and consulate appointments are set by those offices.
- Fingerprinting and FBI background check — Submitted within 30 minutes of
your appointment
We capture your prints and submit the request through our channeler partners. The FBI controls how quickly results come back. - Notarization, if your documents need it — Same day
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and copies that need a notary before authentication are handled at your appointment, in our office or at your location. - Apostille or authentication courier service — 10 to 15 business
days
We prepare and courier the request to the right office: the U.S. Department of State for FBI results, or a state Secretary of State for state-issued documents. - Certified translation — 2 to 3 business days
Ordered after the apostille when the receiving country wants the apostille page translated too. Some countries require their own sworn translator, and we tell you when that applies. - Your consulate appointment — Set by the consulate
Book early. Appointment backlogs, not document preparation, are usually what delays a move.
Finding the United Arab Emirates consulate that covers Oregon
Each United Arab Emirates consulate in the United States covers specific states, and you generally have to file with the one that covers Oregon. Check the consulate's own website for its jurisdiction, appointment system, and current document checklist, because those differ by post and change without notice.
The U.S. State Department publishes the official directory of foreign consular offices in the United States, which is the reliable place to find current addresses and contact details rather than a third-party list.
U.S. State Department: Foreign Consular Offices in the United States
We don't book consulate appointments or file applications. We prepare, notarize, translate, and courier the documents you take to that appointment.
How we help with your move to the United Arab Emirates
One team handles the document chain, so you make one call instead of coordinating four businesses against one deadline.
- Fingerprinting and FBI background checks
Captured at our Beaverton office or at your location, submitted within 30 minutes. $135, or $350 with the federal apostille package.
- Notary and witnesses
Powers of attorney, affidavits, and consent letters notarized before they go for authentication. $10 per signature at our office.
- Authentication and legalization courier service
Prepared and couriered through the U.S. authentication steps, with the embassy chain explained. Priced by quote.
- Certified translation
$65 per document, $75 with a notarized certificate, in 2 to 3 business days. We tell you when the destination requires its own sworn translator instead.
- Passport photos and shipping
Photos sized for the country you're applying to, and tracked international shipping for the finished documents.
We are notaries and a private document facilitator, not attorneys or immigration consultants. We can't choose a visa route, complete application forms, or advise on eligibility. For that, talk to an immigration attorney or the consulate.
Prices
- Certified translation$65
- Certified notarized translation$75
Most documents are done in 2 to 3 business days. See all prices.
Questions about French translation
Can I discuss my documents in French?
Yes. Sarah and Devin work with clients in French, so we can review your document together before we start. Call (971) 514-3743.
Can I talk through my documents in French?
Yes. Sarah is originally from France and works with clients in French, English, Hindi, and Arabic.
Will France accept your translation?
For official filings in France, usually not. France generally requires a traducteur assermenté, a court-sworn translator there. Our translation is for U.S. agencies, and we can courier the apostille side.
Do you translate documents from Haiti and African countries?
Yes, including Haiti, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and the DRC, along with France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.
How much does a French translation cost?
$65 per document for a certified translation, $75 with a notarized certificate, usually in 2 to 3 business days.
Documents going abroad
A translated document headed to another country usually needs an apostille or authentication too.