France
Europe
France has been a Hague member since 1965. The Procureur de la République (Public Prosecutor) is the competent authority for apostilling French documents.
Why people process documents for France
Non-EU nationals moving to France need apostilled civil status documents and background checks from their home country.
French universities and Campus France require apostilled transcripts and degrees from non-EU applicants.
Most commonly processed documents
These document types are most frequently apostilled or legalized for France. Each link goes to a full guide on that document.
Requirements at a glance
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a non-sworn translator — France requires traducteur assermenté for official documents.
Real cases involving France
Anonymized real situations we have resolved for this destination. See all cases →
The problem: An Indian expat living in Hong Kong had their Indian birth certificate notarized and apostilled by Hong Kong authorities, but France rejected it.
Result: Application approved after obtaining the correct apostille from India.
Relevant services
Frequently asked questions
What translation does France require for official documents?
France requires a sworn translation (traducteur assermenté) — a translator officially appointed by a French Court of Appeal. Standard certified translations are not accepted for immigration, university, or legal purposes.
Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
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