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French Birth Certificate that needs legally translating

Question

Morning, would anyone know where I can get my sons French birth certificate legally translated into English?

becasse

There are two issues here:

The first is that, assuming you are referring to a Belgian "birth certificate" in French (rather than one issued in France), it isn't actually a birth certificate in the British sense but rather an extract of the official record of the birth held on Belgium's population register. The important issue being that this extract has a very limited life as a legally valid document, normally only 3 or possibly 6 months. Therefore it is only worth getting a legal translation IF you have an immediate need for it.

The second is that it is normally best to get a LEGALLY VALID translation done in the country where that translation is required as appropriately qualified translators there will know how to get the translation validated. It is easy to get a translation done which is legally validated in Belgium but that validation may well either not be accepted in other countries or need a further level of validation, by the other country's embassy in Belgium, for example.

If you still need a translation done in Belgium, the Yellow Pages are a good starting point for finding a translator.

Dec 16, 2015 10:19
kasseistamper

First and foremost before spending any money, find out exactly what will be acceptable to whomever it is who needs the translation of the original document.
If you want a translation validated by a Belgian court you must use a special translator who is authorised to do this and will charge more than someone who is just doing the translation.

Dec 16, 2015 12:32
anon

The British Consulate here has an "official list".*

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil...

* Please note that inclusion in the above lists does not constitute an official endorsement by the British Embassy or the UK government.

Dec 16, 2015 15:42
mik123

If you need the document for an EU country, you don't need a translation. You should go to the commune of the birth and ask for an international birth certificate ( it can be issued in English, French or German). The administrations of all member states are obliged to accept it.

Dec 27, 2015 19:44