Foreign documents
Your foreign documents, accepted the first time
Many applications stall on a single piece of paper. An incomplete certificate, a missing apostille, a translation that isn't accepted, and you have to book another appointment. Here you'll find, for each procedure and each country, what to provide and in which order.
Before you submit a foreign certificate
- It is a full copy, and recent enough
- It is legalised or apostilled if the country requires it
- It has been translated by a sworn translator
- Your file follows the order the office asks for
The four steps for any foreign document
Get the right certificate
Full copy or extract, issued by the consulate, online or in your country: the form required depends on the procedure.
Legalise or apostille it
Depending on the country that issued it. This is done on the original, before the translation.
Have it translated
By a sworn translator traducteur assermenté when the administration requires it, which is the case for most procedures.
Submit it
On the ANEF website, at the prefecture, the OFII or the town hall, in the expected format.
Procedures covered
- NaturalisationBirth and marriage certificates, criminal record from your home country.
- Residence permitFirst application, renewal, change of status.
- Family reunificationThe whole family's certificates, and the OFII checks.
- Getting married in FranceThe town hall file when one partner was born abroad.
- Exchanging a driving licenceYour foreign licence, its translation and the deadline to exchange it.
- Studying in FranceDiplomas, transcripts and recognition of qualifications.
Do you handle files for other people?
Lawyers, HR teams, notaries, relocation agencies, schools: there is a section for you, with document lists for each procedure and a translation solution for regular volumes.
Go to the professionals section