Sworn Translation of Criminal Record and Police Clearance Certificates
Do you need to submit an English-language criminal record certificate, police clearance certificate or background check for an official procedure in France?
Claudia Florentin , sworn translator-interpreter and court-appointed expert before the Court of Appeal (France) , provides sworn translations between English and French of criminal record, police clearance and related official documents.
Documents can be submitted remotely from anywhere in France or abroad for review and quotation.
Criminal record and police clearance documents translated into French
The terminology used for criminal record documents varies considerably between countries and issuing authorities.
Depending on the country of issue, the document may be described as:
- criminal record certificate;
- police clearance certificate;
- criminal record check;
- criminal background check;
- police certificate;
- certificate of good conduct;
- criminal history record;
- police record or other equivalent official document.
Each translation is prepared according to the terminology and information appearing on the original document, without changing the nature or legal meaning of the record.
Sworn translations into French can be prepared for criminal record and police clearance documents issued in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as documents from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Singapore, the Philippines and other countries where official police or criminal record documents are issued in English.
When may a criminal record certificate need to be translated?
A French translation may be requested when an English-language criminal record or police clearance document is submitted as part of an administrative, professional or legal procedure in France.
Depending on the situation, this may concern:
- nationality or residence procedures;
- employment or professional registration;
- administrative applications;
- court or legal proceedings;
- other procedures requiring evidence of criminal record status.
The receiving authority determines which document and translation it requires. It is therefore advisable to confirm the exact requirements before submitting your application.ence can be exchanged or used in France.
United Kingdom and Ireland
British documents may include Police Certificates, criminal record checks and other records issued for employment, immigration, visa or overseas administrative purposes.
Different documents may serve different purposes, so the exact title and issuing authority shown on the original document are reproduced faithfully in the translation.
United States
American documents may include an FBI Identity History Summary, criminal history record, background check or a record issued by a state or other competent authority.
The format and terminology may therefore vary according to the issuing authority.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Documents may be described as criminal record checks, police checks, police certificates or national police checks, depending on the country and authority concerned.
India and South Asia
In India and several other South Asian countries, the term Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is commonly used for documents issued for immigration, residence, employment or other official procedures.
Africa and other English-language jurisdictions
Depending on the country, documents may be known as Police Clearance Certificates, Certificates of Good Conduct, criminal record certificates or police records.
Sworn translations can be provided for English-language documents issued in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
English to French and French to English
Sworn translations are available in both directions:
- English → French, for foreign criminal record and police clearance documents intended for use in France;
- French → English, for French criminal record or administrative documents intended for use before an English-speaking authority.
If a French document is intended for use abroad, the receiving authority should be contacted beforehand to confirm its requirements.
How to request a sworn translation of your driving licence
- birth, marriage, divorce and civil status documents ;
- academic degrees and transcripts ;
- driving licences and driver’s licenses ;
- professional and administrative documents;
- legal and notarial documents.
Other official documents you may need translated
Administrative procedures may also involve other English-language documents.
- birth, marriage, divorce and civil status documents ;
- academic degrees and transcripts ;
- criminal record and police clearance certificates;
- professional and administrative documents;
- legal and notarial documents.
A Question or Need a Quote?
I am available to answer your questions and discuss your translation requirements. Feel free to contact me for a personalised, no-obligation quotation. I will get back to you as quickly as possible.