Apostille for French documents
If you want to obtain an Apostille on a document issued in France, note that France uses different legalisation procedures depending on the country where you will use the document.
Destination | Likely process |
Another EU member state | Some public documents may be exempt under EU Regulation 2016/1191 |
Hague Apostille Convention country | Apostille |
Non-Hague country | Legalisation and potentially further embassy/consular steps |
Use in another EU member state
Under Regulation (EU) 2016/1191, certain public documents issued in one EU member state can be presented in another EU member state without an apostille or legalisation. The rules cover documents relating to matters such as birth, marriage, death, residence and the absence of a criminal record.
For example, you may present a French birth certificate (acte de naissance) or marriage certificate (acte de mariage) in another EU member state without legalisation if the Regulation applies. You can also request a multilingual standard form to accompany certain public documents. These forms help the receiving authority understand the document and can, in qualifying cases, reduce or remove the need for a translation. However, the receiving authority may still require a translation in some circumstances.
Note: Documents intended for use in the UK are not covered by the EU public-document exemption because the UK is no longer an EU member state. The UK is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a French document intended for use in the UK may require an apostille. Check the requirements of the UK authority receiving your document before ordering an apostille or translation.
Use outside of the EU
France is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, which provides a simplified procedure for authenticating public documents for use between participating countries. This procedure involves an apostille instead of the traditional legalisation process. The Hague Apostille Convention currently has 130 Contracting Parties. Check the HCCH status table for the latest list and applicable entry-into-force dates.
Use in a non-Hague country
If you are using a French public document in a country that is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille may not be the correct procedure. The destination country may require legalisation instead, potentially followed by additional steps at its embassy or consulate.
Since September 1st 2025, Notaries of France have also been responsible for legalising French public documents, replacing the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for most documents.
The exact procedure depends on the destination country and document type. Check the requirements of the destination country's embassy or the authority receiving your document before starting the legalisation process.
What is an Apostille in France?
An apostille issued in France is a simplified legalisation procedure for a French public document intended for use in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms the authenticity of the signature or seal and the signer's capacity. It does not verify the document's content.
If you submit your French document to an authority in a country where French is not an accepted language, you may also need a sworn translation. Whether you need to apostille the original document, the sworn translation, or both depends on the requirements of the authority receiving your documents. Check those requirements before choosing the order in which to translate and apostille your documents.
When do you need a France apostille?
You may need an apostille when you want to use a French public document in another country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille simplifies authenticating a document's signature or seal for use abroad. Common cases where a document issued in France needs an apostille for use abroad are:
Immigration: If you are moving abroad for work or family, you may need an apostille for documents like a criminal record, birth certificate, or marriage certificate for a foreign work visa or residency application.
Studying at a foreign university: You may need to submit an apostilled diploma or school transcript when applying to a foreign university, depending on the institution and destination country's requirements.
Foreign marriages: Foreign civil registries require proof of single status or a birth certificate before you can marry. Depending on the country, you may need to apostille the documents to apply for a marriage license.
Starting a business overseas: If you are expanding your business or starting one overseas, you may need an apostille for company statutes or incorporation certificates so foreign authorities recognise them.
French apostilles can be issued electronically and recorded in the national register, allowing the relevant authorities to verify the apostille and the authenticity of the associated signature or seal.
Apostille services available from Translayte
At Translayte, we offer two main types of apostille services to meet our clients' varied needs. They are:
Apostille only service
If your document already carries a signature from a recognised government office, or has been signed by a solicitor or notary, you can choose our ‘Apostille Only Service ’. This service is straightforward and quick, as it involves legalising documents that already have the necessary official endorsements.
Examples of documents that clients submit to us for apostille only:
Apostille & notary certification service
For documents that do not already include a public signature or a recognised stamp, we provide an Apostille & Notary Certification service. This service includes an additional step: having your documents certified by a solicitor or notary before applying the apostille, where the document requires this certification.
Examples of documents that often require Apostille & Notary Certification include:
If you're preparing a French birth certificate, marriage document, police certificate, academic record or other official document for use abroad, Translayte can help arrange the translation and apostille services you need. Upload your document to get started.
How to get an apostille in France
Since 1 May 2025, French notaries have issued apostilles for French public documents through 15 regional councils or interdepartmental chambers of notaries. This has replaced the previous system, in which the public prosecutors' offices attached to the Courts of Appeal issued apostilles.
You do not need to use a particular centre based on where your document was issued. The territorial competence rules have been removed, so the 15 centres can handle apostille requests regardless of where the French document originated.
You can submit an apostille request in either of two ways:
Online: through the dedicated apostille platform operated by the Notaries of France.
In person: at an apostille and legalisation centre operated by one of the 15 regional councils or interdepartmental chambers.
Steps to obtain an apostille in France online
Check that you need an apostille: Confirm that the destination country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention and that the authority receiving your document requires an apostille.
Prepare your French document: Make sure you have the correct document and that it contains a signature, seal, or other official element that can be verified.
Submit your request online: Use the dedicated apostille platform operated by the Notaries of France or Translayte Apostille services to submit your application and the required document.
Provide any additional information requested: The application may require details needed to verify the signature or seal on your document.
Pay the applicable fee: The official apostille fee depends on the number of documents and whether you choose standard or expedited processing.
Receive your apostille: French apostilles can be issued electronically. If you need a paper copy or hard copy for your destination authority, check the available delivery options before submitting your request.
Steps to obtain a French apostille in person
Check whether you need an apostille: Confirm that the destination country accepts an apostille and that the receiving authority requires one.
Prepare your French document: Bring the original document or the required form. It must contain a signature, seal, or other official element that the apostille authority can verify.
Visit an apostille and legalisation centre: Since 1 May 2025, the Notaries of France issue apostilles through 15 regional councils and interdepartmental chambers of notaries.
Choose any suitable centre: Apostille centres have national territorial competence, so you don't need to use the centre connected to where your document was issued.
Submit your document and pay the fee: The applicable fee depends on the number of documents and whether you request standard or expedited processing.
Receive your apostilled document: The centre will process your application and issue the apostille based on the available processing and delivery options.
Note: When apostilles are needed for a country where French is not the official language, the document may need to be translated into the requesting country's language.
If you need a French document apostilled and translated into another language by a professional translator, Translayte can help. We provide translation and apostille services for documents issued in France, with hard copy delivery available when required.
Requirements for getting an apostille in France
Before applying for an apostille in France, make sure you have:
The correct French document: Make sure you have the document the destination country's authority requires.
A verifiable signature or seal: The document must contain a signature, seal, stamp, or other official element that the apostille authority can verify.
Confirmation that an apostille is required: Check whether the destination country requires an apostille, legalisation, or no additional authentication.
The correct document format: The receiving authority may require an original document, certified copy, or another specific format.
Any additional certification or notarisation: Some documents must be certified by a solicitor or notary before they can receive an apostille.
The required application information and fee: Have the information needed to submit your request online or at an apostille and legalisation centre, plus payment of the applicable fee.
Checking these requirements first can help you avoid ordering the wrong authentication or translation service. If you are busy and can’t visit the offices, or need a translation with your apostille, Translayte can manage the entire process. We offer apostille services, translate the documents, and include any certification the receiving country requests. Upload your documents to get price and turnaround estimates for your project.
How much does a French apostille cost?
The official French apostille fee for individuals is €10 per document for the first three, and €5 for subsequent ones. Legal entities pay €20 per document for the first three and €10 for each additional document.
For example, if you need an apostille for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, and academic transcript, you will pay €10 x 3 = €30 and €5 x 1 = €5, for a total of €35. Other charges may apply for forwarding costs. This cost applies if you obtain the apostille yourself from a notary in France.
If you want Translayte to coordinate the process for you, including notarisation, translation, and apostille, the total cost will depend on the services required. Request a free quote for a price estimate.
