Cheapest Way to Translate a French Inheritance Deed (Acte de Notoriété) for Probate Application?

MonsieurT

DullGreyGuy said:

Potentially, you'd need to speak to companies to see if it's an option. Certainly some these days use an AI translation initially and then a proofreader to correct it for a lower cost option so potentially the price you're seeing is already basically what you are suggesting. 

Finally, a helpful reply. Thanks.

MonsieurT

jimbo6977 said:

You will need an official translation by a suitably qualified translator. They're not "cheap" because they are qualified professionals, but their fee scales vary according to the complexity of the document you need to translate. You're paying about £1 per line for 7 tightly typed pages at £350. I don't think that's in any way expensive for a technical translation with important consequences.

No one sensible will sign off your translation, nor mine and I'm also bilingual (but not a translator). 

If I have to bite the bullet, so be it.

Arguments about the economic effects of licencing, and about the fact that some people are able to avail of taxpayer-funded translators free of charge, are for another day. 

Agreed. I'll have to pay more mind to Reddit-like tendencies in these parts when posting in future.

MonsieurT

Just thought I would provide an update in case someone is in the same situation and might find it useful.

So, I couldn't see myself paying - due to limited finances but also on principle - over £400 to translate the 7-page French deed in question and enquired from at least 2 ATC-registered companies whether they could proof and certify a translation that I would carry out myself.

One company said "no, we don't do that", another one said "no problem". Took me 2-3 days of slog between my own knowledge of French, an AI translation service and a fair amount of digging around online for correct translations of legalese terminology but I sent the translated document off and 2 days later it was proofed & certified. It's now with HM Gov along with my Probate application.

I saved some £270.

madbadrob

The easiest answer is no.  For probate etc you need a translation that is carried out by a person who is an associate of one of the 2 professional bodies. The ITI or CIOL are the two Uk bodies.  Have you considered using someone who holds a similar position with a French body? We did this with Spanish documents that needed to be translated and found them considerably cheaper than the UK people.  

I wint get into the political side of the OP because this board is not the place for it

Rob

MonsieurT

madbadrob said:

The easiest answer is no. For probate etc you need a translation that is carried out by a person who is an associate of one of the 2 professional bodies. The ITI or CIOL are the two Uk bodies. [...]

Well, according to CIOL themselves, there is another... The ATC. The ITI, CIOL & ATC work in partnership to set and maintain translation standards in the UK.

And according to the criteria on the Gov's own website:

"If you need to certify a translation of a document that’s not written in English or Welsh, ask the translator to confirm in writing on the translation:

• that it’s a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’ ✅
• the date of the translation ✅
• their full name and contact details ✅."

At any rate, as mentioned in my previous post, the translation is now with HMCTS. Let them get on with things. I've (more than) done my bit.

madbadrob

MonsieurT said:

madbadrob said:

The easiest answer is no. For probate etc you need a translation that is carried out by a person who is an associate of one of the 2 professional bodies. The ITI or CIOL are the two Uk bodies. [...]

Well, according to CIOL themselves, there is another... The ATC. The ITI, CIOL & ATC work in partnership to set and maintain translation standards in the UK.

And according to the criteria on the Gov's own website:

"If you need to certify a translation of a document that’s not written in English or Welsh, ask the translator to confirm in writing on the translation:

• that it’s a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’ ✅
• the date of the translation ✅
• their full name and contact details ✅."

At any rate, as mentioned in my previous post, the translation is now with HMCTS. Let them get on with things. I've (more than) done my bit.

I took the two bodies from the HMRC website itselfb   Good luck and please let us know the outcome

Rob