Ukrainian-French Translation in Paris: Guide for Refugees and Residents

Paris and the Île-de-France region are home to France's largest Ukrainian community. Since 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have initiated administrative procedures in Île-de-France — at the préfecture, OFII, CAF, France Travail and local schools. All these procedures require certified Ukrainian-French sworn translations produced by qualified legal translators. This guide explains how to obtain them quickly, wherever you are in your journey.

Ukrainians in Île-de-France: administrative procedures and required documents

Ukrainian nationals who fled the armed conflict after 24 February 2022 benefit in France from a special status: the autorisation provisoire de séjour (APS — provisional residence permit), issued by French préfectures. This document allows them to reside legally in France, work, and access social support.

To build their dossier and access various rights and services, Ukrainians in Île-de-France often need to have their official documents translated into French by a sworn translator. It is essential that this translator is specifically authorised for Ukrainian — a Cyrillic language distinct from Russian.

The Île-de-France préfecture and sub-préfectures

The Paris préfecture and Île-de-France sub-préfectures manage APS applications and residency permit renewals. Documents typically required include:

• Ukrainian passport (закордонний паспорт) — certified translation of the identity pages
• Ukrainian birth certificate (метрика) for each family member
• Marriage certificate for married couples
• Any document justifying the situation in Ukraine before departure

Most requested Ukrainian documents in Paris

For OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration)

• Ukrainian passport with full translation
• Birth certificate (свідоцтво про народження) — essential
• Documents justifying forced departure from Ukraine
• Proof of income or previous professional situation

For the CAF (Family Allowance Office)

• Birth certificates for dependent children
• Marriage certificate or documents attesting family situation
• Documents proving child custody

For France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) and job seeking

• Ukrainian university degree (диплом) with transcript — for qualification recognition
• Ukrainian employment records (трудова книжка)
• Professional training and skills certificates
• Criminal record certificate (довідка про несудимість) — required by many employers

For Parisian schools

• Ukrainian school attendance certificate to determine year of admission
• Translated school reports
• Vaccination record if required by the school

Translation turnaround times in Paris

Sworn translation in France: what you need to know

In France, sworn translators are appointed by the Courts of Appeal and officially known as "traducteurs experts judiciaires". For Ukrainian, these translators are registered on the list of their local Court of Appeal (Paris, Versailles, etc.).

Our Ukrainian-French translators are judicial experts sworn before French and/or Belgian Courts of Appeal. Their translations are accepted by the Île-de-France préfecture, OFII, CAF, France Travail and French schools.

Based in Paris, the inner suburbs or anywhere else in France? No problem: ordering is entirely online, delivery is by email and, when needed, by post to any French address.

FAQ — Ukrainian translation in Paris

Does the Paris préfecture accept translations produced by an online agency?

Yes, provided the translator is a sworn judicial expert registered on a French Court of Appeal list. The préfecture does not check where you ordered the translation, but the identity and accreditation of the translator. Our Ukrainian-French translators meet these requirements.

Does OFII require originals or copies?

In most cases, a certified translation of a copy or scan is sufficient. Some dossiers may require presenting the originals alongside the translation. We strongly advise you to keep all your Ukrainian originals safe and never send them without retaining a copy.

Can I have documents in poor condition or partially illegible translated?

We understand that in situations of hasty departure, some documents may be damaged or incomplete. Our translators will do their best with what is available and will clearly note any illegible or missing parts in the translation. Contact us to assess feasibility before placing an order.