Sworn translation of notarial deeds: estates, wills and powers of attorney between France and Spain

A notarial deed written in Spanish cannot be used as it stands by a French notary: it must come with a sworn translation. This applies whenever an estate, a sale or a power of attorney involves both France and Spain or a Latin American country. As a French-Spanish sworn translator appointed by the Cour d’appel de Rennes and based in Brest, I translate these documents for notaries, families and lawyers throughout France.

Which notarial deeds need to be translated?

• Wills (testamentos), including the certificate from the Spanish General Register of Last Wills (certificado del Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad), which is essential for an estate opened in Spain.
• Affidavits of heirship and declarations of heirs (declaración de herederos), which name the heirs.
• Deeds of acceptance and division of an estate (escrituras de aceptación y partición de herencia).
• Notarial powers of attorney (poderes notariales), to sell a property, accept an estate or sign remotely.
• Property sale deeds (escrituras de compraventa) and marriage contracts (capitulaciones matrimoniales).
• European Certificate of Succession, when the authority receiving it asks for a translation.

Estates between France and Spain: the most common situations

The most common case: a relative dies in France leaving a flat in Spain, or the other way round. Under European Regulation No 650/2012, an estate opened on or after 17 August 2015 is in principle governed by the law of the country where the deceased last habitually resided, unless they chose the law of their nationality in their will. But whatever law applies, the notary handling the file must be able to read every document: Spanish documents for the French notary, French documents for the Spanish notary.

Sworn translation and apostille: in which order?

France and Spain have both signed the 1961 Hague Convention: a notarial deed used in the other country generally needs an apostille. In France, it is now issued by the chambers of notaries. The right order is to have the deed apostilled first, then translated: the translation then also covers the apostille. Find out more: Apostille: what it is and how to obtain it in France since the 2025 reform.

For which authority is the translation valid?

• For a notary, a court or an authority in France: the translation must be made by a translator appointed as an expert by a French cour d’appel. That is my case.
• For a notary or a registry in Spain: my translations are also valid in Spain.

How I work

1. You send me a photo or a legible scan of the deed, by email or WhatsApp.
2. You receive a free quote within 24 hours, with the delivery time.
3. I translate the whole deed, including stamps, marginal notes and apostilles, then certify it with my expert’s seal.
4. You collect the translation in person in Brest, or I send it to you by post anywhere in France.

Rates: from €35 per translated page. Long or highly technical notarial deeds are quoted individually.

An estate, a power of attorney or a notarial deed to translate? Contact me for a free quote within 24 hours.