In short
- France issues three versions of a birth record: the copie intégrale (full copy), the extrait avec filiation (extract with parents) and the extrait sans filiation (extract without parents).
- The full copy and the extract with parents both show the parents and any mentions marginales, notes added later about marriage, divorce or other changes.
- You can request them free of charge from the mairie of the place of birth, online through service-public, or from the Service central d'état civil in Nantes for French citizens born abroad.
- The English translation must include the marginal notes, stamps and signatures, not just the main entry.
A French birth certificate, or acte de naissance, is one of the documents most often requested from French citizens and people born in France who live in the UK or US. Before you get it translated, make sure you have the right version.
What are the three versions of an acte de naissance?
| Version | What it contains | Who can request it |
|---|---|---|
| Copie intégrale (full copy) | All the information in the register: the person, their parents and any mentions marginales | The person (if an adult), their legal representative or spouse, ascendants, descendants, or a professional authorised by law |
| Extrait avec filiation (extract with parentage) | A summary of the record: the person, their parents and the marginal notes | Same as the full copy |
| Extrait sans filiation (extract without parentage) | A summary limited to the person and the marginal notes, without the parents | Anyone, without having to give a reason |
For UK and US applications that need to show parentage, such as family visas, citizenship or proof of relationship, the copie intégrale or the extrait avec filiation is usually the right choice, because the extract without parentage does not name the parents. Check what the office handling your case asks for.
What are mentions marginales?
Mentions marginales are notes added to the birth record after the birth: for example a marriage, divorce, change of name, recognition of a child or a death. They can change how an officer reads the record, so they must be translated in full, in the same position relative to the main text.
How do I get a French birth certificate?
- Born in France: request it from the mairie (town hall) of the place of birth, online through the free service on service-public, in person, or by post.
- French citizen born abroad: request it from the Service central d'état civil in Nantes, part of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, online or by post.
- Foreign national born abroad: contact the authority that registered the birth in the country of birth.
The procedure is free of charge.
What should the English translation include?
- The full heading, including the commune or department and the register details
- Every name, date and place, with dates written with the month in words, such as 4 March 1990
- All mentions marginales
- Stamps, seals and signatures, described in brackets, for example [Stamp: Mairie de Lyon]
- Notes that the document was issued as a copie intégrale or extrait, so the reader knows which version it is
Is the EU multilingual form enough?
Within the European Union, some public documents can be presented with a multilingual standard form instead of a translation, although the receiving authority can still ask for a translation. That EU system is designed for use between EU countries. For the UK and the US, expect to need a certified English translation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a recent copy of my French birth certificate?
Some offices ask for a recently issued copy. If yours does, request a new one before ordering the translation.
Can you translate birth certificates from Belgium, Switzerland, Canada or French-speaking Africa?
Yes. We translate French-language civil documents from any country into English. The format varies by country, and we reproduce it faithfully.
Is the livret de famille a substitute for a birth certificate?
The livret de famille (family record book) records family events, but it is a different document. Check which document the receiving office asks for.
How much does it cost to translate a French birth certificate?
At Lexiveris, a French civil certificate costs £35 or $45 per page, with the certificate of accuracy included. Price your document online.
Sources
- Service-Public (France): Acte de naissance, copie intégrale ou extrait
- Service-Public (France): Traduction d'un document
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): USCIS translation requirement
This article is general information based on published guidance as of 31 October 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice, and requirements can change. Always check the current requirements with the office handling your case. Lexiveris Translations provides translation services only and is not affiliated with any government agency.