What a certified translation contains
Four elements decide whether a receiving body accepts your document: the complete text, stamps and handwritten notes included; a statement of conformity with the original; the stamp, signature and accreditation number of the expert; and a layout that mirrors the source document rather than rewriting it. In Côte d'Ivoire, "certified" and "sworn" describe the same work, carried out by an expert accredited by the Court of Appeal of Abidjan.
TradExpert is the desk, not the certifier. We take your request, count the pages, quote a firm price, assign the file to the expert qualified for the language and the document type, then deliver. The expert certifies and carries professional liability. We state that distinction plainly, because it decides on what authority your document stands.
Documents we translate most often
- Degrees and academic transcripts, for university applications abroad
- Birth and marriage certificates, for visa and family files
- Police clearance certificates, the Ivorian bulletin n°3, for immigration
- Driving licences, for an exchange or a car rental abroad
- Employment contracts and payslips, for work permits and economic immigration
- Articles of association, trade register extracts and court decisions, for company files
Prices and turnaround
| Service | Price | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Common language | 12,000 FCFA per page | English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German |
| Rare language | 15,000 FCFA per page | Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Mandarin |
| Technical or legal document | up to 18,000 FCFA per page | Judgments, contracts, articles of association |
| Academic pack | 60,000 FCFA | degree, transcript and birth certificate, about 5 pages |
Standard delivery is 72 hours from the moment you approve the quote, with a 24 hours rush option for short documents. The quote itself reaches you in 15 to 20 minutes on WhatsApp, once we have seen the actual pages. Full details are on the pricing page.
Legalisation comes first, when it is required
Côte d'Ivoire does not issue apostilles. When a document must be authenticated, it goes through a notary, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cocody, which takes five to ten working days and costs 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA in administrative fees. Translation comes after, so that the certified text carries the legalisation stamps. Getting that order wrong means paying twice.
Ordering from outside the country
Nothing in the process requires you to be in Abidjan. Send photographs or scans, approve the quote, receive the signed PDF by email. Paper copies stay available for a relative to collect, or travel by courier. If the document you need has not been issued yet, a birth certificate extract or a police clearance certificate, plan that step first: it is usually the longest.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a translation "certified" in Côte d'Ivoire?
The stamp, the signature and the accreditation number of an expert accredited by the Court of Appeal of Abidjan, together with a statement that the translation is faithful to the original. Local practice makes no distinction between certified and sworn: both describe the same accredited work.
Do you need the original document?
Not to start. A clear photograph or a scan is enough to quote and to begin. Some certifications require the expert to have seen the original; we tell you at quotation stage if your file is affected.
Is an apostille available in Côte d'Ivoire?
No. The country is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, so no Ivorian office issues apostilles. Documents are authenticated through legalisation: notary, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cocody. Budget 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA and five to ten working days, before translation.
Can everything be handled from abroad?
Yes. Documents travel by WhatsApp or email, the signed PDF comes back the same way, and the paper copies are collected in Abidjan by someone you appoint or sent by courier at your cost.