Growing globalization’s pace has resulted in more need for certified translations, which Canadian immigrants need when reviewing complicated immigration information. Supporting documents submitted for Canadian permanent residency, working visa, and study permits must be translated with precision and accuracy to meet immigration requirements.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) mandates that documents not in official languages other than English or French must be translated to English or French by a certified professional translator who is a member of a recognized provincial translation association, such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) or other authority across Canada.
This article highlights the importance of using translation services that comply with IRCC standards and outlines the certification requirements and strategies for finding qualified translators for immigration purposes. You need precise documentation to achieve application success and thus need complete knowledge of immigration processes.
Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].
What is a Certified Translator and Why is it Important?
A certified translator in Canada fulfills the requirements of their provincial or territorial translation association before gaining official registration status with that body. An accredited translator acquires authorized authority to add both their signature and the association’s official seal onto translated documents after completing their certification. The certification process defends the translator’s proficiency and verifies that their work delivers accurate professional translation services.
There are several situations where you may need the services of a certified translator. Certified translators are essential when precise and reliable translations are required, particularly for legal or official documents. For example, if your translation is needed for the apostille process, it must be done by a certified translator from Canada. Some embassies or consulates of the destination country, especially in countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention, may also require translations to be done by accredited professionals.
Additionally, when presenting translations to Global Affairs Canada or a provincial apostille authority or when authenticating foreign language documents, the accuracy of the translation must be performed by a Canadian Certified Translator to meet legal requirements.
IRCC Certified Canadian Translator List
- Alberta: ATIA.
- British Columbia: STIBC.
- Manitoba: ATIM.
- Ontario: ATIO.
- Quebec: OTTIAQ.
- Saskatchewan: ATIS.
- New Brunswick: CTINB.
- Nova Scotia: ATINE.
- Prince Edward Island: CTIC.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: CTIC.
- Nunavut: CTIC.
- Northwest Territories: CTIC.
Check our Certified Translation Canada page if you need translation for your documents before authentication or apostille.
The Role of a Notary Public in Getting Translated Documents
The notary public plays a crucial role in authenticating translated legal or official documents before they become valid. The document gets translated by a qualified translator, while the notary public affirms it with a notarized certificate or affidavit. The notary public certification stands as verification of document authenticity. The notary public, or may be a lawyer, conducts verification work but does not evaluate the translation of supporting documents or original document copies.
Notarized translation services have become essential for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and legal contracts that need to be used in foreign countries. The notary ensures the translator’s expertise and attests the complete translation is truthful and correct.
Notarized translations may also be needed for international use in the apostille process. In this case, the notary certifies the translation before it is further authenticated with an apostille, making sure it is legally recognized in foreign countries. This is particularly important for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
How to Obtain Documents Translated Using a Certified Translator
Prepare Your Documents: Verify that the documents you need translated are legally valid, accurate, and recent. Legal contracts, diplomas, and official documents, including birth certificates, must receive recognition through notarization from authorized bodies before translation takes place. Official procedures require documents to have their validity verified through this step.
Find a Canadian Certified Translator: You should work with a certified translator from a provincial translation association. Your choice of a translator must align precisely with their authorized language services. Official documentation translation and legal documents, as well as immigration documents, benefit from translators who possess certification.
Notarization (if needed): A translated document might require additional notarized authentication when presenting documents in foreign countries or to government authorities. Notary publics verify both translator identification and the translation process by placing their official stamps and seals on documents following the translation step.
Apostille or Authentication for International Use: To validate the use of the translated document in Hague Apostille Convention member states, you need to receive an apostille. The apostilled document verifies the validity and legal recognition of the translation of the original document and accompanying notarization everywhere within Hague Convention member states. This process allows Canadian documents to be used abroad more efficiently without additional legalization at embassies or consulates, but it may still be necessary for countries that have not accepted the convention.
Valid Requirements for Canadian Document Translation
Civil Status Documents: For both personal and legal matters in foreign countries, civil documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates, sometimes require certified translation. Suppose you are applying for residency, citizenship, or marriage in a foreign country. In that case, you will likely need to have these provincial or territorial government-issued documents translated by a certified translator. Sometimes, these documents may require additional notarization or legal verification before translation.
Educational Documents: This category includes academic records, diplomas, and transcripts. Those who want to pursue education or employment abroad must ensure these documents satisfy corporate or educational institution needs using translation and validation by an authorized translator. Since foreign officials often have to verify the validity of the Canadian academic qualifications, the translation has to be exact and include specifics on the issuing institution and the course content.
Legal Documents: Legal documents, including contracts, notarized agreements, court rulings, or power of attorney documents, are eligible for translation outside of Canada. Certified translation of these documents guarantees the correct interpretation of foreign legal systems. Some legal documents may need to be notarized before being translated, and in certain situations, authentication or legalization may be required for use in another country.
Business and Financial Documents: For international operations, business-related documents such as articles of incorporation, commercial contracts, and tax filings sometimes need certified translation. Similarly, accurate financial record translation—proof of money or bank statements—is essential to meet compliance or regulatory standards overseas. Maintaining legal and operational transparency abroad depends on effective and accurate translation in corporate global interactions.
Legal acceptance and appropriate validation in global corporations depend on the certified translation of various document types. Whether you need additional authentication or legalization processes upon translation depends on the document type and its intended global use.
How to Send Your Documents for Certified Translation
Our company provides certified translation services across Canada for translations into English or French from any language, as well as from English or French into any other language. Every translation is carried out by experienced certified translators who belong to their respective Provincial Translators Associations.
Additionally, we offer notarization of these certified translations through a Canadian notary public, guaranteeing they are produced by an officially recognized professional translator in Canada.
Our certified translation services cover a wide variety of documents, including (but not limited to): birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates; educational records; police clearance or fingerprint certificates; documents issued abroad; Canadian documents in a foreign language; notarized powers of attorney; and corporate documents.
For those requiring certified translations for use in other countries, we also provide authentication, legalization, and apostille services. This ensures that once the document has been authenticated, legalized, or apostilled, it is valid for official use internationally. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Member of the Apostille Convention
Over 120 nations have signed onto the Hague Apostille Convention (Canada did this on January 11, 2024).
This is a comprehensive list of all the countries that will accept an apostille. This indicates that public documents can be utilized in other countries without legal complications.
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malawi
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea (Republic of Korea)
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
For other countries, the traditional authentication process is currently in place, which includes the participation of the consulate of the country of destination.
Need Help Authenticating Documents Issued in Canada? Legalization Service Centre Has You Covered!
With the Hague Apostille Convention being effective in Canada on January 11, 2024, obtaining an apostille for Canadian papers is now required for international recognition. The new process assures that Canadian documents are validated and authorized for use in nations that have signed the Apostille Convention.
If you need to apostille or authenticate papers across Canada, the Legalization Service Centre will help you immediately. We expedite the procedure and ensure your documents are correctly validated internationally.
Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].