Certified translation requirements for Canada
For official use in Canada, you generally need a translation by a certified translator from a provincial CTTIC-affiliated body. The receiving authority is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), whose rules determine the exact format, signatures, and supporting documents required. We align the translation with those requirements and recommend confirming any case-specific filing instructions before submission.
Who accepts certified translations
- IRCC requires translation by a certified translator who belongs to a provincial CTTIC-affiliated body.
- A non-certified translator's work must be accompanied by an affidavit.
- The affidavit route applies when the translator is not certified through the relevant provincial body.
What your translation must include
Accepted certification: a translation by a certified translator from a provincial CTTIC-affiliated body
- Use a certified translator who is a member of a provincial CTTIC-affiliated body.
- If the translator is not certified, include an affidavit with the translation.
- Choose the certification or affidavit route before submitting the document to IRCC.
Important filing notes
IRCC distinguishes between certified translators and non-certified translators. The latter route requires an accompanying affidavit.
Frequently asked questions
Who can provide a certified translation for IRCC?
IRCC requires a certified translator who is a member of a provincial body affiliated with CTTIC.
Can a non-certified translator translate documents for IRCC?
Yes, but the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit when the translator is not certified.
What replaces the affidavit for a certified Canadian translator?
Membership in a provincial CTTIC-affiliated certification body establishes the certified-translator route required by IRCC.
Does IRCC use a sworn-translator system?
IRCC uses certified translators from provincial CTTIC-affiliated bodies, with an affidavit required when the translator is not certified.