IRCC Certified Translation Services
Certified translations that meet IRCC requirements (IRCC certified-translator or affidavit requirements). Fast turnaround, native translators, 100% acceptance guarantee for Canada.
IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaCanadaIf you're submitting a document that isn't in English or French to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), birth certificates and marriage certificates are the most common, IRCC has a specific published requirement for how that translation has to be handled. It's a genuinely different system from the U.S., and it's worth understanding before you order.
The requirement, in full
IRCC’s published translation requirements
Sources — checked September 2026
What IRCC Actually Requires
IRCC’s requirement works on two possible paths, depending on who does the translation:
- Certified translator — if the translator is a certified member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada, no affidavit is required.
- Any other translator — the translation must be accompanied by a sworn affidavit from the translator, attesting that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original, sworn in front of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator lives.
You’ll typically also need to submit a certified copy of the original document alongside the translation, and translations by family members are not accepted under any circumstances, regardless of certification or an affidavit. See IRCC’s own guidance for the source.
How Our Certified Translation Meets This Requirement
We don’t claim our translators are certified members of a Canadian provincial or territorial translators’ association as a blanket rule, so every IRCC translation we deliver takes the second path: a sworn, notarized affidavit from the translator, attesting the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original. That’s included as standard, not an extra step you have to arrange yourself.
- Every translation is completed by a professional, native-fluent translator and checked by a second linguist before delivery.
- A sworn, notarized affidavit is included with every IRCC translation, meeting IRCC’s requirement for translators who aren’t certified members of a Canadian provincial association.
- If a translation is rejected specifically for an accuracy issue, we’ll correct it at no additional cost.
See our Certified Translation service page for pricing, and our Notarization page for how the notarized affidavit works.
Certified Copy of Your Original Document
IRCC typically also wants a certified true copy of your original foreign-language document, separate from the translation. That certification confirms the copy is a true copy of your original, not the accuracy of our translation, so it’s usually arranged locally wherever you live (a lawyer, notary, or other authorized official), rather than something we provide as part of the translation itself. Confirm your application’s specific document checklist to see if this applies to you.
Common Documents for IRCC Applications
Most commonly: Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate translations (note: those pages’ examples are written around U.S. filings, but the same document type and translation process apply for an IRCC submission). See our full Documents directory for other document types.
Which IRCC Applications This Applies To
Any IRCC application involving a foreign-language document, most commonly Canadian citizenship applications, permanent residence and Express Entry, spousal or family sponsorship, study permits, and work permits.
Pricing
Certified translation with the notarized affidavit included is priced the same as our standard certified translation rate; see Certified Translation and Pricing for details.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions.
What applicants ask before ordering a translation for IRCC.
What does IRCC actually require for a document that isn’t in English or French?
It must be translated, and the translation must be accompanied by either: (1) proof the translator is a certified member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial translators’ and interpreters’ association, in which case no affidavit is needed, or (2) if the translator isn’t such a certified member, a sworn affidavit from the translator attesting the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original, sworn before a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country where the translator lives. You’ll typically also need to submit a certified copy of the original document alongside the translation.
Does IRCC require a notarized translation?
Not exactly, but functionally, yes, if your translator isn’t a certified member of a Canadian provincial or territorial translators’ association. In that case, the affidavit has to be sworn before a commissioner authorized to administer oaths, which in practice means notarization. We handle this for you: your translation includes a notarized affidavit as standard, not an extra step you have to arrange separately.
Are your translators certified members of a Canadian provincial translators’ association?
Not as a general claim we make for every translator. Instead, every IRCC translation we deliver includes a sworn, notarized affidavit, which IRCC accepts from any translator regardless of Canadian certification, so you’re covered either way.
Can a family member or friend translate my documents for IRCC instead?
No. IRCC does not accept translations done by family members, under any circumstances, regardless of certification or an affidavit. The translator has to be an independent third party.
Do I need anything besides the translation itself?
Yes, typically a certified copy of the original foreign-language document as well, separate from the translation. That certification is usually arranged locally (for example, by a lawyer, notary, or other authorized official where you live) rather than something we provide, since it certifies the original document, not our translation of it.
What happens if IRCC rejects my translation?
If a translation we delivered is rejected specifically for an accuracy issue, we’ll correct it at no additional cost, the same commitment behind our 100% Acceptance Guarantee.
How fast can I get an IRCC-ready translation?
Standard turnaround is 24-48 hours, with rush and same-day options available if your application deadline is close. See our Rush & Same-Day Translation page for details.
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