What IRCC expects from a translation
For most federal immigration applications, certified translation is enough. What matters is a complete package: original-language document, translation and the translator’s statement.
Short answer
IRCC accepts certified translation for common immigration documents.
A certified translator is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators’ organization in Canada. If the translator is not certified, IRCC asks for an affidavit sworn before a notary public or a commissioner of oaths.
Documents that usually follow this route
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates and divorce judgments
- Police certificates
- Diplomas and transcripts
- Passport stamps and supporting records
What matters more than the certification level
- Every page is translated, seals and stamps included.
- The scan is clear and readable.
- The original-language document goes with the translation.
- Names follow the passport spelling.
When to check more carefully
If your file also goes through Quebec (MIFI) or a professional order, the requirements change: you then need a recognized translator, for example an OTTIAQ member.
Do not mix IRCC and MIFI requirements: they are two different routes.
Common mistake
Assuming that every immigration file needs a notarized translation. For an ordinary IRCC case it is often unnecessary.
Best next step
Write “IRCC” in the order form and upload every page. We confirm the translation type, price and turnaround before payment.