Translation for Canadian Immigration (IRCC)
Translations for Canadian immigration and citizenship applications prepared from the US, using IRCC's affidavit route for translators who are not Canadian-certified.
Reviewed by Murat Saymaz, Global Certified Translations · Facts checked 4 November 2026
The short answer
IRCC accepts a translation by a translator certified by a Canadian provincial or territorial association, or by any other translator if it comes with an affidavit, sworn before a notary or equivalent official, confirming the translation is accurate and the translator's language ability. From the US, the affidavit route is the one that applies. Include a copy of the original document.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Translations by a certified translator (member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial association) are accepted as they are. | IRCC, Translation of supporting documents |
| Translations by a translator who is not certified must be accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the translator before an authorized person, confirming accuracy and the translator's language proficiency. | IRCC, Translation of supporting documents |
| Outside Canada, the affidavit is sworn before a notary public or the local equivalent authorized to administer oaths. | IRCC, Translation of supporting documents |
| Citizenship applications follow the same standard for documents not in English or French. | IRCC, Citizenship applications: translation of documents |
| In Ontario, certified translators are members of ATIO; other provinces have their own associations. | Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) |
Two routes, and which one we use
Canada does not accept just any translation. IRCC wants either a translation by a translator certified by a Canadian provincial or territorial association (such as ATIO in Ontario or OTTIAQ in Quebec), or a translation by another translator accompanied by an affidavit. We are a US company, and our translators are not members of a Canadian association, so our translations for IRCC use the affidavit route: the translator swears before a notary public that the translation is accurate and that they are proficient in both languages. That is the route IRCC describes for translations made outside Canada.
What you receive
- The translation of each document.
- A translator's affidavit, sworn and signed before a New Jersey notary public, identifying the document and the languages and stating accuracy and proficiency.
- A copy of the original-language document, attached as IRCC requires the translation to be submitted with the original or a certified copy of it.
Notarization is $19 per document on top of the translation price. If you upload documents online, scan the translation, affidavit and original copy together as one file per document.
Translations into English or French
IRCC accepts documents in English or French. If you are applying in English, translate into English; Quebec Skilled Worker and some provincial nominee applications have their own language rules, so check the programme guide.
When a Canadian certified translator is required
Some provincial programmes, and some provincial bodies such as licensing regulators, accept only translations by translators certified in that province. If your programme guide says so, the affidavit route will not do, and you need a Canadian certified translator. Read your programme's document checklist before ordering; we will tell you if it rules us out.
Documents commonly translated
Birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, diplomas and transcripts (often also needed for an Educational Credential Assessment), employment letters, and identity documents.
Educational Credential Assessments
Many economic immigration applicants also need an Educational Credential Assessment from an IRCC-designated organisation, such as WES Canada. The ECA organisation sets its own translation rules, which can differ from IRCC's; WES, for example, wants word-for-word translations from the institution or a certified translation service. Check the ECA organisation's instructions separately from IRCC's.
What we don't do
We are not members of a Canadian translators' association and do not provide Canadian certified translations. We do not advise on Canadian immigration programmes.
Documents we translate for this
Birth Certificate translation
Certified birth certificate translation accepted by USCIS, courts and universities, with the certificate of accuracy included.
Police Certificate translation
Certified translation of FBI background checks for use abroad, and of foreign police certificates for USCIS and the NVC.
Diploma translation
Certified diploma and degree certificate translation for credential evaluation, licensing boards, employers and use abroad.
Academic Transcripts translation
Certified transcript translation for credential evaluation, graduate admission and professional licensing.
Price
$39 for the first page (up to 250 words) into English, $49 into any other language, then $0.116 per additional word. Each file is priced on its own. The signed certificate of accuracy is included.
Full pricingTurnaround
24 hours standard for most documents. Expedited service is +50% for 6–8 hours and +100% for 1–3 hours. Large files are quoted with a delivery date before you pay.
Questions
Can you translate into French for IRCC?
Ask us about the language pair. IRCC accepts English or French; most applicants applying in English translate into English.
Do police certificates need translating for Canada?
If they are not in English or French, yes, with the same certified-or-affidavit rule as other documents.
Do IRCC translations need the original document attached?
Submit the translation with a copy of the original-language document, as IRCC instructs. We attach a copy of the original to each translation.
How much does the affidavit add?
Notarization is $19 per document, on top of the translation price.
Does IRCC accept translations from the US?
Yes, through the affidavit route: a translation with the translator's affidavit sworn before a notary, confirming accuracy and language proficiency.
Can I translate my own documents for IRCC?
No. Use an independent translator. Self-translations are not accepted.
Does every document need its own affidavit?
We prepare one affidavit per translated document, so each document can be uploaded or filed on its own.
Related
Prepared by Global Certified Translations, Edgewater, NJ. Translations are signed by a State Court Certified Translator. This page explains translation requirements; it is not legal advice.
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