Certified Translation in Canada: Why you need it

In Canada, certified translation in Canada is essential when submitting documents for immigration, legal or educational purposes, as it ensures official recognition and accuracy. Canadian authorities such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), universities and licensing offices often require translations that are not only accurate, but also officially certified. 

Certified Translation in Canada: What it means

In Canada, certified translation in Canada is a translated document that includes a signed declaration from a certified translator confirming that the translation is accurate and complete. Only translators accredited by Canadian translator associations can issue this type of certification. Many Canadian institutions including IRCC, courts, universities and regulatory bodies, require a certified translation for documents to be accepted.

Therefore certified translators play a key role in ensuring that important documents written in other languages are officially recognized and accepted by institutions across Canada.

Certified Translation in Canada: Five document requirements for Canadian immigration

Canadian immigration authorities, such as IRCC, require all documents not written in English or French to be accompanied by a certified translation. Below are the five most common documents that require this service:

1. Birth, marriage, or divorce certificates – These personal status documents are required to verify identity, family relationships or marital history.
2. Immigration documents – Any visas, permits or immigration-related paperwork issued by other countries must be translated to support your Canadian Permanent Residence (PR) or citizenship application.
3. Academic diplomas and transcripts – Whether you are applying for a study permit or an immigration program that assesses your level of education (such as Express Entry), certified translations of your academic records are a must.
4. Court orders and legal documents – Legal documents such as custody agreements, adoption records and court rulings must be submitted in English or French via certified translation.
5. Employment applications and professional licensing documents – If you’re applying for a job or a regulated licence (e.g. in healthcare, engineering or education), you may be required to provide translated proof of work experience, references and credentials.

Certified Translation in Canada: Who can provide it?

Only qualified professionals can complete certified translations for Canadian institutions to accept them. In Canada, this means:

• Certified translators who are members of provincial associations such as ATIO, STIBC, OTTIAQ, or CTINB.
• Translation agencies such as LingoStar, which collaborate with certified professionals and issue official certificates of accuracy.

What’s included in a certified translation package

A professionally certified translation package usually includes:

• A copy of the original document
• The translated version in English or French
• A declaration of accuracy, signed by the certified translator     
• The certified translator’s name, certification number, signature, and official stamp

With this package, institutions can verify the translator’s qualifications and confirm that the translation remains accurate and unaltered.

Want to learn more? Visit our Certified Translator Services Canada page.

How to get a certified translation from LingoStar

Getting started is easy with LingoStar:

1. Scan or photograph your original documents clearly.
2. Request a quote via our online form: Get a Quote.
3. Our team matches your request with a certified translator.
4. You receive the certified translation by email or in hard copy—depending on your preference.

Moreover, we ensure that your translations meet Canadian legal and government standards.

How we work at LingoStar 

At LingoStar, we make document translation easy and reliable. If you need a certified translation for immigration, educational or legal purposes, our professional translators will ensure your documents are accurate and officially accepted.

We provide certified and official translation services across Canada and can help you meet all the required standards.

• Learn more in our Certified Translation FAQs
• Not sure about the difference between a certified and an official translation? Check our Official Translation FAQs

Do you have something that needs translating or would you like to know more about our services? Call us on +1-604-629-8420 or email us at info@lingo-star.com. Ask us for a free translation quote—we’re here to help!

Expand your business globally

Do you need more than a certified translation? If you’re taking your business international, multilingual translation is essential.

Donwload our e-book How to Expand Your Online Business – A Beginner’s Guide to Multilingual Website Translation.

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