Health insurance glossary
Certified translator
Plain-English definition
For IRCC applications, a certified translator is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada. Any document not in English or French has to be submitted with a translation. A certified translator seals or stamps the translation with a membership number IRCC can verify; an uncertified translator's work also needs a sworn affidavit.
By the HealthRate editorial desk
Where this applies: IRCC applications, including the super visa (federal).
How it works
IRCC states: “If any document is not in English or French, you must provide a translation along with the document in the original language.” The original and the translation are submitted together.
A certified translator “will seal or stamp the translated document”, and the seal or stamp has a membership number IRCC can verify. No affidavit is needed in that case.
An uncertified translator must be fluent in both languages, cannot be the applicant or a close relative, and must provide an affidavit. Either way, the translation has to cover all the text on the original, including letterhead, fine print and stamps, and include the date it was done.
Why it matters
A translation that is not packaged the way IRCC requires can send an otherwise complete file back. Choosing the certified or uncertified route early avoids a last-minute search for a notary.