Translation Services
Certified translations for the apostille process are often required when your documents include languages other than English or French. Translations may also be required in the destination country. Our friendly experts can help you determine if your documents need to be translated and provide you with the certified translation. Get in touch to find out more about our translation services.
What are Certified Translations?
Certified translations are translations that have been done by a translator with the appropriate certification. A certified translator will translate the original document, stamp the translation with their seal, and add an affidavit to certify the translation. In Canada, certification of translators is done at the provincial level, and each province has its own separate certification body. You may find a translator in your province by using the directory on the provincial certification website.
Do I need to have my documents translated?
Translations for Document Apostille
Global Affairs Canada and some of the provincial apostille offices require documents that are not written in English or French to be translated into one of these languages by a Canadian certified translator before the documents are apostilled. This also applies to documents that are partially in English or French and also partially in another language, what is referred to as “dual language”.
Translations for Document Legalization
Each embassy and consulate sets its own requirements regarding translations. Some require the translation of documents that are not in their country’s official language, some require the translation of specific types of documents, and some don’t require any translations. Contact our friendly staff to determine what translation requirements apply to your situation.
Global Recognition, Local Expertise: Your Documents, Validated Everywhere
From apostilles to attestations, our specialized services ensure global recognition for your documents. We are your trusted partner in Canadian document apostille, handling everything from authentication to legalization, translation, and notarization. Whatever term you have heard – legalization, ratification, and more – we bring clarity and expertise to each step, so your documents make the impact they deserve anywhere in the world.
We are here to help you. Contact us for your free consultation – we will explain your options and answer your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to the most common questions we get about translations services.
-
A certified translation is a translation prepared by a translator who is certified with the appropriate authority in a specific language combination. Most provinces and territories in Canada have an association of translators and interpreters. To gain their certification, the translator will need to pass one or more tests to prove their ability and skill.
We can help you find a certified translator or obtain a certified translation on your behalf. Contact an IDC expert for more information.
-
A certified translator can provide an official and accurate translation of a document from a specific language to another language. A Canadian certified translator will have applied and passed the tests to become certified with a specific provincial or territorial association of translators and interpreters.
In most cases, translations must be prepared by a Canadian Certified Translator to meet the criteria of the apostille office and most diplomatic missions.
Contact our friendly staff to find out more about how we can help with the translation of your documents.
-
Most Canadian provinces and territories have an association of certified translators and interpreters.
Below are the known and recognized associations across Canada:
- Alberta – ATIA
- British Colombia – STIBC
- Manitoba – ATIM
- Ontario – ATIO
- Quebec – OTTIAQ
- Saskatchewan – ATIS
- New Brunswick – CTINB
- Nova Scotia – ATINE
- Prince Edward Island – CTIC
- Newfoundland and Labrador – CTIC
- Nunavut – CTIC
- Northwest Territories – CTIC
If you have more questions or want assistance with the process, contact us today!
-
Global Affairs Canada will apostille an official document that is written in English or French. If your document contains a foreign language, it will need to be certified by a Canadian certified translator.
If the document is completely written in a foreign language, you will need to provide a certified English or French translation. The translation should be made by a Canadian certified translator in order for it to be accepted.
We can obtain the certified translation on your behalf. Speak to one of our experts to find out more.
-
The provincial apostille offices will apostille an official document that is written in English or French. If your document contains a foreign language, it will likely need to be certified by a Canadian certified translator.
If the document contains a foreign language, you will likely need to provide a certified English or French translation. The translation should be made by a Canadian certified translator in order for it to be accepted.
Each provincial apostille office has its own requirements regarding translations. Therefore, we suggest you do your research in advance.
We can obtain a certified translation on your behalf. Speak to one of our experts to find out more.
-
There are circumstances where a certified translation is required and must be submitted along with the original for legalization. This requirement can depend on the purpose of the document or the supporting document requirements of the diplomatic mission in question.
A few of the apostille offices across Canada also have a requirement that any document containing a foreign language must be certified by a Canadian Certified Translator.
It may also be the recipient abroad who has asked you to provide a certified translation along with the apostilled (or legalized) document.
We would be happy to help you find a certified translator or handle the translation as a part of our services. Contact us for your free consultation.
-
Yes, if you are using the services of IDC to manage the apostille process, you can check the progress of your documents. Within our proprietary system, we have built in a progress tracker that allows you to monitor the progress of your documents through every stage of the process. By logging in to your workform, you will be able to see which steps have been completed and what will be completed next.
In addition to the progress module that allows you to check the status of your document request, you will also be personally notified by our expert staff when your documents arrive at our office, whether we require any additional documents or information, when your documents have been completed, and finally when they have been shipped to the final destination. It is important to us that you know exactly what is happening with your important documents and when to expect them to be safely returned.
Whether you still have questions, or you want to get started with our services, we encourage you to contact our office. Call us toll-free at 1-888-433-1011, or send us an online enquiry.
Looking for More Information?
We have a wealth of information for you about the document apostille process.
View our FAQs
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about the document apostille process and the services we offer.
In-Depth Articles
We have developed a large and growing collection of informative articles about the apostille process and our services.
Additional Resources
We have a wealth of information for you about apostille, authentication, and legalization (also called attestation) services.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about our services or about the apostille process, we welcome you to contact us. Our friendly experts are here to help – no pressure and no obligation.
