Submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires certified translations of key documents. Here’s exactly what IRCC expects — and how to avoid costly rejections.
When you submit an immigration application in Canada, the stakes are high. A rejected document doesn’t just cost you time — it can delay your application by weeks, or worse, result in a refusal. One of the most common reasons for document rejection is an improperly certified translation.
Understanding exactly what IRCC requires — and ensuring your translator meets those standards — is the single most important step you can take before submitting.
What IRCC Requires from a Certified Translation
IRCC does not accept machine translations, bilingual friends, or even professional translators who lack proper credentials. Here is what the agency formally requires:
- The translation must be accompanied by the original document or a notarized copy.
- The translator must provide a signed certification attesting to the accuracy of the translation.
- The certification must include the translator’s full name, contact information, and professional credentials.
- The translator must be a member of a recognized professional association in Canada — such as OTTIAQ (Quebec), ATIO (Ontario), or STIBC (British Columbia). If no certified translator is available, IRCC also accepts translations by a non-certified translator, provided they are accompanied by a sworn affidavit before a notary public or commissioner of oaths.
Which Documents Need to Be Translated?
Almost every document in your immigration package that is not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. The most commonly required documents include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Educational diplomas and academic transcripts
- Police certificates and criminal background records
- Medical examination reports (when issued in a foreign language)
- Passport pages (biographical information and stamps)
The OTTIAQ Standard: Why It Matters
In Canada, OTTIAQ (Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec), ATIO (Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario), and STIBC (Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia) are the main professional bodies whose members are widely recognized by IRCC. Certification by these bodies means the translator has passed rigorous exams, adheres to a professional code of ethics, and carries professional liability insurance.
As an OTTIAQ-certified translator (No. 34551), every certified translation I produce includes a signed declaration attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation, along with my full credentials — so IRCC receives exactly what they need.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
After years of working with immigration applicants, I’ve seen the same errors come up repeatedly:
- Using a bilingual acquaintance. However fluent, a non-certified translator’s work is not acceptable to IRCC.
- Relying on Google Translate or DeepL. Machine translations are not certified and are never accepted.
- Submitting only the translation without the original. IRCC always requires both documents together.
- Working with a translator not affiliated with a recognized Canadian body. Professional membership is a formal requirement, not a preference.
What to Do Next
If you are preparing an immigration application, contact me before your submission deadline. I provide a free quote within 2 hours, handle your documents with strict confidentiality, and deliver translations with the certification statement IRCC requires.
Do not leave this to chance. A single rejected document can cost you weeks — and a reliable certified translation costs far less than the consequences of a delay.
