Certified Canadian Document Translation

DoVisa translates all types of Canadian documents including birth certificates (certificat de naissance), marriage certificates (certificat de mariage), death certificates (certificat de décès), driver's licences (permis de conduire), criminal record checks (vérification de casier judiciaire), academic transcripts and diplomas, immigration documents, corporate filings, court orders, medical records, and financial documents. We also translate foreign-language documents into English or French for submission to Canadian authorities such as IRCC, provincial vital statistics offices, and Canadian courts.

Yes, our certified translations are accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for all immigration and citizenship applications. IRCC requires that translations include the translator's name, signature, and a certification of accuracy. IRCC accepts translations by CTTIC-certified translators bearing their professional stamp, as well as translations accompanied by a sworn affidavit attesting to the translator's competency. DoVisa's certified translations satisfy both standards, and our current IRCC acceptance rate is 99.2% across all filings.

No. Canada is an officially bilingual country under the Official Languages Act. All federal agencies, including IRCC, accept documents in either English or French without translation. You only need a certified translation if your documents are in a language other than English or French. For provincial submissions, most provinces accept both official languages, though Quebec may require French-language documents for certain provincial proceedings under the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101).

Standard delivery is 4-6 business days for most document types. Single-page vital records such as birth and marriage certificates typically complete in 3-4 business days. Express processing in 2-3 business days is available for time-sensitive IRCC submissions. Rush 24-hour service is offered for urgent single-document requests. If you also require notarization, add 1 business day. Apostille processing through Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority typically adds 5-15 business days depending on the issuing office. We factor all steps into your delivery estimate so you know exactly when to expect your completed documents.

The Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC) is Canada's national umbrella organization for the translation profession. CTTIC administers the certified translator (C. Tran.) designation through rigorous examination, ensuring translators meet professional competency standards. In Quebec, the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ) serves as the regulatory professional order. IRCC recognizes translations by CTTIC and OTTIAQ-certified translators as meeting their certification requirements. While IRCC also accepts translations by non-certified translators when accompanied by a sworn affidavit, using a CTTIC-certified translator provides an additional layer of professional assurance.

DoVisa translates documents from over 100 language pairs into English or French for Canadian immigration purposes. Our most-requested languages for IRCC filings include Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Arabic, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, Farsi/Persian, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, and Japanese. These reflect Canada's most common immigrant source countries. We also handle less commonly requested languages with qualified translators available on request.

Notarization requirements depend on the purpose of your translation. IRCC does not require notarization for certified translations submitted with immigration applications — a certified translation with the translator's stamp and certification statement is sufficient. However, notarization may be required for Canadian court filings, some provincial government submissions, and as a prerequisite for apostille issuance. If your translated documents will be used internationally and require an apostille from Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority, notarization by a Canadian notary public (or a Quebec notaire) is a necessary step in the authentication chain. DoVisa provides notarized translations through our network of notaries across all provinces.

An apostille is a certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention that authenticates a document for use in another member country. Canada joined the Convention on January 11, 2024, and apostilles are now issued by six competent authorities: Global Affairs Canada for federal documents, and the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec for provincial documents. You need an apostille if your Canadian document (or its certified translation) will be used in another Hague Convention member country. The apostille eliminates the previous requirement for embassy legalization. DoVisa coordinates the complete apostille process, from notarization through submission to the appropriate competent authority.

DoVisa's certified translation pricing uses a per-page structure with volume discounts for larger orders. Pricing varies based on language pair, document complexity, and processing speed. Express and rush service options are available at additional rates for time-sensitive IRCC or court deadlines. Notarization and apostille processing are quoted separately, with apostille fees varying by competent authority. Upload your documents on our order page to receive an instant, detailed quote before translation begins — no hidden fees or surprise charges.

Yes, we regularly translate handwritten documents including older birth certificates, marriage registrations, personal correspondence, wills, and historical records. Many older Canadian vital records, particularly those from Quebec's parish registers (registres paroissiaux) and early provincial registries, contain handwritten entries in French cursive script. Our translators are experienced with historical Canadian handwriting styles in both English and French. For best results, provide the highest-quality scan possible at 300 DPI or higher. If any portion is illegible, our team will flag it and work with you to resolve ambiguities before completing the translation.

You will receive your certified translation as a high-resolution PDF delivered via email, including the translation, the translator's certification statement, and any applicable stamps or seals. For physical submissions to IRCC, courts, or apostille authorities, we ship original hard copies with wet-ink signatures and stamps via Canada Post Xpresspost or courier. International shipping is available for clients outside Canada. All translations follow a standardized format that matches what Canadian authorities expect to see, including proper identification of the source document, language pair, and translator credentials.

While the translation content itself is the same, IRCC and USCIS have different certification format requirements. IRCC requires the translator's stamp or seal and a certification statement, while USCIS requires a specific translator affidavit format under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). If you need the same document translated for both Canadian and US immigration purposes, DoVisa can provide dual-format certification — a single accurate translation with certification documents formatted for each agency. This is common for applicants with concurrent immigration processes or those who may file in both countries.