How to Get Birth Certificate Translation for IRCC Applications

What is a certified birth certificate translation?

A certified birth certificate translation is a word-for-word translation of your birth certificate into English or French, accompanied by a signed certificate of translation accuracy. 

It differs from a certified birth certificate, which is a certified copy issued by your province's or territory's vital statistics office. This is a copy of the original document, not a translation. 

The certified translation must include your full name, exactly as it appears, your date and place of birth, your parents’ names, the registration or certificate number, any seals, stamps, signatures, or handwritten annotations, and every element in the original. 

For an IRCC application, summaries, abstracts, and machine translations (including AI tools like Google Translate) are not accepted, no matter how accurate they are. 

IRCC and most Canadian government, legal, and immigration bodies require a qualified human translator to translate the full document. This standard applies to other immigration authorities, institutions, embassies, and courts in other countries.

Why does IRCC require a certified birth certificate translation?

IRCC uses your birth certificate to confirm your identity, your relationship to family members named on the application, and your citizenship or nationality. If the document isn't translated, or the translation doesn't meet IRCC standards, the officer cannot verify any of these. 

Next, an untranslated birth certificate makes your application incomplete. Depending on the officer and the stage of processing, it may lead to three outcomes; 

• IRCC requests more documents (which pauses your file until you respond)

• Your processing time is pushed back while the request is outstanding, or

• Your application is rejected for failing to meet the document requirements.

If your application is rejected, the fee you paid is not refundable. You will need to reapply and pay again. Getting your translation right is always the best solution. 

IRCC requirements for a birth certificate translation

There are two ways to get a birth certificate translation for IRCC; 

• Certified translator route: A certified translator translates the document and provides a signed statement (and in most cases, an official stamp) confirming the translation is accurate and complete. 

• Affidavit route: A translator who isn’t certified translates the document, then swears an affidavit before a notary public or commissioner of oaths attesting to the translation’s accuracy. This route applies to translations done both in Canada and outside Canada, provided the affidavit meets the requirements below; 

The affidavit itself must include; 

• the translator’s declared proficiency in both languages,

• their professional credentials, 

• and be signed in front of and stamped or sealed by the notary public or commissioner of oaths. 

Regardless of route, the translator must not be connected to your application. This means you, your family member, or your immigration representative cannot translate your document, even if you have the required credentials. IRCC treats these documents as a conflict of interest. 

Along with the translation, you must submit either the original birth certificate or a certified true copy. If your certificate has text, stamps, or annotations on the back, translate them as well. 

Canadian certified translators are members of a provincial or terrri torial association, such as ATIO in Ontario, or OTTIAQ in Quebec. See the full list of certified translators by province.

Outside Canada, use a translator recognised by the equivalent professional body in your country of residence, for example, a NAATI-certified translator in Australia.

How to get your birth certificate translated for IRCC

1. Identify a Certified Translator: Find a translator experienced in translating birth certificates for IRCC and holding the relevant certification. Check reviews or ask for recommendations to ensure they're reliable and accurate. 

2. Submit Your Original Document: Submit a clear scan or photo of your original birth certificate or a certified copy. All four corners should be visible, and it should include all text, seals, and stamps to avoid translation inaccuracies. A blurry or partial scan is the most common cause of translation delays. 

3. Translation Process:  Your birth certificate translation is assigned to a professional translator who will translate all information while maintaining the original document’s format. 

4. Review the Translation: Ensure that your name, birth date, and other personal details are accurately translated and appear exactly as displayed on the original document.

5. Receive Certification: This certification typically includes the translator’s signature, the translation date, and a statement affirming that the translation is accurate and complete. The translator may also include their certification number and seal if applicable.

6. Final Verification: Before submitting the translated document with your IRCC application, verify that everything is in order. Double-check that the translation is attached to the original document or a certified copy. 

Cost of translating a birth certificate for IRCC

Certified birth certificate translation for IRCC starts at $54 CAD per page, with standard delivery in 24-48 hours. Most birth certificates are a single page, so for most applications, that’s the base price. The final price, however, depends on; 

• Page count: If the birth certificate is longer than one page, maybe due to an extra signature, stamp, or seal.  

• Affidavit route: If your translator isn’t certified and needs to swear an affidavit, this adds a small additional fee on top of the base price. 

• Rush turnaround: If you require your translation faster, it will add 50-100% extra to the standard price. 

For an exact price, upload your document today.

How Translayte handles IRCC birth certificate translations

Translayte offers certified translations of your documents by an accredited translator in Canada. Our certified translations include a signed and stamped certification statement by the translator and Translayte. Pricing begins at $54 CAD per page and is delivered in 12-24 hours.

Translayte’s translations are accepted by IRCC, Global Affairs Canada, Canadian universities, and provincial ministries. Order your certified translation today.