Does IRCC require certified translation for citizenship applications?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires certified translations for all documents submitted with your citizenship application (Form CIT 0002) that are not in English or French.
This requirement is outlined in the CIT 0007 Document Checklist and other official IRCC guidelines. To be accepted, your translation must meet the following criteria:
Completed by a qualified translator who is fluent in English or French and the original language
Preferably done by a certified Canadian translator who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators’ association.
Include a certificate of accuracy, along with the translator’s details and official seal (where applicable)
If the translator is not certified in Canada, they must provide a sworn affidavit confirming their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
Which documents need a certified translation for Canadian citizenship?
What are IRCC's translation requirements for citizenship?
When submitting translated documents for a Canadian citizenship application, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires the following:
Complete (word-for-word) translation
All content must be translated exactly as it appears in the original document. This includes document titles, issuing authorities, reference numbers, stamps, seals, and handwritten notes. IRCC does not accept summaries, paraphrased versions, or partial translations.
Certified translator
Translations should be completed by a certified translator who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators’ association in Canada. Examples include:
Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO)
Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ)
Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC)
These associations are part of the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters (CTTIC).
Certificate of accuracy
Each translation must include a signed certificate of accuracy stating the translator’s name, signature, date, contact details, and a declaration that the translation is complete and accurate.
Affidavit (if translator is not certified in Canada)
If the translator is not a certified member of a Canadian association, they must provide a sworn affidavit. This must be signed before a notary public or commissioner of oaths and confirm both their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation.
Original document or certified copy
You must submit the original document (or a certified true copy) along with the translation. This allows IRCC to verify the translation against the source document.
Prohibited translators
Translations must be completed by an independent third party. You cannot translate your own documents, and IRCC does not accept translations done by family members or friends, even if they are professional translators. Machine translations are also not accepted.
Certified translation vs. affidavit translation for citizenship – which do you need?
For Canadian citizenship applications, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada accepts both certified translations and affidavit-supported translations, depending on who completes the translation.
Certified translation
A certified translation is completed by a translator who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators’ association in Canada (affiliated with Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council), such as:
Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO)
Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ)
This type of translation includes a signed certificate of accuracy and, where applicable, the translator’s official seal.
Affidavit translation
If the translator is not certified in Canada, the translation must be accompanied by a sworn affidavit. In this case, the translator must declare their language proficiency and confirm that the translation is complete and accurate.
The affidavit must be sworn before:
A notary public (if completed outside Canada), or
A notary, commissioner of oaths, or commissioner for affidavits (if done in Canada)
How to get a certified translation for your citizenship application
Whether you use certified or affidavit-based translation, the process for translating your documents is similar. Here are the steps to follow.
Identify non-English or French documents: Check the CIT 0007 checklist and identify all documents that are not in English or French. Also confirm that all documents are valid, legible and have accurate information.
Get clear scans: Once you've identified the document to be translated, get scans of every page. Ensure that the stamps, seals, watermarks, and any handwritten text are captured clearly.
Translate document: Find a certified translator or translation company in Canada with experience in document translation for citizenship applications. Upload your documents, include any notes and pay fees to start the translation process.
Receive translation: Most translation services deliver documents via email in 23-72 hours. Your translation will include the translated documents, certificate of accuracy or affidavit, the translator’s credentials and stamp. Translayte delivers translation in PDF format via email or a physical copy via courier.
Submit documents: Submit both the original (or certified copy) and the translation to IRCC for your citizenship application. Ensure that the documents are in the correct format and contain no mistakes.
At Translayte, we offer certified translation services in Canada for the citizenship application process. We provide both certified and affidavit-based translations in 12-24 hours, with high acceptance rates from IRCC. Request a free quote to get an accurate translation accepted by IRCC
Common mistakes that get citizenship translations rejected by IRCC
If you are submitting a translation for a citizenship application in Canada, these are some mistakes you should avoid.
Having a bilingual friend or family member translate documents: According to IRCC requirements, your translation must be done by a neutral third party. Authorities will reject a translation prepared by a family member or friend, even if the translator is a professional.
Submitting a translation without the original: Ensure you submit both the original and the translation. Authorities need it to verify information and will not accept your application if the original is missing.
Using an uncertified translator without an affidavit: If your translator is not a member of a Canadian provincial association, they must provide an affidavit. This requirement is mandatory, and the authorities will reject any translation from an uncertified translator without the affidavit.
Partial or summarised translations: Your translation must capture every element of the source document. This means you cannot exclude pages, headers, footers, stamps, dates, registration numbers, or margin notes.
How much does certified translation cost for a citizenship application?
Certified translation costs for citizenship applications in Canada range from $30 to $100 per page. However, the total cost will depend on language pair, complexity, volume, delivery timeline and additional services. For example, if you need notarised translation or apostille services, you can expect to pay an additional $50-$100 per document. Urgent delivery also incurs an additional 50% of the original translation cost.
Translate’s cost of translation services starts from $31.75 per page, delivered in 12-24 hours, and is accepted by IRCC. We also have a transparent pricing system, allowing you to check prices before uploading documents or placing your order. Need accurate certified translations for the Canadian citizenship application process? Request a free quote for accurate document translation in 12-24 hours with no hidden charges.
