Document Translation Requirements in Canada
Official bodies in Canada generally require a certified translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.
Canada follows a certified-translation standard: a document not in English or French needs a certified translation by a translator certified by a Canadian provincial or territorial association, or one accompanied by an affidavit. IRCC, universities, and credential evaluators accept this. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 11 January 2024, so a Canadian document used abroad is now apostilled by Global Affairs Canada or the issuing province — replacing the old authentication-and-legalization process.
Canada requirements at a glance
| Translation standard | Certified translation |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | Translator certified by a provincial or territorial professional association |
| Apostille | No (unless the document will be used outside Canada) |
| Apostille authority | Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan apostille documents issued or notarized in their province; Global Affairs Canada handles the remaining provinces, the territories, and federal documents. |
| Accepted languages | English or French |
| Responsible authority | Global Affairs Canada / Provincial authorities (for apostilles issued in Canada) |
Who can translate documents for use in Canada?
What makes a translation official in Canada?
Restrictions
How does Canada treat documents from abroad?
Legal basis
Apostille & legalization for Canada
Canada is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 2024), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.
Documents from Canada
Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan apostille documents issued or notarized in their province; Global Affairs Canada handles the remaining provinces, the territories, and federal documents.The Convention entered into force for Canada on 11 January 2024, replacing the previous authentication and consular legalization process.
U.S. documents going to Canada
A U.S. document going to Canada is apostilled in the United States — the state Secretary of State, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — and since 11 January 2024 Canada accepts the apostille in place of consular legalization.
The apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the apostille certificate is translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a translation with e-apostille.
How to get a Canada document translation accepted
- 1
Get a certified translation of any document not in English or French
IRCC accepts a translation by a certified translator, or a translation accompanied by an affidavit if the translator is not a member of a provincial association.
- 2
Include the certification or affidavit
The translator's stamp and certification, or a sworn affidavit, must accompany the translation.
- 3
Submit the original plus the certified translation
File them with IRCC, the credential evaluator (WES/ECE), or the university.
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Submitting foreign documents in Canada?
Authorities in Canada accept certified English translations with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. We translate from 60+ languages with delivery in 24–48 hours.
Sending U.S. documents to Canada?
U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in Canada — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.
Popular certified translations
The document types we certify most often — each with its own pricing and requirements page.
Why Canada document translations get rejected
The mistakes we see most often on Canadian documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.
Translation without the required certification or affidavit
IRCC requires either a certified translator's stamp or a sworn affidavit; a bare translation with neither is returned.
Non-official-language parts of a bilingual document skipped
Even a partly-French Canadian document needs the parts not in English or French translated; leaving them out makes the translation incomplete.
Uncertified translator used without an affidavit
If the translator is not certified by a provincial or territorial association, IRCC requires an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation.
Cost & turnaround
A one-page certificate is priced as a single page; multi-page transcripts and records are priced by their page count. Standard delivery is 24–48 hours, with notarization and e-apostille available as add-ons. See full pricing.
Canada translation requirements — FAQ
Does IRCC accept a certified translation?
Yes. IRCC accepts a translation by a translator certified by a Canadian provincial or territorial association, or a translation accompanied by an affidavit if the translator is not certified.
certified translation basicsWhat is the IRCC affidavit requirement?
If the translator is not a certified member of a provincial or territorial association, IRCC requires an affidavit — a statement sworn before a commissioner of oaths — confirming the translation's accuracy and the translator's competence.
what a certified translation isDid Canada join the Hague Apostille Convention?
Yes. The Apostille Convention entered into force for Canada on 11 January 2024. Canadian public documents used abroad are now apostilled by Global Affairs Canada or the issuing province, replacing authentication and consular legalization.
how apostilles workDoes WES or ECE accept our translations for a Canadian ECA?
Yes. WES and ECE accept a certified English translation submitted with the original transcript and diploma. The translation preserves the grading scale so the evaluator can map credits.
WES-accepted translationWhich languages do you translate for an IRCC application?
We translate from 60+ languages into English, each with a signed certification, for documents going to IRCC, Canadian universities, and credential evaluators.
languages we translateHow much does a certified translation for Canada cost?
Pricing is per page. A one-page certificate is a single page; multi-page transcripts are priced by page count. Notarization and e-apostille are optional add-ons.
see live pricingCan I translate my own documents for IRCC?
No. IRCC does not accept translations by the applicant or their family members. The translation must be done by an independent translator and certified, or accompanied by an affidavit.
what a certified translation isRequirements in related countries
Neighbors and countries with a similar translation standard.
Sources
- Translation of documents — IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Canada joins the Apostille ConventionGlobal Affairs Canada
- Apostille Convention — specialised sectionHague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.
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