Explore country-specific rules for recognising foreign documents for official use.
This map shows when certified or sworn translations, apostilles, or legalisation are required for official use.
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Requirement: Certified
| Apostille required | No (unless the document will be used outside Canada) |
|---|---|
| Translation type required | Certified translation by a recognised translator |
| Who can translate | Translator certified by a provincial or territorial professional association |
| Official translator registry | No national registry (provincial/territorial associations regulate certification) |
| Accepted languages | English or French |
| Legalisation authority | Global Affairs Canada / Provincial authorities (for apostilles issued in Canada) |
| Official source | Government of Canada – Certified Translations Guidance |
Important: Canada is a federal country. Translation requirements are governed federally (e.g., IRCC), but translator certification is regulated at provincial and territorial level.
Certified translation for IRCC (Canada)Translations submitted to Canadian immigration authorities (IRCC) must be completed by a certified translator. Within Canada, this means a translator who is a member in good standing of a recognised provincial or territorial translation association.
If the translation is completed outside Canada, the translator must be officially recognised in that country.
A certified translation must include:
If a certified translator is not available, the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit sworn before a notary public or commissioner of oaths, confirming that the translation is accurate.
The applicant, their family members, or their representative cannot translate the documents. This includes parents, siblings, spouses, partners, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, or guardians.
Documents not issued in English or French must be translated into one of Canada’s official languages.
If Canadian-issued documents are intended for use abroad, they may require an apostille under the Hague Convention, issued by the relevant Canadian authority.
Immigration translation requirements are administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Translator certification is regulated at provincial and territorial level by recognised professional bodies.
