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Confused about who can translate

Sep 6, 2023
6
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I am applying for spousal sponsorship and am confused by the statement, "If the translation is not provided by a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada, include an affidavit from the person who completed the translation."

My lawyer says it doesn't need to be a certified translator, as long as the translator signs the affidavit. However, if it doesn't have to be a certified translator, what kind of translator will qualify for the job? Are there any requirements? Can I translate my own documents and then sign an affidavit myself? Or who else is eligible to translate?
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,691
9,182
I am applying for spousal sponsorship and am confused by the statement, "If the translation is not provided by a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada, include an affidavit from the person who completed the translation."

My lawyer says it doesn't need to be a certified translator, as long as the translator signs the affidavit. However, if it doesn't have to be a certified translator, what kind of translator will qualify for the job? Are there any requirements? Can I translate my own documents and then sign an affidavit myself? Or who else is eligible to translate?
Use a certified translator. And is your lawyer Canada based? Sounds like they need to be certified too.

That affidavit language is about foreign translators, basically.
 
Sep 6, 2023
6
0
Use a certified translator. And is your lawyer Canada based? Sounds like they need to be certified too.

That affidavit language is about foreign translators, basically.
I am in Canada with a Canadian lawyer with years of experiences. She says we can either use a certified translator or a regular translator who, after translating my document, will sign the affidavit
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,691
9,182
I am in Canada with a Canadian lawyer with years of experiences. She says we can either use a certified translator or a regular translator who, after translating my document, will sign the affidavit
Never heard of such a thing as a 'regular translator.' 'Regular' translators are certified under the provincial authorities. Use one of them. There are many online and it doesn't cost that much. It can actually be a translator from any province. Anyone who is not a member of one of those is 'just a guy' as the internet calls it, as far as translating goes.

Honestly, why risk it being sent back for some small savings (at best)?

My opinion only, but I question your lawyer's judgment on this. Penny wise and pound foolish.

(That's if I even understand what he's talking about - or you're talking about - members of the provincial organizations are precisely what is meant by 'certified translators' in the Canadian context.)

Don't waste time on this: go to one of the provincial bodies' websites and find a proper translator. Here's the one for Ontario: https://atio.on.ca/

(If you just search on internet, then just make sure they are a member of one of those provincial bodies)
 
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