Inquiry regarding Certified Copies for translated documents

[Karenkl]

Hi Everyone!

I have already all necessary documents for Express Entry, however I noticed the term "certified copies" for translated documents. I don't understand, if we have to scan the documents, do we really need certified copies? I mean, it's not that I'm handing over the original documents to them, or can I just scan the originals, together with the certified translations? I wonder if anyone did that and got the residence anyway.
Cheers!

 

[igenena]

As far as I understood it.

Original document : you're good to go, scan it.
Photocopy of an original document : you should certify before scanning

 

[uppperkut]

A certified copy is a copy of the original that has the translator's stamp on it. It ensures that it's the same document he/she translated. They usually refer to it in their affidavit. So for example:

- Page 1, would be the affidavit mentioning page 2 and 3 and what they contain
- Page 2, contains the translation
- Page 3, contains the certified copy

 

[Karenkl]

So basically I don't scan the original document, only the certified copy...and I give the translator the certified copy to translate and no the original one? Is that right? Thanks!!

 

[Gini]

So basically I don't scan the original document, only the certified copy...and I give the translator the certified copy to translate and no the original one? Is that right? Thanks!!

Maybe I am reading this wrong, but what I did, let's say for a police certificate that is not in English or French, I have scanned the original police certificate and uploaded that. I gave the translator the original police certificate, which she translated. Then I have an original translation, which I scanned and uploaded. Does that make sense?

I didn't get a certified copy of anything, I mean, we are not submitting physical copies...so just scanning the original is fine.

 

[uppperkut]

So basically I don't scan the original document, only the certified copy...and I give the translator the certified copy to translate and no the original one? Is that right? Thanks!!

No you need to give the translator the original of course. He/she will make a photocopy and stamp it, in addition to the translation and affidavit.

When you are uploading, upload the original, the translation, the affidavit and the certified copy.

 

[Karenkl]

Maybe I am reading this wrong, but what I did, let's say for a police certificate that is not in English or French, I have scanned the original police certificate and uploaded that. I gave the translator the original police certificate, which she translated. Then I have an original translation, which I scanned and uploaded. Does that make sense?

I didn't get a certified copy of anything, I mean, we are not submitting physical copies...so just scanning the original is fine.

That's what I think too...but I read everywhere that we need certified copies so notarized copies of the originals. Did you get the visa? I'm not sure if my application will be rejected if I only submit the originals, translations and affidavit without the certified copies :/

 

[Karenkl]

No you need to give the translator the original of course. He/she will make a photocopy and stamp it, in addition to the translation and affidavit.

When you are uploading, upload the original, the translation, the affidavit and the certified copy.

You mean the translator will make the certified copy of the original? Shouldn't a notary do that? Well I'm scanning everything so I would prefer to just upload the original, but I have read everywhere that I need to scan a certified copy and that doesn't make sence if everything is anyway scanned.

 

[uppperkut]

You mean the translator will make the certified copy of the original? Shouldn't a notary do that? Well I'm scanning everything so I would prefer to just upload the original, but I have read everywhere that I need to scan a certified copy and that doesn't make sence if everything is anyway scanned.

No need to notarize the copy.

Search the forum and you'll read several replies mentioning the same thing about the certified copy. It's the translator that needs to do it - as it's a proof that they're translating that document, and nothing else.

If you have everything, upload everything - including the original.

 

[Gini]

That's what I think too...but I read everywhere that we need certified copies so notarized copies of the originals. Did you get the visa? I'm not sure if my application will be rejected if I only submit the originals, translations and affidavit without the certified copies :/

I haven't yet...but I think they would have said something by now if it had been an issue. I did not upload copies (certified or otherwise) of anything...I just scanned the original of everything. I just asked my friend who already got PPR, she also just scanned the originals as well (including the original translation and the original untranslated document). But if you have everything, then I agree with upperkut, for sure it can't hurt to just upload all of it. Even though I find it hard to see what the point is of uploading a certified copy of something when you have the original and are not submitting the physical certified copy to someone. I guess the only point it proves is that at the time it was certified, you were in possession of the original. But it still doesn't say anything about the authenticity of the original, given that a notary would only confirm that the copy is in fact a copy of the original document presented, but doesn't confirm anything about the authenticity of that original document (nor would that notary be necessarily competent to confirm authenticity if the original document was issued by another country for example (i.e. a notary in the Philippines would not know what a police certificate from Malta would look like, for example), and surely uploading the original would make it easier for CIC to establish authenticity and if they have doubts, they could call you for interview and make you present the original). But anyhow, I digress.

 

[Gini]

And fyi...I don't think you said which document you are referring to in regards to submitting a certified copy, but I just went back into my submitted application and checked the instructions for police certificates, and it says this:

Police certificates need to be a scan of the original police certificate(s) in color. Certified true copies, unauthorized copies, or visibly altered police certificates are unacceptable and will result in the application being rejected as incomplete.

I also checked all the others, education, employment, marriage certificate and there is no mention of submitting a certified copy. So scanning the original is definitely the way to go I would say (and hassle free and cheaper).

 

[apara]

Hi Gini...could you please let me know what should be the content of the affidavit? And where are you from? I am in India and most of the translators that i searched for in google refuse to give an affidavit...still searching ..

 

[Gini]

Hi Gini...could you please let me know what should be the content of the affidavit? And where are you from? I am in India and most of the translators that i searched for in google refuse to give an affidavit...still searching ..

Sorry, no idea about affidavit, I think it was upperkut who mentioned that.

 

[apara]

Ohh okies..thanks

 

[uppperkut]

Ohh okies..thanks

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=040&top=4

Search Google for examples. I wouldn't go to a translator who has no idea what an affidavit is.