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affidavit for translation

doghouse

Star Member
May 9, 2011
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Category........
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Buffalo
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27 Sept 2011
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9 March 2012
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2 April 2012
Hi, I'm in the process of preparing my application now, and I'm getting really confused about requirements for translated documents.

My birth certificate is not in English and I got it translated at my local consulate office. The translation was notarized by the consulate office, saying that the document was translated at the consulate office. It was also stamped with the name and signature of the person and dated. Will that count as an affidavit?? The guide on cic says that any translated document needs an affidavit, and I'm not that clear what they mean by affidavit.

Also, the guide also asks for a certified copy of the original document. What is a certified copy? Is it a notarized copy of the original document? The thing is, the checklist doesn't even indicate that I need a certified copy or an affidavit... Thanks for your help!!

Here's what it says on the CIC guide:

Any document that is not in English or in French must be accompanied by:

* the English or French translation; and
* an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
* a certified copy of the original document.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document.
 

missmini

Champion Member
Oct 6, 2009
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Amman
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yeah i already complained abt that on the other thread :/ it really does not make sense....if it's a certified translator which in ur case is i think it's enough...u will not ask the notary from the consulate to come with u to swear in front of a judge or another notary....i don't think anyone would accept unless u know them personally

i think a certified copy is usually a photocopy of the same document with a notary stamp on it; i suppose the consulate gave u the translation and a copy of the original attached with the translation; that copy should also have the consulate stamp....

we need some more legal advice...i just used my logic :-\
 

wilson

VIP Member
Oct 11, 2008
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doghouse said:
Hi, I'm in the process of preparing my application now, and I'm getting really confused about requirements for translated documents.

My birth certificate is not in English and I got it translated at my local consulate office. The translation was notarized by the consulate office, saying that the document was translated at the consulate office. It was also stamped with the name and signature of the person and dated. Will that count as an affidavit?? The guide on cic says that any translated document needs an affidavit, and I'm not that clear what they mean by affidavit.

Also, the guide also asks for a certified copy of the original document. What is a certified copy? Is it a notarized copy of the original document? The thing is, the checklist doesn't even indicate that I need a certified copy or an affidavit... Thanks for your help!!

Here's what it says on the CIC guide:

Any document that is not in English or in French must be accompanied by:

* the English or French translation; and
* an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
* a certified copy of the original document.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document.
Yes several people used to get confused about this matter.

If you are translating the document from any person ( who is not a licensed or recognized by the local government agency, you need to submit his affidavit.

If you are translating the documents from any licensed translator there is no need of affidavit. His seal and signature on the translation paper is enough.

In your case the translation from consulate is enough. attach a photocopy of your certificate too.
 

doghouse

Star Member
May 9, 2011
57
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
27 Sept 2011
Med's Done....
11 July 2011
Passport Req..
9 March 2012
VISA ISSUED...
2 April 2012
Thanks a lot, miss mini and wilson!! This makes a bit more sense now..

Wilson, when you say attach a copy of the certificate, do you mean a certified copy of the document?
 

missmini

Champion Member
Oct 6, 2009
1,777
71
Visa Office......
Amman
App. Filed.......
01-2012
Doc's Request.
05-2012 (CSQ approved)
AOR Received.
07-2012
File Transfer...
04-2012
Med's Done....
11-2011 (extended until 11-2013)
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
02-2013 (finalyyyyyy)
LANDED..........
07-2013 (DONE - thank u all :):):))
wilson said:
Yes several people used to get confused about this matter.

If you are translating the document from any person ( who is not a licensed or recognized by the local government agency, you need to submit his affidavit.

If you are translating the documents from any licensed translator there is no need of affidavit. His seal and signature on the translation paper is enough.

In your case the translation from consulate is enough. attach a photocopy of your certificate too.
pfiuuuu wilson u r really champion ;) me too i believed the same (and refused to believe otherwise cuz i'm stubborn :p ) but it's great when other people confirm it too :) thank u!!!!

doghouse (loool funny name) usually the oficial translator offices will hand in the translated document and attached to it a photocopy of what was translated, both stamped...i believe the consular should have done the same if not it's better to ask them to stamp the copy of the original too (like this it's becoming a true copy)

on a side note, the way they wrote in the guides before it was much more clearer, at least for this part; now they got so many people confused :-\
 

Famham

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Nov 10, 2014
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missmini said:
pfiuuuu wilson u r really champion ;) me too i believed the same (and refused to believe otherwise cuz i'm stubborn :p ) but it's great when other people confirm it too :) thank u!!!!

doghouse (loool funny name) usually the oficial translator offices will hand in the translated document and attached to it a photocopy of what was translated, both stamped...i believe the consular should have done the same if not it's better to ask them to stamp the copy of the original too (like this it's becoming a true copy)

on a side note, the way they wrote in the guides before it was much more clearer, at least for this part; now they got so many people confused :-\
I have the translation from a sworn government translator as well as the Ministry of External Affairs of my country authenticating it, would I still require the affidavit.
 

Christoph100

Hero Member
Jun 15, 2014
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Famham said:
I have the translation from a sworn government translator as well as the Ministry of External Affairs of my country authenticating it, would I still require the affidavit.
As long as there is an authentication stamp on it from the Ministry you should be fine. Basically authenticating from the Ministry turns that translation into a legal document that is normally accepted by other Governments including other Governmental departments from the original country.
 

Famham

Star Member
Nov 10, 2014
86
11
Sri Lanka
Category........
Visa Office......
Colombo
NOC Code......
0112
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10-12-2014, DC charged 31-01-2015
Nomination.....
PER : 26-02-2015
AOR Received.
No
IELTS Request
Sent with Application
File Transfer...
Don't Know
Med's Request
(with RPRF) 25-03-2015 2nd Line: 23-03-2015
Med's Done....
11-04-2015 3rd Line: 23-04-2015
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
06-05-2015
VISA ISSUED...
05-05-2015
LANDED..........
12-11-2015
Christoph100 said:
As long as there is an authentication stamp on it from the Ministry you should be fine. Basically authenticating from the Ministry turns that translation into a legal document that is normally accepted by other Governments including other Governmental departments from the original country.
Thanks Christoph, much appreciated
 

snasir123

Star Member
Feb 6, 2017
57
7
Hi all,

Please highlight on the affidavit part. Do we still need an affidavit if I have the certified copy of original document ( Birth certificate)-Had stamp and signature of translator . Do i still need an affidavit from him ? please advise
 

smallcoffee

Hero Member
Apr 4, 2018
374
162
Paris
Hi all,

Please highlight on the affidavit part. Do we still need an affidavit if I have the certified copy of original document ( Birth certificate)-Had stamp and signature of translator . Do i still need an affidavit from him ? please advise
I would like to know this also. I am in France and bringing the translator to a notary is uncommon. No one can do it here.
 

karelita13

Newbie
Jan 25, 2024
1
0
Yes several people used to get confused about this matter.

If you are translating the document from any person ( who is not a licensed or recognized by the local government agency, you need to submit his affidavit.

If you are translating the documents from any licensed translator there is no need of affidavit. His seal and signature on the translation paper is enough.

In your case the translation from consulate is enough. attach a photocopy of your certificate too.
Hello,
If I do the translation with a licensed translator do I have to apostille the document?