translation of documents
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If you are translating your foreign marriage certificate and birth document you need to make sure you that it's an official translator from your home country, once translated you need to get the translation verified, then take it to the Ministry of External Affairs and authenticate it for the document to be used in Canada.
If you are doing the translation here in Canada (for non-legal foreign documents like whatsapp conversations or Canadian-provide documents from am embassy here). I would get it translated by the official translators that are affiliated with the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). You do not need an affidavit if you are doing it from Canada.
For example in Ontario (for me), I used ATIO. But if you are in other provinces, each province has their own
ATINS (New Brunswick)
CTINB (New Brunswick)
OTTIAQ (Quebec)
ATIM (Manitoba)
ATIS (Saskatchewan)
ATIA (Alberta)
STIBC (British Columbia)
Once translated by a canadian translater, you need to get it noirized, and then authenticated from your embassy or consulate to your home country.
Please note, if it's a foreign document, it must be translated + verified + authenticated from your home country to be used in Canada before you use your documents in spousal application. A police check and Directorate of Civil Affairs document would be helpful too.
If you are doing the translation here in Canada (for non-legal foreign documents like whatsapp conversations or Canadian-provide documents from am embassy here). I would get it translated by the official translators that are affiliated with the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). You do not need an affidavit if you are doing it from Canada.
For example in Ontario (for me), I used ATIO. But if you are in other provinces, each province has their own
ATINS (New Brunswick)
CTINB (New Brunswick)
OTTIAQ (Quebec)
ATIM (Manitoba)
ATIS (Saskatchewan)
ATIA (Alberta)
STIBC (British Columbia)
Once translated by a canadian translater, you need to get it noirized, and then authenticated from your embassy or consulate to your home country.
Please note, if it's a foreign document, it must be translated + verified + authenticated from your home country to be used in Canada before you use your documents in spousal application. A police check and Directorate of Civil Affairs document would be helpful too.
This information is incorrect - ignore this person, has no idea what they're talking about. Authentication is NOT a required step for all countries (indeed I'd say most).
It MAY be required for some countries - but far from all.
Most countries do. I also speak on experience.
Also it does not hurt to get it authenticated. Why hurt your chances more? You lose nothing by getting it authenticated. And its usually done same day.
It is, bluntly, incredibly stupid advice to do unnecessary, time-consuming, and (sometimes) expensive procedures. Indeed, idiotic.
The credible advice is: follow the instructions. They are here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...er-dependent-child-complete-guide.html#gather
Most of the time, it is just as stated: "For any documents that are not in English or French, you must attach the following, unless your checklist specifies otherwise:
- a certified copy of the original document; and
- The English or French translation, and
- An affidavit from the person who completed the translation. See Translation of documents below."
That is the only credible advice.
And no - it's not 'most.' That's just bullshit.
For those doing this: here's how to correctly follow the advice, and not do pointless, idiotic, extra steps. Go to the IRCC webpages and check, using the 'get my application package' part here:
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp
Select what type of application package (eg sponsor spouse and dependent children), then countries that are applicable (where the spouse and/or children live and for countries issuing the documents of importance (they are listed eg birth certificates, passports, etc).
As an example of a country that does require specific notarial or other steps, Colombia, here's the text (on document procedures):
Note, in SOME cases the IRCC instructions may specify something (as in Colombia above) that is difficult to do from abroad, and there may be some alternative - like getting docs authenticated at the country's Embassy, or via some other mechanism (possibly apostilles under Hague Convention). IRCC does not always have perfect up to date information. Up to the applicant to look into it (and deal with it if not accepted by IRCC).
But they do NOT require steps like authentication if they don't ask for them.
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp
Select what type of application package (eg sponsor spouse and dependent children), then countries that are applicable (where the spouse and/or children live and for countries issuing the documents of importance (they are listed eg birth certificates, passports, etc).
As an example of a country that does require specific notarial or other steps, Colombia, here's the text (on document procedures):
Colombia
- Copies of all needed civil documents must be notarized by the notary’s office (“notaría”) where the documents were registered.
Note, in SOME cases the IRCC instructions may specify something (as in Colombia above) that is difficult to do from abroad, and there may be some alternative - like getting docs authenticated at the country's Embassy, or via some other mechanism (possibly apostilles under Hague Convention). IRCC does not always have perfect up to date information. Up to the applicant to look into it (and deal with it if not accepted by IRCC).
But they do NOT require steps like authentication if they don't ask for them.
I hear what you’re saying, and I agree that the official instructions are the main source we all need to follow. The only reason I suggested those extra steps is to save time in the long run and avoid the risk of having to redo things if something gets flagged later. It’s not meant to add unnecessary work, but rather to make sure everything goes through smoothly the first time.
That said, I’d appreciate if we could keep the discussion constructive. We’re both working toward the same goal here
This is a bald-faced lie, this is not what you wrote before: you did not 'suggest' extra steps to save time in the long run, you wrote "... you need to get the translation verified, then take it to the Ministry of External Affairs."
Please don't attempt to whitewash your demonstrably false description of the process, taking steps that you said were 'necessary' as a suggestion. You did not make a 'suggestion' that someone could use to (potentially) save time - also a dubious contention - when you did not.
It's not 'constructive discussion' when you misrepresent what you said to support your false instructions.
Grow up, admit you were simply wrong, and move on.
I’m going to be clear and precise here.
My intent was—and still is—to avoid rework and delays. When I wrote “you need to get the translation verified, then take it to the Ministry of External Affairs,” I was advising a cautious approach based on situations where additional verification is later requested. The official checklist is the controlling source, and I agree that if it does not require authentication or apostilles, then they are not required. My clarification was not an attempt to “whitewash” anything; it was to explain the rationale behind the advice.
If my wording read as an absolute requirement beyond the checklist, that was not my intention, and I’ll be more precise going forward. That said, phrases like “bald-faced lie” and “grow up” aren’t constructive or appropriate. Let’s keep things professional.
I am not going to discuss this further as you do not seem to understand me. This is my final response.
Nonsense. That's simply not what the word 'need' means.
If someone was giving advice to "you could do this to be extra cautious even though it takes extra time and costs more money but conceivably IRCC might like it", one would so indicate.
Not to mention: I've simply never heard of a case - ever - where IRCC requested documents get attested at ministry of justice / authenticated where they did not require it in the first place.
It was bad, useless advice presented as necessity. Making it a suggestion doesn't improve it much.
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