Translation question: two different requirements for translated documents?

[kanadskazena]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been covered before; I couldn't find it in previous postings.

I am sponsoring my Croatian husband for PR inland. Two documents need to be translated from Croatian.



In the guide for family-class sponsorship, it says:

Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or 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. Translators who are certified members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.

Important information. Translations by family members are not acceptable.




But in the document checklist (IMM5443E), it says:

You must provide certified translations in either English or French for all documents (e.g. police, birth certificates, etc.) that are not already in English or French.



These two things seem to say different things. I would like to ask a friend who speaks Croatian to do the translation and provide an affidavit; we will also submit a certified copy. But this would not provide us with a certified translation, would it?

What is the best thing for us to do?

Thank you very much for any help anyone can provide.

 

[kanadskazena]

I've got my question answered by calling CIC--perhaps this information will be helpful to someone else.

The CIC says that the translations can be done by anyone who is not a family member. That person must provide an affidavit signed in front of someone who can take affidavits. A certified copy of the document must also be provided; the certification is done by someone who can take oaths.

 

[william44]

So for question 24 and 25 would we put yes? Because we didn't really visit each other in the way they explain it. We were always meeting and lived in the same city. We don't have evidence of visas, flights, or tickets.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I've got my question answered by calling CIC--perhaps this information will be helpful to someone else.

The CIC says that the translations can be done by anyone who is not a family member. That person must provide an affidavit signed in front of someone who can take affidavits. A certified copy of the document must also be provided; the certification is done by someone who can take oaths.

You got the wrong information from the Call Centre. If you read the application Guide, you will see the following:

"If a certificate is not in English or French, submit both the certificate and the original copy of a translation prepared by an accredited translator.

 

[kanadskazena]

Thank you very much for clarifying this situation, PMM. I overlooked that sentence and am a bit annoyed that the Call Centre did too! It's most helpful of you to point it out to me.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thank you very much for clarifying this situation, PMM. I overlooked that sentence and am a bit annoyed that the Call Centre did too! It's most helpful of you to point it out to me.

It actually depends on the document - per the instructions in Guide 5289, the call centre was correct in their original advice except for police certificates:

"Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or 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. Translators who are certified members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.

Important information. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

Police certificates

If you and your family members who are 18 years of age and older and are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens have to provide:

a valid police certificate, or
police clearance, or
record of no information.
These documents are to be provided for each country other than Canada, in which you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18.

Note: If you or your family members were under 18 years of age (16 years of age in certain jurisdictions) for the entire time you lived in a particular country, you do not need to provide a police certificate for that country.

The certificate must have been issued no more than three months prior to submitting your application. If the original certificate is not in English or French, then you will need to submit both the certificate and the original copy of the translation prepared by an accredited translator.

It is your responsibility to contact the police or relevant authorities. When doing so, you may have to:

pay a fee for the service, and
provide information or documentation such as:
photographs,
fingerprints,
your addresses and periods of residence in the country or territory.
We will also do our own background checks to determine if there are grounds under which you and your dependants may be inadmissible to Canada."

However, as you point out the checklist has slightly different instructions at the top as a reminder.

Given that the savings are likely substantial I would consider sending in a friend's translation with affidavits and explain that those are the instructions provided by the Call Centre and also provide a print-out of the instructions for everything other than the police certificates unless you see a bulletin come out in the next few days. Finally, offer to get certified translations if required for any additional specific documents.

 

[BrazilianGirl]

Here in Brazil I had to get the Police Clearance. They are 3 different documents. For one of them I had to physically go somewhere and pay for it. But the other two, I can give all my information and print them from the internet.
-Do I have to get them certified? Or just send them the way they are plus the translation done by a certified translator?
-What are all the documents that have to be certified? (I believe it is my birth certificate, and probably my passport. Anything else?)

Thanks! =]