If you are applying for immigration, education, or employment in Canada, you may be asked to provide certified translations of your official documents, such as birth certificates, diplomas, transcripts, or marriage licenses. But what exactly is a certified translation and why is it important?
Simply put, a Certified Translation is a translation that has been completed by a translator with the appropriate certification (i.e. a Certified Translator).
A certified translator is a member in good standing at one of the provincial translators’ associations whose certification can be confirmed by a seal or stamp which shows the translator’s membership number of their professional association.
In Canada, certification of translators is administered at the provincial level, so each province will have its own separate certification body. In British Columbia, certification is administered by STIBC – the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia, a member organization of CTTIC – the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council. As Translation Services Canada is located within the Metro Vancouver area in Beautiful British Columbia, our translators are certified by STIBC. A certified translation is different from a notarized translation, which is a translation that is verified by a notary public who witnesses the translator's signature on a statement. A notarized translation does not speak to the quality or accuracy of the translation, only the identity of the translator.
Certified translations are needed when foreign documents are to be used for official purposes within Canada and are not already in English or French. The translator certifies with their signature, stamp, and an affidavit that the translation is a true and accurate reflection of the original document.
There are several reasons why Certified Translations are required in Canada for official purposes:
It ensures that the translated document is faithful to the original and does not contain any errors, omissions, or alterations that could affect its meaning or validity.
It demonstrates that the translator is qualified and competent to perform the translation.
It provides a legal record of the translation in case of any disputes or challenges.
Certified Translations contain 3 elements:
An affidavit of accuracy of the translator that provided the translation.
The translation itself.
Certified true copies of the original documents.
The completed Certified Translation Package will be officially stamped, signed and dated by the Certified Translator.
To obtain a certified translation in Canada, you need to hire a professional translator who is certified by one of the provincial associations of translators and interpreters, such as STIBC. These associations have rigorous standards and codes of ethics for their members and offer certification exams and accreditation programs. All translators at Translation Services Canada have successfully achieved these high standards and are certified by STIBC.
A Certified Translation is an essential step in ensuring that your official documents are accepted and recognized by Canadian authorities and institutions. By hiring a reliable translation agency like Translation Services Canada, you can avoid delays, complications, and misunderstandings that could jeopardize your application or your rights.