Reference
Certified vs. notarized vs. sworn translation in Canada
A certified translation is a complete translation with a signed certificate of accuracy from the translator, stamped where the translator holds a provincial “Certified Translator” title. A notarized translation is a certified translation whose certificate or affidavit is signed before a notary public or commissioner of oaths. A sworn translation is not a Canadian category: in Canada it means a translation backed by a translator’s affidavit, and abroad it means a state-appointed sworn translator. IRCC accepts a certified translator’s stamp without notarization.
- Current as of
- Last reviewed
- Cite as
- A2Z Language Hub, “Certified vs. notarized vs. sworn translation in Canada”, https://www.a2zlanguagehub.com/reference/certified-vs-notarized-vs-sworn-translation-canada, as of 2026-09-10.
What is the difference between certified, notarized and sworn translation?
The difference is who signs and what the signature proves. A certified translation is vouched for by the translator alone. A notarized translation adds a notary or commissioner who confirms the signer’s identity or administers an oath — but does not check the translation. “Sworn” describes the oath, not a separate document type.
| Term | What it is | Who signs, and before whom | What the signature proves | Cost at A2Z Language Hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified translation | A complete translation delivered with a signed, dated certificate of accuracy: the translator’s name, credentials and contact details, and a statement that the translation is complete and accurate. A certified translator adds their provincial association stamp or seal. | The translator or translation company. No third party. | That a named, accountable translator vouches for the accuracy and completeness of the translation. | From $55 CAD per page — certification included |
| Notarized translation | A certified translation whose certificate (or a translator’s affidavit) is signed in front of a notary public or commissioner of oaths, who applies a seal. | The translator signs; the notary or commissioner witnesses the signature or administers the oath and seals the document. | That the person who signed is who they say they are and signed under oath or solemn declaration. Not that the translation is accurate — the notary does not read it. | Per-page rate + $60 per document |
| Sworn translation (in Canada) | Not a formal category. In practice it means a translation supported by a translator’s affidavit — IRCC defines this as a document in which the translator swears the translation is a true and accurate version of the original, before a commissioner authorized to administer oaths. Functionally the same as a notarized translation. | The translator swears; a commissioner of oaths, notary public or other authorized official administers the oath. | Same as a notarized translation. | Per-page rate + $60 per document |
| Sworn translation (abroad) | In many civil-law countries a “sworn” or “official” translator is appointed by a court or ministry, and that translator’s stamp alone makes a translation official. Canada has no equivalent appointment. | The state-appointed sworn translator. | Depends on the appointing country’s rules. | Ask the receiving authority abroad what it accepts before ordering. |
Who can certify a translation in Canada?
Any competent translator can sign a certificate of accuracy, but the title “Certified Translator” is reserved. It is granted by the provincial regulatory bodies, not by the national council (CTTIC), and it is recognized by legislation in New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia; in British Columbia only a certified STIBC member may use the title, protected since 2015. IRCC’s own definition is broader: a member in good standing of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad.
| Jurisdiction | Body | Status of the title |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | STIBC — Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia | Protected occupational title since 2015; only certified STIBC members may use “Certified Translator (C.T.)”. |
| Ontario | ATIO — Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario | Recognized by provincial legislation (per CTTIC). |
| New Brunswick | CTINB — Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick | Recognized by provincial legislation (per CTTIC). |
| Alberta | ATIA — Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta | Granted by the provincial body; de facto recognition (per CTTIC). |
| Saskatchewan | ATIS — Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan | Granted by the provincial body; de facto recognition (per CTTIC). |
| Manitoba | ATIM — Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of Manitoba | Granted by the provincial body; de facto recognition (per CTTIC). |
| Quebec | OTTIAQ — Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec | A professional order; “traducteur agréé” is its member title. Not cited here — confirm requirements with the receiving Quebec body. |
| National | CTTIC — Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council | Administers certification exams; does not itself grant certification. |
Which Canadian authorities accept which type of translation?
Most Canadian authorities accept a certified translation without notarization. IRCC, WES, IQAS, ICES, ICBC, Alberta and ServiceOntario each publish a rule that turns on who the translator is, not on a notary’s seal. The CRA is the exception in this table: its accepted forms of translation are certified by a commissioner of oaths, notary or lawyer, or by an embassy, a CPA, a teacher, professor or religious leader — a translator’s stamp alone is not on that list.
| Authority | What it requires | Notarization required? | Cited source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRCC — immigration and citizenship | An English or French translation that is either stamped by a certified translator (a member in good standing of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad) or accompanied by the translator’s affidavit; a certified copy of the original; all stamps and seals translated. The applicant, their family members, representative or consultant may not translate. | No. An affidavit (sworn before a commissioner of oaths) is required only when the translator is not certified. | IRCC help centre (Q018, Q040); IRCC Express Entry document guide |
| WES — credential evaluation | A word-for-word translation by a professional translator. No handwritten, applicant-completed or partial translations. WES does not translate documents itself. | Not stated in WES’s requirements. | WES translation requirements |
| IQAS (Alberta) — credential evaluation | A word-for-word translation of every non-English educational document by a professional translator, who need not be certified in Canada. | No — IQAS states that notarization is not required. | IQAS — how to apply |
| ICES (BCIT) — credential evaluation | A complete, literal (not interpretive) word-for-word translation including reverse sides; the translator attaches a signed copy of the source document and stamps every page. | Not stated in ICES’s requirements. | ICES document translations |
| ICBC — British Columbia driver’s licence exchange | A translation by an ICBC-approved translator when the licence uses non-English characters, has no vehicle images or is a paper licence; ICBC holds the application until the translation arrives. The approved-translator list is not exhaustive and is direction-specific. | No — the requirement is an ICBC-approved translator. | ICBC — moving from outside Canada; ICBC language services |
| Alberta registries — driver’s licence exchange | All documents in English or accompanied by a written translation from an Approved Document Translator. An International Driving Permit is not accepted as a translation. | No — the requirement is an approved translator. | Government of Alberta — exchange a licence |
| ServiceOntario — driver’s licence exchange | A translation by an approved translator, dated within six months of the licence application. | No — the requirement is an approved translator. | ServiceOntario — exchange an out-of-province licence |
| CRA — tax documents | An English or French translation that is one of: certified by an official with authority to administer an oath or solemn declaration (commissioner of oaths, notary public or lawyer); sealed and signed by the foreign country’s embassy, high commission or consulate; signed by a Chartered Professional Accountant; or accompanied by a written statement and signature of a teacher, professor or religious leader. The signatory cannot be the taxpayer. | In effect, yes — a translator’s certification alone is not among the four accepted forms; the commissioner, notary or lawyer route is. | CRA — common adjustments |
| Canadian courts | Varies by court and province. Court rules commonly require a translator’s affidavit sworn before a commissioner of oaths alongside the translation. Not cited here — check the rules of the court you are filing in. | Usually yes, in the form of a sworn affidavit. | — (no single primary page; check the court) |
Which type of translation do I need?
Order a certified translation unless the receiving body names something else. Notarization is worth adding only when a court, lawyer, the CRA route above or a foreign authority asks for a sworn or notarized document. When in doubt, ask the receiving body in writing and keep the answer.
| Purpose | Order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC application (PR, citizenship, permits, sponsorship) | Certified translation | A certified translator’s stamp is one of IRCC’s two accepted routes; the other is a translator’s affidavit. |
| Credential evaluation (WES, IQAS, ICES) | Certified translation | Each evaluator requires a professional, word-for-word translation; IQAS states notarization is not required. |
| Driver’s licence exchange (ICBC, Alberta, Ontario) | Certified translation by an approved translator | Each authority keeps its own approved-translator requirement; Ontario also requires the translation to be dated within six months. |
| CRA filing, audit or objection | Notarized translation | The CRA’s accepted forms include certification by a commissioner of oaths, notary or lawyer; a translator’s stamp alone is not listed. |
| Court filing | Certified translation + translator’s affidavit (notarized) | Court rules commonly require a sworn affidavit; confirm with the court. |
| Use outside Canada (apostille or authentication chain) | Notarized translation, then authenticate | Foreign authorities generally start from a notarized document; confirm with the receiving country. |
Does a notary check the translation?
No. The notary or commissioner confirms the identity of the person signing and administers the oath or solemn declaration; the translator is the one swearing that the translation is true and accurate. A notarized translation is therefore no more accurate than the certified translation inside it — the seal adds legal formality, not a second review.
- Certification is about the translator’s accountability for accuracy.
- Notarization is about the authenticity of the signature and the oath.
- “Sworn” describes the oath; in Canada it is delivered as an affidavit, which is what notarization produces.
Primary sources
The requirements described on this page come from the official sources below. Rules change — check the source itself before you file.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. What language should my supporting documents be in?. checked .
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. What is an affidavit for a translation?. checked .
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry. checked .
- Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). Certification. checked .
- Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC). Professionals you can trust. checked .
- World Education Services (WES). Translation Requirements for a WES Credential Evaluation. checked .
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), Government of Alberta. Assessment for immigration – How to apply. checked .
- International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), British Columbia Institute of Technology. Document Translations. checked .
- Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Moving from outside Canada. checked .
- Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Language services. checked .
- Government of Alberta. Exchange a licence from outside Alberta. checked .
- ServiceOntario, Government of Ontario. Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence. checked .
- Canada Revenue Agency. Common adjustments. checked .