Canada has two official languages: English and French. Documents written in another language must be translated into English or French to be accepted for official purposes. Official translations in Canada are referred to as certified translations, which are provided by certified translators.
Certified Translators
A certified translator is an accredited member in good standing of a professional association whose status can be confirmed with a membership number. This is often done by using a membership seal or stamp showing the translator’s membership number.
In Canada, a certified translator is a member of a provincial or territorial professional association, such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), who has fulfilled the association’s requirements to become certified. We are qualified professionals of recognized skill and competence.
Certified Translations
A certified translation is an official translation produced by a certified translator who has signed a statement attesting to the accuracy of their translation (certification statement, sometimes referred to as a “cover letter”). The statement will include the translator’s contact information and professional membership details. If there is no certification statement, the translation has not been certified. If the translator possesses a membership seal or stamp, the statement will also be sealed or stamped.
My professional association, ATIO, does not require members to buy or use a seal or stamp to certify their translations. In practice, many Canadian authorities expect and require certified translations to be accompanied by an official membership seal or stamp.
A signed certification statement from a Canadian certified translator who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial professional association is sufficient to certify translations for Canadian authorities in most cases and a notarized affidavit will not be required.
Certified Translation Packages
When providing certified translation services, your translator will prepare a certified translation package for your translated document. A certified translation package consists of the following:
- Signed certification statement (cover letter) attesting to the accuracy of the translation including the translator’s contact information and professional membership details. This will be stamped or sealed by the translator if they possess a membership stamp or seal.
- Translation
- Original document(s)
The certified translation package can be provided as a digital file or as a paper document. The digital file should be a scan of the signed certification statement and accompanying pages, which may also be stamped or sealed by the translator. Embossed seals do not scan well, so translators are recommended to use ink membership stamps on certified translation packages delivered electronically.
I prepare digital copies of all certified translation packages and offer the original paper copies on request. Original paper copies of certified translation packages are required for many in-person procedures, such as driver’s licence applications at DriveTest. See here for more information on submitting translations to DriveTest.
How Can I Get a Quote for a Certified Translation?
If you need a certified translation from Spanish into English, please contact me to receive a quote and estimated completion date! You will need to send me a clear scan or photo of your original document.
Laura L. Messer, Certified Translator Spanish to English (ATIO)
I am a certified member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) with years of experience translating legal and financial documents from Spanish to English.