Chapter CP 12 - Documents

Section 2 - Translation of foreign documents

Related Topic

See Using interpreters

2.1 This section is about

acceptable translation of foreign documents.

2.2 Authorities

2.3 Policy

A citizenship applicant who provides documents in a language other than French or English must submit a copy of the original document and a copy of the French or English translation of the document with the application. The applicant must also supply an affidavit from the translator. See affidavits, this chapter

2.4 Exceptions

The applicant does not have to provide an affidavit for:

• documents from posts abroad with the translation verified by the post
• documents translated by other Canadian governmental departments or agencies or provincial government departments or agencies.

2.5 Who may translate document

Any person, other than a family member may translate a document in support of a citizenship application. A family member is defined for the purposes of this policy as being a: parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew and first cousin. This policy applies to an applicant’s spouse (if applicable) as well. i.e. a spouse’s brother, sister, etc. cannot translate a document for an applicant.

Applicants must obtain, pay for, and supply acceptable translations of foreign documents.

If an applicant does not provide an acceptable translation, hold the application until you receive an acceptable translation, or follow the abandonment procedures. See Abandonment.

2.6 Suspicious documents, translations

Send documents or translations suspected of being fraudulent for official translation by the departmental translation unit.

If documents or translations are found to be fraudulent, send them to Case Management Branch.