Your Translation Questions
Answered

Answers to the most common questions about our certified translation for Canada service – pricing from $39.95 per page, turnaround, IRCC acceptance, apostille legalization, privacy, and delivery. If you cannot find your answer here, email contact@officialtranslations.com.

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FAQ

Getting Started

Our service is designed to be simple and reliable. You upload your documents and place your order online, and your translation is handled by a professional human translator. Each translation is carefully reviewed for accuracy and proper formatting, and includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy accepted by IRCC, the courts, and Canadian universities. Once completed, you receive your translated documents electronically, with free digital delivery of hard copies available. If revisions are needed, you can request them after delivery.
We translate a wide range of personal, legal, academic, and business documents. Common types include birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, passports, national ID cards, visas, degree certificates and academic transcripts, court and immigration documents, IRCC filings, police clearance certificates, contracts, powers of attorney, affidavits, medical records, employment letters, and bank statements. Translations are delivered in certified format suitable for official and legal use in Canada. Documents of any type or format can be translated, including complex, handwritten, or uncommon records.
In most cases, no. We can complete translations from clear scans or photographs of your documents, and originals are not required for certified translations. The only time an original document is needed is when you request an apostille on the original document itself. If a translation needs to be apostilled or legalised, you do not need to post us anything.
Your documents are translated by professional human translators experienced in official, legal, and certified translation, working exclusively in their specialist language pairs. Each translation is carefully reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and proper formatting before delivery. We do not use automated or machine translation for certified work.
A certified translation is a complete and accurate translation accompanied by a signed Certificate of Accuracy. This confirms that the translation is true and correct to the best of the translator's knowledge, and is accepted by IRCC, the courts, WES, universities, and other official bodies. In Canada a certified translation of this kind is normally sufficient on its own.
Certified audio transcription and translation involves converting spoken audio or video recordings into written text and translating them into another language, with certification included. This service is commonly used for audio and video recordings submitted as evidence in court, as well as for tribunals, hearings, interviews, and other legal or official proceedings that require an accurate written record.
Once your translation is finished, you will receive the completed files electronically for review and use. Certified translations include the required Certificate of Accuracy, and hard copies by courier or additional services can be provided if requested. If any revisions are needed, you may request them after delivery.
FAQ

Timing & Delivery

Most short documents of one to three pages are delivered digitally within one business day. Larger documents or specialised content may take two to three business days. We will always confirm the estimated turnaround time before we begin.
Yes, expedited and rush translation options are available for many documents and language pairs. Rush service is charged at $19.95 per page and prioritises your order for same-day or next-morning delivery. You can select rush service when placing your order.
All completed translations are delivered electronically as certified PDF files via email, ready for official use. If you need a printed hard copy posted to you, this is available as an add-on for $19.95 and is sent by tracked courier.
FAQ

Certified Translation Details

In Canada, certified translations are typically accepted on their own. Our certificate of accuracy is sufficient for IRCC, courts, and most Canadian institutions. If your specific case requires additional lawyer certification, please contact us and we can advise on the process.
Yes. We offer a full apostille service. If an apostille is required for a translation, we obtain the official apostille on your behalf–you do not need to post any original documents. The process typically takes 5–7 business days. If you need an apostille on the original document itself, you will need to post it to us and the original must first be issued or certified by the relevant authority. E-apostille service is also available for faster processing.
Certified translations reflect the original document exactly as issued. Currency amounts are translated as written and are not converted by default. Currency conversion can be added for an additional fee when specifically requested. When included, conversions are clearly indicated and calculated using the official exchange rate in effect on the date of translation, and are provided for reference purposes only.
We do not perform foreign credential or degree evaluations. However, a certified translation must be completed before an evaluation can be performed by bodies such as WES. We provide professional translations of academic transcripts, diplomas, and certificates that are accepted by WES and Canadian universities.
FAQ

Privacy & Data Protection

We take the confidentiality of your personal information and documents seriously. Files are handled securely and accessed only by professionals directly involved in your translation, all of whom are bound by confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. We comply with the Canada's PIPEDA privacy legislation.
Only professionals directly involved in completing your translation and internal quality checks have access to your documents. All individuals with access are bound by non-disclosure agreements, and documents are handled strictly on a need-to-know basis.
No. Your files are not shared with third parties for marketing, resale, or unrelated purposes. Documents are only accessed as necessary to complete the requested translation and any related services, and all parties involved are bound by confidentiality obligations.
Yes. We can sign a non-disclosure agreement upon request. Many corporate and institutional clients require this, and we are happy to accommodate. Please email us at [email protected] to arrange this.
FAQ

Order Help & Support

Once your payment is completed, we begin work immediately. You will receive email updates at key stages of your order. For a status update at any time, simply email us at [email protected] with your order reference or payment receipt.
Changes or cancellations may be possible depending on the stage of the translation. If you need to update or cancel your order, please contact us as soon as possible. Once translation work has begun or has been completed, changes may be limited
If you need a revision, simply contact us by email and describe the requested changes. Revisions related to translation accuracy are always free of charge. We aim to complete revisions within one business day.
You can reach us by email at [email protected]. Please include your order reference or payment receipt for the fastest response. We typically reply within a few hours during business days.
FAQ

About Official Translations

Yes. Our translators hold relevant professional qualifications and work exclusively in their specialist language pairs. All translations are completed by experienced linguists and undergo a thorough quality review before delivery.
Official Translations is a certified translation provider serving Canada providing certified translation services nationwide. We serve clients across Canada. As an online service, we are not limited by location–you can order from anywhere in Canada and receive your certified translation electronically.
No in-person visits are required. Documents are typically submitted electronically using clear scans or photographs via our order page. If original documents need to be posted (for example, for an apostille on the original), we will provide a secure postal address and instructions.
FAQ

Pricing & Payment

Our certified translations start from $39.95 per page (up to 300 words). Pricing is calculated automatically based on your document’s word count when you upload it. The exact price is shown before you pay–no hidden fees.
Translation pricing is based on the total word count and any add-on services you select. Add-ons include rush delivery ($19.95/page), hard copy by courier ($19.95), e-apostille ($149.95), full apostille ($199), and handwritten document surcharge ($19.95/page). The language pair does not affect the base price.
Payments are processed securely through Stripe. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Bank transfer is also available for larger orders. All payments are in CAD ($).
Yes. Payment is required before translation work begins. Once payment is completed and the receipt is issued by our payment processor, we begin working on your order.
If work has not yet begun, a full cancellation and refund can usually be arranged. Once translation is in progress, refunds are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Full details are available in our Refund Policy.
FAQ

International Use & Shipping

Yes. Our certified translations are widely accepted internationally. For documents intended for use abroad, an apostille may be required to authenticate the translation for the destination country (if they are a member of the Hague Convention). We handle the full apostille process on your behalf.
Yes. If hard copies are required, we can post them to international addresses using tracked courier services. Delivery times and costs vary by destination. Please contact us for a quote on international shipping.
FAQ

Files & Document Formats

You can upload most common file types, including PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC, DOCX, and other standard document or image formats. Scans and clear photos of documents are acceptable as long as all text is visible and legible.
Yes. We can translate documents with low image quality as long as the text is readable. If parts of the document are unclear or illegible, we may contact you to request a clearer copy to ensure accuracy.
Yes. We translate handwritten documents. If handwritten content makes up more than approximately 30% of the document, a handwritten surcharge of $19.95 per page applies to account for the additional time required.
FAQ

Quality Review & Revisions

If you notice an issue, please contact us at [email protected] and describe the concern in detail. We will review the request promptly and make any necessary corrections to ensure the translation is accurate and complete.
Yes. Corrections related to translation accuracy or completeness are included at no additional cost. We stand behind our work and will correct any errors identified after delivery.
Yes. Reasonable layout or formatting adjustments that do not involve changes to the translated content can be requested after delivery. More extensive formatting changes or requests that go beyond the original scope may require additional time or fees.
Most revisions are completed quickly, often within one business day. The exact timing depends on the complexity of the request and the scope of the changes needed.