A question about support letters

[Carlo]

I would like to know if I have to translate a support letter for my wife's residency with a certified translator? Or can I have a friend translate the letter for me? Translations costs are high here in Canada and I do not have the money to get it done professionally. 

[valy79]

I would say it depends how many of these letters you have to translate. I translated 2 support letters myself (my mom's and my friend's), the rest of them were in English. If the minority of the letters need to be translated you should be fine if you get your friend to translate them, if most of them are in a different language I would personally probably get them translated professionally.

[Carlo]

I would say it depends how many of these letters you have to translate. I translated 2 support letters myself (my mom's and my friend's), the rest of them were in English. If the minority of the letters need to be translated you should be fine if you get your friend to translate them

Thank you so much for your reply. I was wondering if my friend who translates the letter has to sign it? Is there a specific way to translate it?

[valy79]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was wondering if my friend who translates the letter has to sign it? Is there a specific way to translate it?

There is no specific way to do this/no official way. I just made a small note on the letter saying who translated it (in our case me), and the date. I would assume that should be good enough.

[canadianwoman]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was wondering if my friend who translates the letter has to sign it? Is there a specific way to translate it?

Get the translator to add a page stating his/her name, qualifications, contact details, and then a section where he/she swears that the translation is a true translation of the original.
This is what a certified translator is supposed to provide you, and will make the translation appear more professional.