affidavit for translation

[doghouse]

Hi, I'm in the process of preparing my application now, and I'm getting really confused about requirements for translated documents.

My birth certificate is not in English and I got it translated at my local consulate office. The translation was notarized by the consulate office, saying that the document was translated at the consulate office. It was also stamped with the name and signature of the person and dated.  Will that count as an affidavit?? The guide on cic says that any translated document needs an affidavit, and I'm not that clear what they mean by affidavit.

Also, the guide also asks for a certified copy of the original document. What is a certified copy? Is it a notarized copy of the original document? The thing is, the checklist doesn't even indicate that I need a certified copy or an affidavit... Thanks for your help!!

Here's what it says on the CIC guide:

Any document that is not in English or in French must be accompanied by:

    * the English or French translation; and
    * an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
    * a certified copy of the original document.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document.

[missmini]

yeah i already complained abt that on the other thread :/ it really does not make sense....if it's a certified translator which in ur case is i think it's enough...u will not ask the notary from the consulate to come with u to swear in front of a judge or another notary....i don't think anyone would accept unless u know them personally

i think a certified copy is usually a photocopy of the same document with a notary stamp on it; i suppose the consulate gave u the translation and a copy of the original attached with the translation; that copy should also have the consulate stamp....

we need some more legal advice...i just used my logic 

[wilson]

Hi, I'm in the process of preparing my application now, and I'm getting really confused about requirements for translated documents.

My birth certificate is not in English and I got it translated at my local consulate office. The translation was notarized by the consulate office, saying that the document was translated at the consulate office. It was also stamped with the name and signature of the person and dated.  Will that count as an affidavit?? The guide on cic says that any translated document needs an affidavit, and I'm not that clear what they mean by affidavit.

Also, the guide also asks for a certified copy of the original document. What is a certified copy? Is it a notarized copy of the original document? The thing is, the checklist doesn't even indicate that I need a certified copy or an affidavit... Thanks for your help!!

Here's what it says on the CIC guide:

Any document that is not in English or in French must be accompanied by:

    * the English or French translation; and
    * an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
    * a certified copy of the original document.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document.

Yes several people used to get confused about this matter.

If you are translating the document from any person ( who is not a licensed or recognized by the local government agency, you need to submit his affidavit.

If you are translating the documents from any licensed translator there is no need of affidavit. His seal and signature on the translation paper is enough.

In your case the translation from consulate is enough. attach a photocopy of your certificate too.

[doghouse]

Thanks a lot, miss mini and wilson!!  This makes a bit more sense now..

Wilson, when you say attach a copy of the certificate, do you mean a certified copy of the document?

[missmini]

Yes several people used to get confused about this matter.

If you are translating the document from any person ( who is not a licensed or recognized by the local government agency, you need to submit his affidavit.

If you are translating the documents from any licensed translator there is no need of affidavit. His seal and signature on the translation paper is enough.

In your case the translation from consulate is enough. attach a photocopy of your certificate too.

pfiuuuu wilson u r really champion me too i believed the same (and refused to believe otherwise cuz i'm stubborn ) but it's great when other people confirm it too thank u!!!!

doghouse (loool funny name) usually the oficial translator offices will hand in the translated document and attached to it a photocopy of what was translated, both stamped...i believe the consular should have done the same if not it's better to ask them to stamp the copy of the original too (like this it's becoming a true copy)

on a side note, the way they wrote in the guides before it was much more clearer, at least for this part; now they got so many people confused