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Does the CIC require Religious Documents to be translated into English/French?

The Realist

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Sep 4, 2014
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Hey Guys,
While living with my wife down in Cuba, i volunteered to be the Padrino [Godfather] to her Second Cousin. I attended his Baptism, and for our PR application for my Wife, i am thinking of submitting the Certifiacte of Baptism from the Catholic Church, as it has my Name on it. So, of course, the Certificate is in Espanol.

Just a query:
The sponsor Guide for Perm. Res. 3999 states that all Documents must be translated into English or French.

1/For the purposes of immigartion and the CIC, what is their definition of a "Document"??

2/For the purposes of CIC, is their technical definition of a Document: any "Offical" Document, ie: a Document issued by a Government Dept, or Law Office?

3/ Where do "Religious" Documents stand, in their definition?

4/ Are only these "Offical" Documents required to be translated...or is it prudent to err on the side of caution, and translate/notarise even religious documents?

Any Info would be greatly appreciated,

Cheers!
 

canuck_in_uk

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May 4, 2012
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Hi

The baptism certificate is not a required document and therefore does not need to be formally translated and notarized.
 

Immed

Full Member
Jan 16, 2015
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If you are sending it in as evidence to support your story, have the document translated. Otherwise you can't expect an officer to understand it or personally have a translator for the document.
 

ElaBella

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Immed said:
If you are sending it in as evidence to support your story, have the document translated. Otherwise you can't expect an officer to understand it or personally have a translator for the document.
Exactly what Immed said... I called CIC and asked them about translated documents, and they literally said ANYTHING that's not in English, needs to be translated, and certified. We even had receipts translated and notarized the photocopies.
 

canuck_in_uk

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May 4, 2012
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ElaBella said:
Exactly what Immed said... I called CIC and asked them about translated documents, and they literally said ANYTHING that's not in English, needs to be translated, and certified. We even had receipts translated and notarized the photocopies.
Incorrect. Official documents that are required and are not in English must be formally translated and certified. Unofficial stuff such as texts, chats, utility bills, bank statements etc. can be translated by the applicant and do not need to be certified.
 

ElaBella

Full Member
Sep 5, 2015
27
0
Kelowna, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Vienna
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-09-2015
AOR Received.
17-11-2015 (AOR1) /// 30-11-2015 (SA) /// 14-12-2015 (AOR2)
File Transfer...
09-12-2015
Med's Done....
15-08-2015
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
07-01-2016
VISA ISSUED...
18-01-2016
LANDED..........
08-03-2016
canuck_in_uk said:
Incorrect. Official documents that are required and are not in English must be formally translated and certified. Unofficial stuff such as texts, chats, utility bills, bank statements etc. can be translated by the applicant and do not need to be certified.
I asked the CIC if I could translate unofficial documents myself, and they told me no - the applicant, or any relatives/friends/etc were not allowed to translate the documents, and the procedure in the guide had to be followed (certified copy, official translation etc).
 

canuck_in_uk

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May 4, 2012
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ElaBella said:
I asked the CIC if I could translate unofficial documents myself, and they told me no - the applicant, or any relatives/friends/etc were not allowed to translate the documents, and the procedure in the guide had to be followed (certified copy, official translation etc).
The call centre is well-known for giving out completely wrong information. Call three times asking the same thing and you will get three different answers.

The certification/translation process is only required for official documents. Everything else can be translated by the applicant or whoever.
 

ElaBella

Full Member
Sep 5, 2015
27
0
Kelowna, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Vienna
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-09-2015
AOR Received.
17-11-2015 (AOR1) /// 30-11-2015 (SA) /// 14-12-2015 (AOR2)
File Transfer...
09-12-2015
Med's Done....
15-08-2015
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
07-01-2016
VISA ISSUED...
18-01-2016
LANDED..........
08-03-2016
canuck_in_uk said:
The call centre is well-known for giving out completely wrong information. Call three times asking the same thing and you will get three different answers.

The certification/translation process is only required for official documents. Everything else can be translated by the applicant or whoever.
Very true, they can be very questionable. I did fork out the extra $50 for certified translations though, I would hate for that to be a reason to delay the application by some off chance ::)