Certified Translation for Canada from France
French documents for Canada: when is translation required, and when is it pointless? Birth certificate, family record book, criminal record bulletin, degrees. Canadian certified translator.
How do you get your France documents translated for IRCC?
From France, a file destined for Quebec generally requires no translation at all: MIFI accepts French documents as they stand. It is for the rest of Canada, and for a credential assessment, that a certified English version becomes necessary. Asiatis produces it through a Canadian certified translator.
Can a translation done in your country be used?
Yes, under certain conditions. IRCC treats as certified a translator who is officially recognized or authorized in the country where the translation is done, and the MIFI admits, outside Canada, a translator who is a member of a professional order or authorized to act as one. A sworn translator in your country may therefore qualify.
Three points still send these translations back. They must be into English or French, not another language. The officer must be able to verify the translator's status: a seal or note written in another language has to be translated too. And the MIFI asks for a paper original bearing the translator's name and seal, stapled to the source document.
Without a recognized translator, the translation must come with an affidavit: the translator swears, before a notary or the equivalent, that the translation is accurate. A Canadian certified translator spares you these checks: their status can be confirmed with their order, and their declaration travels with the translation.
Sworn or certified translator: what differs in CanadaMost translated France documents
Under their local names, because that is what appears on your papers.
| Local name | Canadian equivalent | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Extrait d'acte de naissance avec filiation | Birth certificate | The "with filiation" version is what IRCC expects; the plain extract does not name the parents. |
| Livret de famille | Family record book | No Canadian equivalent: it gathers marriage, births and marginal entries. Useful to establish several relationships at once. |
| Bulletin n° 3 du casier judiciaire | Police certificate | Bulletin no. 3 is the one an individual can request, and the one IRCC accepts. |
| Diplôme et relevé de notes | Degree and transcript | For an application to Quebec, translation is rarely needed; for the rest of Canada and for a credential assessment, it is. |
| Contrat de PACS | Civil partnership agreement | Used to establish a common-law relationship; its legal nature needs explaining, having no exact Canadian equivalent. |
Source languages handled
- French
Apostille
Hague Convention country. France applies the Apostille Convention, issued by the courts of appeal. For a file destined for Quebec, translation rarely arises — this is the corridor where the least translation is needed.
Administrative particulars
- •For a Quebec file (MIFI), French documents are accepted as they are: the one corridor where translation is often unnecessary.
- •For IRCC outside Quebec, translation into English is still required.
- •Watch the administrative terminology gap between France and Quebec: "mairie", "préfecture" and "académie" have no direct equivalent.
A fully remote process
You do not need to travel, send originals, or open a Canadian bank account.
- 1
Upload
A clear phone photo is enough in most cases. Upload is encrypted; you never send your originals.
- 2
Quote and international payment
The quote arrives by email. Payment is by international card — no Canadian bank account needed.
- 3
Certified PDF
You receive the translation as a PDF, carrying the certified translator's declaration and seal. That is the format IRCC accepts.
- 4
Time zones
We work in writing, which neutralizes the gap: you write on your clock, the answer is there when you wake up.
- 5
Optional postal delivery
If a body insists on a signed paper copy, we mail it — but most immigration steps are settled in PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Will a translation done by a sworn translator in France be accepted?
It can be: IRCC admits a translator officially recognized in the country where the translation is done. The translation must still be into English or French, and the officer must be able to verify the translator's status, seal included. Otherwise, you need a translation by a Canadian certified translator, or a translation accompanied by an affidavit.
Do I need an apostille before having my documents translated?
France applies the Apostille Convention, issued by the courts of appeal. For a file destined for Quebec, translation rarely arises — this is the corridor where the least translation is needed.
Do I have to send my original documents to Canada?
No. You upload a legible photo or scan; the originals stay with you. The certified translation comes back as a PDF, the format IRCC accepts for almost every step.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
A certified translation is delivered in 2 to 3 business days, and express handling in 24 to 48 hours is available. Certified translation is $69 per 250-word page, with a minimum charge of $89 per project — that minimum is what applies to a short document.
How do I pay from another country?
By international card, with no Canadian bank account. The quote arrives by email and you pay online; no travel is needed.
Have your documents checked before you file
Send us a photo of your documents: we tell you which ones need translating and which do not. Quote within 1 business hour.
Get a quoteApplying from another country?
All our certified translation servicesIRCC requirements and authentication regimes change. We tell you what applies to your file at quoting time; this page does not replace the official instructions of the program you are applying to.