Certified Translation for Canada from Nigeria
Nigerian documents for IRCC: NPC birth certificate, WAEC, NYSC, police certificate. What needs translating, what needs certifying as a true copy, and the difference.
How do you get your Nigeria documents translated for IRCC?
From Nigeria, with English as an official language, most of your file needs no translation. What remains are the pieces in Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa: Asiatis translates them with an affidavit, the route IRCC provides without a certified translator. A certified true copy is a separate step, done by an authorized person such as a notary.
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 Nigeria documents
Under their local names, because that is what appears on your papers.
| Local name | Canadian equivalent | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| NPC Birth Certificate | Birth certificate | Issued by the National Population Commission. A court-sworn Age Declaration sometimes stands in its place — IRCC treats it differently. |
| Sworn Affidavit of Age / Declaration of Age | Sworn declaration of age | Common where the birth was never registered; the document is in English, but its status needs explaining in the file. |
| WAEC / NECO Certificate | Secondary school certificate | Standardized regional documents with their own grading system, which credential assessment examines closely. |
| NYSC Certificate | National service certificate | Attests the compulsory post-graduation service year; useful to account for a period in the applicant's history. |
| Police Character Certificate | Police certificate | Issued by the Nigeria Police Force; presentation varies and handwritten entries are common. |
Source languages handled
- English
- Yoruba
- Igbo
- Hausa
Apostille
Not a Hague Convention country. Nigeria does not apply the Apostille Convention: authentication goes through legalization, which takes longer. That does not affect the translation requirement, which remains separate.
Administrative particulars
- •With English as an official language, much of the file needs no translation — but it often needs certifying as a true copy, which is a different thing.
- •Documents in Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa mostly concern customary civil status and religious acts.
- •Name spellings vary considerably between documents; the discrepancy must be explained rather than silently corrected.
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 Nigeria 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?
Nigeria does not apply the Apostille Convention: authentication goes through legalization, which takes longer. That does not affect the translation requirement, which remains separate.
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.