Certified Translation for Canada from Philippines
Philippine documents for IRCC: PSA records, CENOMAR and NBI are already in English. Tagalog pieces are translated with an affidavit, fully remote.
How do you get your Philippines documents translated for IRCC?
From the Philippines, most of your documents are already in English: only the Tagalog or Cebuano pieces, and handwritten annotations, need translating. No certified translator covers Tagalog in Canada: Asiatis provides the translation with an affidavit, the route IRCC provides in that case. You have nothing to sign locally.
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 Philippines documents
Under their local names, because that is what appears on your papers.
| Local name | Canadian equivalent | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| PSA Birth Certificate | Birth certificate | The reference document, on Philippine Statistics Authority security paper. Handwritten marginal annotations are part of the document and get translated. |
| PSA Marriage Certificate (CENOMAR) | Marriage certificate / certificate of no marriage | The CENOMAR attests to no prior marriage; IRCC frequently asks for it in spousal sponsorship. |
| NBI Clearance | National police clearance | Issued by the National Bureau of Investigation; its short validity means timing the translation to the filing. |
| Transcript of Records et Diploma | Transcript and diploma | Largely in English already; the seal, Latin honours and institutional annotations still need handling. |
| Barangay Certificate | Local residency certificate | A community document in free format, often handwritten — the one that needs the most care. |
Source languages handled
- Tagalog
- Cebuano
- English
Apostille
Hague Convention country. The Philippines has applied the Apostille Convention since 2019: the DFA affixes the apostille to public documents. It bears on the original, not on the translation.
Administrative particulars
- •A large share of Philippine documents is already in English: the quote often covers only two or three pieces.
- •Recent PSA documents carry a verification code that we reproduce as is.
- •Compound names and suffixes (Jr., III) follow the passport spelling.
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 Philippines 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?
The Philippines has applied the Apostille Convention since 2019: the DFA affixes the apostille to public documents. It bears on the original, not on the translation.
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.