The eight provincial orders
A certified translator belongs to a provincial order or association of translators. Canada has eight; each certifies its members for specific language combinations.
| Order | Name | Province | Admitted by the MIFI | Seal verifiable online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTTIAQ | Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec | Quebec | Yes | No |
| ATIO | Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario | Ontario | Yes | Yes |
| STIBC | Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia | British Columbia | Yes | Yes |
| ATIA | Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta | Alberta | No | No |
| ATIS | Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan | No | No |
| ATIM | Association of Translators and Interpreters of Manitoba | Manitoba | No | No |
| CTINB | Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick | New Brunswick | Yes | No |
| ATINS | Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia | No | No |
Which bodies accept what
IRCC accepts every provincial order; the MIFI admits only four: OTTIAQ, ATIO, STIBC and CTINB. The rule is always set by the receiving body, never by the translator.
| Receiving body | Translator admitted |
|---|---|
| IRCC (federal) | Certified translator from any Canadian provincial order, or a translation accompanied by an affidavit |
| MIFI (Quebec) | OTTIAQ, ATIO, STIBC and CTINB only — rule published on quebec.ca |
| Other Quebec bodies | Generally an OTTIAQ translator (the SAAQ requires it); check the receiving body's requirement |
| Bodies outside Quebec | We assign a certified translator from a recognized provincial order; the receiving body's requirement prevails |
| Rare languages | Non-certified translator + affidavit sworn before a commissioner of oaths |
In practice: a translation signed by an ATIA, ATIS, ATIM or ATINS member works for IRCC but not for the MIFI. For a Quebec file, Asiatis assigns a translator from one of the four admitted orders; the translation then serves the federal step as is.
Special cases
Not every language combination has a translator in every order. When no OTTIAQ translator exists for a combination, we check the receiving body’s requirement before starting.
- Combination with no OTTIAQ translator: we check the receiving body’s requirement before starting.
- MIFI: the paper original of the translation, stapled to the source document, may be required at any time; the PDF is for the Arrima upload.
- Document going abroad: the destination country’s requirement applies, not a Canadian order’s.
Verifying the translator’s seal
A certified translation carries the translator’s signature, seal, order and membership number: those four details let you check their membership with the order.
- Digital seal verifiable online: ATIO and STIBC.
- Asiatis deliverable: one PDF holding the translation and a copy of the source document, under the same seal.
- Paper copy on request, with shipping fees.
Rare languages and affidavits
For a language with no certified translator in any Canadian order, the translation is done by a non-certified translator who swears to its accuracy before a commissioner of oaths. IRCC expressly provides for this form.
- Asiatis never presents a translation under affidavit as a certified translation.
- Example: Tagalog, for which no provincial order certifies translators.
Frequently asked questions
What is a certified translator in Canada?
A certified translator belongs to a provincial order or association of translators, such as OTTIAQ in Quebec or ATIO in Ontario. The order certifies them for specific language combinations, and their signature with their seal makes the translation certified.
Is a translation by an ATIO member accepted in Quebec?
By the MIFI, yes: ATIO is one of the four admitted orders (OTTIAQ, ATIO, STIBC and CTINB). By IRCC, yes as well. For other Quebec bodies, the requirement varies from one body to another: we check the receiving body’s requirement before starting.
Is a translation by an ATIA member accepted by the MIFI?
No: the MIFI admits only OTTIAQ, ATIO, STIBC and CTINB. A translation by an ATIA, ATIS, ATIM or ATINS member remains valid for IRCC.
How can I verify a certified translation?
Find the translator’s signature, seal, order and membership number, then check their membership with that order. For ATIO and STIBC, the digital seal can also be verified online.
What if no certified translator exists for my language?
The translation is done by a non-certified translator and accompanied by an affidavit sworn before a commissioner of oaths. IRCC accepts this form; check other bodies’ requirements before ordering.