Do My Documents Need Certified Translations for an H&C Application?
Updated: Oct 26
The short answer: If a document is not in English or French, IRCC's Guide 5291 says you must include an English or French translation with it. The translation must not be done by you or a member of your family. If the translator is not a translator certified in Canada, the translation must come with an affidavit from the translator. Copies of documents may also need to be certified as true copies, and applicants and family members cannot certify them. Good documents do not guarantee approval, but an unclear or unsupported document can hurt a file, and IRCC says an incomplete application may be returned.
Why translation rules matter in H&C
An H&C application asks IRCC to make an exception. IRCC says the applicant must show sufficient and compelling grounds and give specific supporting evidence. Evidence an officer cannot read, or cannot trust, is weak evidence.
IRCC also says an incomplete application may be returned. Poor translations are an easy and avoidable problem.
What does IRCC say about translations?
According to Guide 5291:
A document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation.
Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves or by members of their family. The guide's list of family members is broad: it includes parents, guardians, siblings, spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and first cousins.
If the translator is not certified in Canada, the translator must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency. The guide says the affidavit is sworn before a notary public, commissioner of oaths or commissioner for taking affidavits in Canada, or before a notary public outside Canada.
Translators who are certified in Canada do not need to provide an affidavit.
Check IRCC's current wording before you finalize your documents, since instructions can change.
Who is a "certified translator"?
According to Guide 5291, a translator can be a person fluent in both languages or a Canadian certified translator, meaning a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators' and interpreters' organization. Ask any translator you are considering for proof of that membership.
If your translator is outside Canada or is not certified in Canada, ask for the translation together with an affidavit.
What is a certified copy?
Some documents are sent as copies instead of originals. IRCC's guide describes a certified copy as one that includes:
The statement "I certify that this is a true copy of the original document".
The name of the document.
The date of certification.
The name, official position or title, and signature of the authorized person certifying.
Applicants and their family members cannot certify copies. According to the guide, in Canada, notaries public, commissioners of oaths and commissioners for taking affidavits may certify. Outside Canada, the guide lists only a notary public. The guide notes that who is authorized varies by province, territory and country. Follow the current wording in the guide, since rules and form instructions can change.
Which documents often need this?
These are common examples. Your own checklist may differ, so use IRCC's IMM 5280 checklist and the instructions in your application package:
Passports and identity documents.
Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates.
School records and report cards from another country.
Police certificates from countries where you lived for six months or more in a row since age 18.
Letters of support or medical records written in another language.
Country-condition evidence in another language.
Keep each original, each translation and each affidavit together. Label them so the officer can match them.
Can I translate my own document if I speak both languages?
No. IRCC's guide says translations must not be done by the applicants themselves or by members of their family. This also applies to certifying copies. Even if your English is excellent, use an independent translator.
Common mistakes
Using a spouse, parent or adult child to translate.
Sending a translation with no copy of the original document.
Sending an uncertified translator's work with no affidavit.
Copies that are not certified where certification is required.
Translating only part of a long record, such as a medical report.
Missing documents for family members who are included in the application.
Frequently asked questions
Does every document need a translation?
Only documents that are not in English or French. Documents already in English or French do not need one.
Can I send translations after I file?
IRCC says an incomplete application may be returned. Include everything you need at the start. If IRCC later asks for something, respond by the deadline in the request.
Where do I check my document list?
Use the IMM 5280 checklist and IRCC's Guide 5291. See our guide on how to apply for H&C, with forms and fees.
Next steps
If you are gathering documents for an H&C application, check each one before you submit. Every H&C situation is different. E-Pathway Immigration can help you assess whether H&C considerations may be relevant, identify the evidence and questions that need attention, and understand your options. A decision remains with IRCC.
Related guides: H&C complete guide · How to apply: forms and fees · H&C letters of support · H&C service page · H&C guide index
Last reviewed: October 2026
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration options and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified representative for advice about your situation.
About the author
Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licence R711344, with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver, BC. You can verify his licence on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register.
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