Where to translate birth certificate

[pocheros 101]

Hello everyone,

I just returned packet 3 to Montreal for my K1 visa. I pretty much have everything ready- vaccination record, police certificates, evidence, etc.- except for my birth certificate translation (it's in French.)

My problem is that everywhere I look up immigration services or translation services the companies don't look terribly professional. I can't figure out if there's any official kind of service I can use (like Service Canada) that I know is reliable... I live in Brampton so I have a feeling there's a lot of scammers out there trying to take advantage of immigrants.

Does anyone have any experience with this? It's kind of frustrating And yeah, packet 3 specifically states that "Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations" plus I want to have a translated copy handy once I move to the US.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[pocheros 101]

Edit: Someone just suggested to me that I call 1 800 Oh Canada and ask if they know of any service that's widely used for this purpose. It's late now so I'll call tomorrow, however if anyone has any information they'd like to chip in it's appreciated

(I wonder why this forum never lets me edit my posts? *grumble*)

[Jill & Jeff 3]

Just an FYI, you don't need to translate your birth certificate if you're interviewing in Montreal. My husband's birth certificate is in French and when I called NVC, they informed me that as long as the birth certificate is in either English, or the language of the consulate you're interviewing at, it does not need to be translated.

We submitted everything without having his birth certificate translated. I got a nasty question and attitude about it when we went in for the interview, but that was it. There was no real issue with not having it translated. Save yourself the $50.

J-

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Isn't the birth certificate required again at some point in the process in the United States? Or am I mistaken? If it is, wouldn't it be better to have it translated into English? Just curious.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Isn't the birth certificate required again at some point in the process in the United States? Or am I mistaken? If it is, wouldn't it be better to have it translated into English? Just curious.

Yes - think of going to somewhere like the SSN office or DMV in some god-forsaken spot in IOWA - who do you think is going to know French I think it would be wise to have the translation done and get it over with. Easier to find someone qualified to do French translation in Canada than in the US.

My 2 cents - you're moving to a country which only have 1 official language (and sometimes that's pushing it lol )

[pocheros 101]

Just an FYI, you don't need to translate your birth certificate if you're interviewing in Montreal. My husband's birth certificate is in French and when I called NVC, they informed me that as long as the birth certificate is in either English, or the language of the consulate you're interviewing at, it does not need to be translated.

We submitted everything without having his birth certificate translated. I got a nasty question and attitude about it when we went in for the interview, but that was it. There was no real issue with not having it translated. Save yourself the $50.

J-

This had been gone over in a previous thread... One poster was actually required to provide a translated birth certificate. DoS does not require translations; however, the consulate may have stricter guidelines than DoS, and the packet 3 instructions explicitly ask for all documents to be in English. There is no clause about the official language of the country in which the interview is taking place- that's only DoS. Although they may not ask for it at the interview it will be required at some point in the US. Which is why I'm in such a tizzy over it

The fact that someone was nasty about it indicates that it may cause problems if I don't have a translation. The only difference is if I get an interviewer with a really bad mood that day. Although I doubt I'll be denied a visa it could certainly unnecessarily protract the process if they want me to produce an english version. This is the last I want... I'd rather waste my money and have all my bases covered.

No French canadian VJers with any experience? Unfortunately I did not get a chance to call any government offices as I worked late today and then they'll be closed tomorrow and Sunday. *sigh*

Edited May 13, 2011 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

Well, I checked the website for etat civil and if I've interpreted it correctly they will only make copies of your birth certificate in the language in which the original was made. I also found a translator in the phone book whose website doesn't look terribly shady and e-mailed them. Come monday I'll be calling both of these places just to see what I can do. Hopefully I can figure something out... It's so silly that they require a translation because a birth certificate only has a bit of information, like the parent's names and the date. How hard could it possibly be to figure out? Ah, bureaucracy...

Edited May 13, 2011 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

Jill & Jeff: Also (omg triple posting), it's worth noting that the K1 visa requires translations but the guidelines for IR1/CR1 are different.

[SF2007 48]

Your Quebec French birth certificate cannot be provided in English by the province or Canada. It's only provided in the language it was issued (French). The government won't help you with that.

You need to research for certified translators in your area, ask them for quotes and have it translated. Most translators will accept you scan and email your original so they can start the work but they will request to see the original before stamping their seal on it and delivering the translated copies. Mine provided 2 certified translated copies marked with the translator association's seal.

Some people have a different opinion about it but Montreal's consulate did request to see my translated copy. Down the road you will need to have it translated anyway as no one will accept an original French document in the US without requesting a certified translation. I figured why not do it right away and be done with it?

[pocheros 101]

Thanks for the input guys I feel a little more reassured that I'm not "wasting" my money hehe. Crossing my fingers that my phone calls and e-mails lead to someone who can help!

[ozone_1974 1]

I had to have some of my documents translated from French to English as well back in 2008/2009 and used a certified translator from Montreal. She is a member of the OTTIAQ "Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec" and I must admit she did an outstanding job. She is an American living in Montreal and does this from her apartment (right next to the Olympic stadium) .. very fast, not too expensive and never had a problem with any of the documents she translated !

She gives you as many copies as you asks for and certify each translated documents with a permanent OTTIAQ seal.

I do not know if we are allowed to post direct references in the forums but if we are then I will post her name here for anyone interested

Edited May 16, 2011 by ozone_1974

[pocheros 101]

Ozone: Did she get them notarized as well? And did you simply email her your stuff and have the translations in hard copy mailed back to you, or did you have it done in person?

I'm trying to get this done now, before I go to Montreal, so I don't have to spend too much time there and spend money on a hotel and so I have everything in order. Regardless, if you wouldn't mind, could I have a referral, just in case? I don't know if this forum has a private messaging system. If not and you can't post it publicly I can give you my email

[pocheros 101]

Well, I found that the Centre for Education & Training in Mississauga does do certified translations, but they aren't notarized. She said that translations come with an affidavit, however. I know they're not interchangeable but I wonder if the embassy will get picky over it? Sigh... :S

[ozone_1974 1]

Well, I found that the Centre for Education & Training in Mississauga does do certified translations, but they aren't notarized. She said that translations come with an affidavit, however. I know they're not interchangeable but I wonder if the embassy will get picky over it? Sigh... :S

I had it done in person .. one could try to email the documents but I always prefer to have a person to person contact when it comes to important documents.

She does not notarized the documents, she will certify them to be valid and accurately translated. I had mine translated and certified by the OTTIAQ translator and then notarized by a notary from Montreal.

For those who want to search for a certified translator, this will make your life easier

Note : when you search, make sure to check the "translation of official documents" box.

Link here >> OTTIAQ certified translators directory

Edited May 16, 2011 by ozone_1974

[Piefre 15]

Is it necessary to notorize the translated birth certificates? I got a translated birth certificate with the translator's seal and statement of accuracy at the bottom of the translated document. Does anyone know if Vancouver would require this document to be notorized as well?