Saskatchewan Translation FAQ: IRCC, SINP, ATIS, Pricing, SGI Driver's Licence, Turnaround
This page gives short, direct answers to the questions people ask most often before ordering certified translation in Saskatchewan. It is designed to help you decide what type of translation you actually need before you pay for it.
Quick answer summary
If you only need the short version, start here. Most people do not need the most expensive translation option. The correct format depends on the receiving institution, not just on the document type.
Which translation type is usually the right fit?
This comparison is the fastest way to avoid ordering the wrong service.
| Type | Best for | Typical starting price | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular certified translation | IRCC, passport applications, many schools, employers, and general official use in Canada | $59+ | 1-2 business days |
| ATIS-certified translation | SINP, courts, licensing bodies, and institutions that explicitly require a Saskatchewan-certified translator | From $109 | 2-5 business days |
| Notarized translation | Cases where the receiving institution asks for notarization in addition to translation, or where ATIS is unavailable for the language pair | From $109 | 2-4 business days |
Useful pages on our site
If you need a deeper answer than a short FAQ entry, the pages below explain pricing, ordering, and document specifics in more detail.
Pricing in Saskatchewan
Per-page and per-word prices for certified, ATIS, notarized, and business translation, with worked examples.
How to order
The full online ordering steps - upload, quote, payment, and delivery by email or Canada Post.
Types of translation
An overview of certified, ATIS-certified, notarized, and business translation routes used in Saskatchewan.
Quality and certification
How we certify translations, what every package contains, and how IRCC, SINP, and SGI verify the work.
SGI driver's licence translation
What SGI expects for foreign licence exchange in Saskatchewan, with typical pricing and turnaround.
Birth certificate translation
What route is usually enough for standard Canadian use cases and what details often get missed.
Marriage certificate translation
Common use cases, the usual certified route, and when extra certification changes the workflow.
Police certificate translation
Why IRCC and SINP should not be treated as the same translation requirement for police records.
Diploma and transcript translation
Education document guidance with page-count, multi-file, and certification pitfalls explained.
SINP translation requirements
A direct guide to the stricter ATIS-focused route that often applies to SINP submissions.
IRCC translation requirements
What IRCC usually expects from translated documents in Saskatchewan immigration files.
Languages we cover
The full list of languages we translate from and to, including rare and minority languages.
Cities we serve
Online certified translation for Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, and the rest of Saskatchewan.
Embassies and consulates
Embassy and consulate contacts often relevant when ordering translations of foreign-issued documents.
Detailed questions and answers
Are your translations accepted by IRCC for permanent residence and citizenship applications?
Yes. For IRCC applications, regular certified translation is usually sufficient.
For most immigration files submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, you do not need the more expensive ATIS route. Regular certified translation is the normal option for birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, diplomas, transcripts, military records, employment letters, and other supporting documents.
Each translation we issue for IRCC is accompanied by a signed translator declaration, full contact details, and the seal of the agency. IRCC reviewers can verify our translators if needed.
If your specific receiving officer or program (such as SINP, refugee files routed through specific case-officer teams, or WES via IRCC) names a stricter requirement, send that instruction with your file and we will switch you to the ATIS or notarized route. Read the full IRCC guide, or go to the birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificate, or diploma and transcript pages.
What type of translation does SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program) require?
SINP often expects a stricter certified format than a routine IRCC submission - usually ATIS-certified or notarized translation.
If the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program asks for translation of your supporting documents, regular certified translation is not always enough. SINP wants verifiable provincial certification, and the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan (ATIS) is the recognised provincial body. An ATIS translator carries a registration number that the program can look up.
For language pairs where ATIS certification is not available, we use the notarized route, which Saskatchewan reviewers also accept. If you are not sure which is required for your specific SINP stream, send us the requirement page from your case officer and we will confirm before you pay. Read the full SINP guide.
What is the difference between regular certified, ATIS-certified, and notarized translation?
The difference is who certifies the translation and which receiving body needs that level.
Regular certified translation is the standard option for most Canadian official-use cases (IRCC, schools, employers, most banks). It includes a translator declaration of accuracy, full translator contact information, and the agency seal. Price starts at $59 for a one-page document, turnaround is 1-2 business days.
ATIS-certified translation is completed and stamped by a translator registered with the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan. It carries a provincial certification number. Often required by SINP, WES, ICAS, SGI driver licence exchange, some courts, and some professional licensing bodies. Price from $109, turnaround 2-5 business days depending on language availability.
Notarized translation adds a notary public's verification on top of the translation. The translator swears the affidavit before the notary. This route is used when the receiving body specifically asks for notarization, or when the source language has no ATIS-certified translator available. Price from $109, turnaround 2-4 business days.
How much does a certified translation cost in Saskatchewan in 2026?
A regular certified translation starts from $59 per page for a standard one-page personal document.
Typical 2026 starting prices for the most common requests:
- Regular certified translation: from $59 per page (birth, marriage, police certificate; driver's licence; school transcript; passport stamps from $5 per stamp).
- ATIS-certified translation: from $109 per page (required by some SINP streams, WES, ICAS, and SGI licence exchange in certain cases).
- Notarized translation: from $109 per page (used when notarization is specifically requested or ATIS is unavailable).
- Business / technical / legal translation: from $0.10 to $0.25 per word depending on language and subject.
Final price depends on document length, language pair, formatting (tables, stamps, handwriting), and turnaround. We quote in writing before any work starts. Taxes (GST 5%) are not included in the prices above. See the full pricing page.
What are translation rates per word in Canada?
Per-word pricing applies to business and technical translation, starting from $0.10 to $0.25 CAD per source word.
Personal documents (certificates, licences, transcripts) are priced per document or per page, not per word - that is industry standard. The fixed-price model exists because short certificates carry a lot of certification overhead (declaration, stamp, layout) that does not scale linearly with word count.
For business and technical work, our 2026 ranges are: $0.10-$0.14 per word for general business material, $0.15-$0.20 for legal and marketing, $0.18-$0.25 for technical, medical, and patent translation. ATIS-certified business translation is priced separately on request.
If you need a price for a specific document, send it to us - a real quote takes ten minutes and is much more accurate than averaging per-word rates. See the pricing page or upload your file for a quote.
How do I get an official translation of my driver's licence in Saskatchewan?
Upload a photo of both sides of your foreign driver's licence and we deliver an SGI-accepted certified translation in 1-2 business days, starting from $59.
For foreign licence exchange in Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) accepts translations from ATIS-certified translators or notarized translations sworn before a notary public. We produce both formats; the ATIS route is the cleaner option because SGI examiners recognise the certification stamp on sight.
The order steps:
- Photograph or scan both sides of the foreign licence (corners must be readable).
- Upload through our online form.
- Approve the quote. Standard turnaround is 1-2 business days.
- Receive the certified translation by email and, if requested, a hard copy by Canada Post.
- Bring the certified translation, the original foreign licence, and your identity documents to your SGI Issuer.
Do I always need ATIS-certified translation for a driver's licence?
No. A driver's licence does not automatically require ATIS-certified translation - it depends on where the translation will be presented.
For SGI licence exchange in Saskatchewan, ATIS certification (or notarization) is typically expected. But the same translated licence may be needed for an insurance company, a car rental, a U.S. consulate, a school registration, or an employer - and in those cases a regular certified translation is usually enough.
The rule we follow: the requirement comes from the institution that will receive the document, not from the document type itself. Tell us where the licence translation will go and we confirm the right format before billing.
When do I actually need a notarized translation in Canada?
You need notarized translation only when the receiving body explicitly asks for notarization, or when ATIS certification is unavailable for your language pair.
Notarization is not the default option for IRCC, most schools, most employers, or most provincial agencies. It is used in narrower cases: some U.S. submissions, some embassy applications, some court matters, and cases where the source language has no ATIS-certified translator available.
Because notarization adds time (2-4 business days instead of 1-2) and cost (from $109 instead of $59), it is best ordered only when it is actually required. If a generic checklist says "notarized translation" without a clear reason, ask the institution first - in many cases regular certified translation will be accepted.
How long does certified translation take in Saskatchewan?
Most regular certified translations are ready in 1 to 2 business days.
Typical 2026 turnaround for online orders:
- Regular certified translation (single document): 1-2 business days.
- ATIS-certified translation: 2-5 business days, depending on language availability.
- Notarized translation: 2-4 business days.
- Long business or technical documents: quoted with the project.
- Same-day certified translation: available on request for many common documents; we confirm feasibility before charging the rush fee.
Business days do not include Saturdays, Sundays, or Canadian holidays. If you order on Friday afternoon, count Monday as day one. For urgent immigration deadlines, mention the deadline in the order notes and we will tell you within an hour whether we can meet it.
Does your turnaround include weekends or only business days?
Our standard turnaround is in business days only - Saturdays, Sundays, and Canadian statutory holidays are not counted.
If you upload a document on Friday at 5 PM with a "1-2 business day" turnaround, the work starts Monday and delivery is Tuesday or Wednesday. For weekend work, we offer paid rush options for certain document types - contact the office before paying to confirm feasibility.
Can I order certified translation online without visiting your office?
Yes. Saskatchewan service is fully online - clients in Regina, Saskatoon, and the rest of the province order entirely online without visiting any office.
The full online process:
- Upload your documents through the How to Order form. A clear phone photo is usually enough; you do not need a scanner.
- Receive a written quote with price, turnaround, and certification level.
- Approve and pay online (credit/debit card, Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay).
- Receive the certified translation by email as a stamped PDF.
- If you need a hard copy, we mail it free of charge anywhere in Canada by Canada Post.
The digital certified PDF is accepted everywhere a paper copy would be - by IRCC, schools, employers, SGI, and most other Canadian institutions.
How do I translate my birth certificate to English for use in Canada?
Upload a clear photo of the entire birth certificate (front and back) and we deliver a certified English translation in 1-2 business days, starting from $59.
Birth certificates are the single most common document we translate. They are used for immigration (IRCC), passport applications, school registration, name changes, marriage, and legal matters. The certified translation includes every visible element on the original - names, dates, registry numbers, stamps, seals, and back-side notes.
For IRCC applications the regular certified translation is enough; you do not need ATIS unless SINP specifically asks for it. If the certificate has both a short-form and long-form version, send the long-form - IRCC and most other Canadian receivers prefer it.
Is there an official IRCC or ATIS certified translator list, and are you on it?
IRCC does not publish an "approved translator list" - they accept work from any qualified translator. ATIS publishes a directory of its certified members.
What this means in practice: there is no IRCC list to join. Any agency or independent translator can produce IRCC-acceptable work as long as the four requirements are met (complete translation, translator full name and contact details, signed declaration of accuracy, and a sworn affidavit if the translator is not a member of a recognised association). Our certified translations meet all four.
ATIS maintains a directory of its certified members. The translators we use for ATIS-certified work are listed there - if you need to verify, we can give you the certification number and you can look it up before payment.
For SGI driver licence exchange, Saskatchewan Government Insurance does not maintain a separate "approved" list either - they recognise ATIS certification and notarial affidavits.
Where can I find a certified translator near me in Regina, Saskatoon, or Prince Albert?
Saskatchewan service is online. We serve Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Swift Current, and the rest of the province through online ordering with Canada Post delivery.
There is no walk-in office in Saskatchewan - the entire process happens online. The certified PDF you receive by email is accepted by IRCC, SINP, SGI, schools, and employers; a paper copy is mailed free of charge anywhere in Canada when needed.
If you prefer to speak to someone before uploading, call (306) 737-2051 or (306) 518-8040 (WhatsApp available on the second number). See full contact information, including Telegram and email.
What documents do you translate most often for private clients?
The most common personal documents are driver's licences, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, diplomas, transcripts, passports, and immigration records.
These documents are ordered most often for immigration to Canada (IRCC, SINP), school and university admissions (WES, ICAS), SGI licence exchange, work permits, name changes after marriage, and court matters. We also translate civil records (divorce, name change), military records, medical records, and identity cards.
For each document we have a dedicated page with the specific requirements: driver's licences, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, and diplomas and transcripts.
What languages do you translate from and to?
We work with more than 50 languages into English or French for certified translation, and over 250 languages for business and technical translation.
The most common language pairs for certified translation in Saskatchewan: Spanish-English, French-English, Mandarin Chinese-English, Arabic-English, Russian-English, Ukrainian-English, Punjabi-English, Hindi-English, Korean-English, Vietnamese-English, Tagalog/Filipino-English, Persian/Farsi-English, Urdu-English, Portuguese-English, Tamil-English, and Romanian-English.
For ATIS-certified translation the language list is narrower because it depends on certified-translator availability. If we cannot offer ATIS for your language pair, we offer the notarized route instead, which is acceptable to IRCC, SINP, and most other Canadian institutions.
For rare and minority languages (Tigrinya, Oromo, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish, Burmese, Khmer, Lao, and similar) we have specialised translators on call - the turnaround may be slightly longer but the format is identical.
Do I send you the original document or is a scan enough?
A clear scan or phone photo is enough. We do not need the original.
Both IRCC and most other Canadian receiving bodies accept certified translations made from a clear copy of the original document. The certification statement refers to the copy that the translator worked from, not to the physical original. There is no need to mail us your only birth certificate or passport.
What matters is image quality: all four corners visible, no glare on stamps, handwriting readable. If your photo cuts off a corner or has a shadow over a stamp, we will ask for a re-shoot before billing.
For documents with a back side (civil certificates, driver's licences), send both sides even if the back looks blank - registry notes and authentication marks are often there.
What if I need translation for a court, school, WES, or another special-use case?
Special-use cases should be routed by the receiving institution, not guessed from the document type alone.
Courts may require ATIS-certified translation, notarization, or even a sworn translator depending on the file type. Universities and WES require ATIS-certified work for credential evaluation. Same-day requests need a feasibility check before payment because some language pairs and certification routes cannot be rushed.
Use the relevant page first and include the exact institution name in your order notes - that is the single best way to avoid a re-do.
Do you also provide business and corporate translation?
Yes. We translate legal, technical, marketing, financial, and corporate materials in addition to personal documents.
Typical business work includes contracts, NDAs, terms of service, privacy policies, technical manuals, product documentation, marketing collateral, websites, employee handbooks, financial statements, and patent applications. We also handle AI translation post-editing (MTPE) for clients who have a draft from ChatGPT, DeepL, or Google Translate and need it brought up to publishable quality.
Business pricing typically starts at $0.10 to $0.25 per word, depending on language pair, subject matter, urgency, and the number of revision rounds requested. NDA is provided on request, and we never use client material to train public AI models.
Still not sure which option you need?
Upload the document and name the exact receiving institution. That is the fastest way to confirm whether regular certified, ATIS-certified, or notarized translation is the correct format before you pay.