Notarized Translation: When It Is Required Beyond Certification
Published:
Start With the Exact Wording in the Request
In Saskatchewan, the first clue is the wording used by the office reviewing your file. IRCC, SINP, schools, professional bodies, banks, and courts may ask for a certified translation, a notarized translation, or both. If the instruction says “certified translation,” a translator’s certification statement is usually the core requirement; add notarization only if the same office or another authority specifically asks for it.
What a Certified Translation Usually Means
A certified translation normally includes the translated text plus a signed statement from the translator or translation provider confirming that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge. For Canadian immigration and many Saskatchewan application files, this certification is often what makes the document submission-ready. The original document may still be requested, so keep a clear copy and follow the authority’s instructions on format and delivery.
When Notarization Is the Extra Step
A notarized translation adds a notary public’s verification of the translator’s or provider’s signature and identity, not a second guarantee that every word is correct. Notarization is commonly requested by courts, financial institutions, some educational institutions, or bodies outside Canada, and occasionally by a Saskatchewan office with its own policy. Treat “notarized” as an additional requirement on top of a certified translation, not as a replacement for certification.
How to Confirm Before You Order
Before you pay for notarization, check the written instruction from the receiving authority and ask whether they need “certified,” “notarized,” or “certified and notarized” wording. If you are preparing documents for IRCC, SINP, a Saskatchewan credential assessment, or a local institution, share the exact request with your translation provider so the certification and notarization steps match. When in doubt, get the requirement in writing; an unnecessary notary stamp can add cost and delay without improving acceptance.
Translation Agency of Saskatchewan
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