<p>If you're applying for Canadian immigration and come from countries like Brazil, Spain, Mexico or Colombia, you might be used to needing a <strong>“sworn translator”</strong> (tradutor juramentado / traductor jurado) to handle your official documents.</p>
<p>But here’s the thing: <strong>Canada doesn’t use sworn translators</strong>. Instead, we have a different system based on <strong>certified translators</strong> regulated by professional bodies. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to look for when submitting translations to IRCC or other Canadian institutions.</p>
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<h2>What Is a Sworn Translator?</h2>
<p>In many civil law countries (like Brazil, Spain, France, or Mexico), a <strong>sworn translator</strong> is someone who is officially appointed by a court or government body to provide <em>legally valid translations</em>.</p>
<p>These translators:</p>
<ul>
<li>Often pass a government-administered exam</li>
<li>Hold an official title (e.g., "Tradutor Público e Intérprete Comercial" in Brazil)</li>
<li>Stamp and sign documents that are automatically considered valid in court</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>🟡 Example: In Brazil, only a <strong>“tradutor juramentado”</strong> can produce official translations accepted by public authorities.</p>
</blockquote>
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<h2>Why Canada Doesn’t Use “Sworn Translators”</h2>
<p>Canada uses a different model. Rather than court-appointed translators, we rely on a system of <strong>certified translators</strong> who are members of a professional association like:</p>
<ul>
<li>ATIO (Ontario)</li>
<li>OTTIAQ (Quebec)</li>
<li>STIBC (British Columbia)</li>
<li>CTTIC (national umbrella body)</li>
</ul>
<p>A <strong>certified translation in Canada</strong> includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>The translator’s <strong>seal, signature, and membership number</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>statement of accuracy</strong></li>
<li>A copy of the original document attached</li>
</ul>
<p>This is what <strong>IRCC and most Canadian institutions require</strong>, not a sworn translation.</p>
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<h2>If You’re From a Country That Uses Sworn Translators...</h2>
<p>You <strong>do not need</strong> to hire a sworn translator in your home country. In fact, IRCC may not accept a translation unless it's:</p>
<ul>
<li>Translated <strong>by a certified translator in Canada</strong> (or in some cases, abroad by a professional whose credentials can be verified)</li>
<li>Accompanied by the original document in the source language</li>
<li>Stamped and signed as per Canadian standards</li>
</ul>
<p>That’s why it’s often safer to work with a <strong>certified Canadian translator</strong>—especially if you live in Canada or are applying through a Canadian visa office.</p>
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<h2>Need Help Translating Your Official Documents?</h2>
<p>I offer <strong>certified translations</strong> from:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Portuguese <-> English</strong> (🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇹 Portugal)</li>
<li><strong>Spanish <->English</strong> (🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇦🇷 Argentina, etc.)</li>
<li><strong>French <->English</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>All translations are IRCC-compliant and include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Certification stamp and declaration of accuracy</li>
<li>Fast digital delivery + optional hard copy</li>
<li>15+ years of experience and a track record of accepted documents</li>
</ul>
<p>👉 <a href="https://www.lorettamurphytranslations.com/contact" target="_blank"><strong>Get in touch today</strong></a> to receive a quote or upload your documents securely.</p>
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<h3>About the Author</h3>
<p><strong>Loretta Murphy</strong> is a certified translator, CTTIC exam marker, and former board member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario. She specializes in immigration and legal translation from Portuguese, Spanish, and French to English.</p>