Why translations get sworn
When you file a document that isn't in the language a court, immigration authority or foreign body works in, they usually require a translation plus evidence the translation is accurate. That evidence is often an affidavit or declaration from the translator, sworn before a commissioner or notary, stating their competence in both languages and that the translation is complete and accurate.
Certified translator vs translator's affidavit
A translation by a certified member of a provincial body such as ATIO generally carries the translator's certification seal and may not need a separate affidavit. When the translator is competent but not certified, receiving bodies — including IRCC for many applications — typically require the translator's sworn affidavit instead. Check the receiving body's current rules; they differ and they change.
Who swears what
It is the translator who swears the declaration, not you. The person who did the translation appears before the commissioner with ID, the source document and the translation, and swears to the accuracy. A party to the application generally should not act as their own translator — many authorities, including IRCC, do not accept translations by the applicant or family members.
What we do and don't do
We commission the translator's declaration and can notarize copies of the source document to travel with it. We can also help coordinate a qualified translator where you don't have one. We do not translate documents ourselves, and commissioning a declaration is not a certification that the translation is correct — that responsibility stays with the translator.
Going abroad afterward
If the translated package is for use outside Canada, ask whether the destination requires the notarized bundle to be authenticated or apostilled. Doing the notarization with that in mind avoids re-executing everything later.