Birth Certificate Translation for Canada

The multilingual formula copy: confirm acceptance first

Civil registry offices in Türkiye can also issue a birth record as a multilingual international document, a formula copy. The countries that accept this multilingual copy, however, are for the most part parties to the relevant international convention; since Canada falls outside that framework, IRCC will usually want a full translation of the document into English or French. Confirming from the IRCC guidance whether the multilingual copy is accepted therefore saves you either an unnecessary translation or a refusal. If the same document is also going to a provincial authority, that authority’s expectations may diverge from those of the federal application, so the acceptable form has to be verified separately for each recipient.

Consistency in converting Turkish letters

The difficulty met most often in transferring names is how Turkish letters are to be shown in English or French spelling. The governing principle is not to interpret the letters phonetically but to follow the official spelling in the person’s passport exactly; however the name is written there, the translation uses that spelling. Showing a “ç” as “c” in one place and “ch” in another creates an inconsistency within a single document and makes it harder for IRCC, or for the sponsor, to match the identity and the family link. Where a person has two or more given names the order of the names is preserved, and separate fields such as the mother’s maiden name are not conflated. Province and district names appearing as the place of birth are not translated but left in their original spelling. The date is likewise transferred as it stands; only where necessary is the name of the month written in the target language, and the day and the year are not altered. Because several documents belonging to the same family are read together in sponsorship files, having every name look the same across them is what keeps the application moving smoothly.

Transliteration of personal and place names

The most critical point in translating a birth certificate is the transfer of personal and place names. Names containing special Turkish letters must match the passport spelling exactly; an inconsistent conversion makes one and the same person look like someone else and leads to the file being put on hold. The place of birth and the names of provinces and districts keep their original spelling. The names of the mother, the father and the child, together with the date and place of birth, are transferred without interpretation, and the translation carries identity details in the spelling used in the official documents. In sponsorship files the consistency of these fields, which prove the family link, matters especially.

An accredited translator or an affidavit

IRCC expects the translation to be done by an accredited translator registered with a provincial translators’ association (ATIO, OTTIAQ, STIBC); if the translator is not registered, a sworn declaration (affidavit) is attached to the translation. The translator’s name, membership details and signature must be visible on the translation. Seals and signatures in the document are marked with a [Seal] / [Signature] note; on an e-Devlet copy bearing a QR code, [QR code] and [e-signature verification] are indicated, and no attempt is made to decode the contents of the code.

The difference between a birth certificate and a civil registry extract

A birth certificate and a civil registry extract are different documents; the first records the event of birth, the second the person’s current registration details in the civil register. Finding out at the outset which of the two IRCC or the provincial authority wants saves you from having the wrong document translated and starting the process over. The translation shows the type of the document correctly in its title; where there are marginal annotations (marriage, divorce, acknowledgement of paternity), these too are translated in full, since they show the person’s marital status and family link.

Apostille or consular legalisation?

Canada’s position under the Hague Apostille Convention changed recently; confirm whether the document is to be submitted with an apostille or by way of consular legalisation, both from the official HCCH list and from the authority itself. Before delivery:

• Verify whether the multilingual copy or a full translation is the one required.
• Confirm the apostille or consular legalisation route from an official source.
• Meet the accredited translator or affidavit condition; check that the marginal annotations have been translated.

Canada has two official languages; confirm the target language before you apply. You can see the level of certification other documents require on our document types page, review the cost on our pricing page, and upload your document to request a quote. Translations are handled from our single office (Ankara Kızılay). The document required and the level of certification can differ from one institution to another, so ask in advance.