Quick Certified Translation Guide for Malaysia <> Canada (2025)
1. Procedure
1.1 All documents not in English or French must be translated into English or French. [1]
1.2 For documents issued in Malaysia, the Government of Canada only accepts the following translation stamps:
(i) Dewan Bahasa dan Pustake (DBP); or
(ii) Malaysian Translators Association (MTA).
This is because, in Malaysia, only these two organizations have seals or stamps that show the translator’s membership number. [2]
Translations performed by ITBM and the High Court may be rejected for the same reason.
1.3 MYLegalTrans’ team is certified by:
(i) DBP; and
(ii) MTA.
1.4 The Government of Canada requires Certified Translation with the following details:
(i) a seal or stamp in English that shows the translator’s membership number of aprofessional translation association;
(ii) a statement of no personal relationship;
(iii) a statement of no professional relationship other than that between a translator and client; and
(iv) a statement of understanding that the Certified Translation is valid indefinitely unless the original document has changed or has expired; and
(v) the translator’s official stamp or seal and signature. [3]
2. FAQs
2.1 What does Certified Translation mean? How is it different from non-certified translation?
The Government of Canada does not accept translations completed by the named person, his/her family members, or any professional or consultant assisting with his/her application. Certified Translation should only be done by a reputable, official translator or translation business who can certify its neutrality [4]. In practice, private entities in Canada usually follow its government’s guidelines when it comes to Certified Translation.
For documents issued in Malaysia, the Government of Canada accepts Certified Translation provided by one of the following Malaysian statutory organisations:
(i) DBP, established based on the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959. Its administration is managed by the Ministry of Education. [5]
(ii) MTA, a voluntary professional body established under the auspices of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), is the sole Malaysian member of the International Federation of Translators (FIT) [6], an international organisation which has consultative status with UNESCO. [7]
A translation is considered certified when it is registered with DBP or MTA.
2.2 Why does Certified Translation take so long even for documents with just a few words?
For the Government of Canada, before certification, the translation goes through the following processes:
(i) Text extraction
The translation process begins with text extraction and formatting by a DTP specialist, with inquiries about untranslatable or unclear text.
(ii) Translation
Translations are handled by a certified translator.
(iii) First Review
The first review is conducted by a certified translator.
(iv) DTP & Formatting
DTP and formatting ensures the translated document mirrors the original.
(v) Final Review & Certificate of Translation
A final review is done by a certified translator, with an DBP/MTA stamp applied. The translation is then recorded by the stamping organisation.
These steps are essential as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reserves the right to request a retranslation should the accuracy of the translation appear suspect.
2.3 Can I submit a softcopy or photocopy of the Certified Translation to the CA authorities?
It depends. Most CA authorities accept hardcopy Certified Translation with the original stamp. However, private entities may accept softcopy Certified Translation.
Resources:
[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/refugee-protection/removal-risk-assessment/translation.html
[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/refugee-protection/removal-risk-assessment/translation.html
[3] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/refugee-protection/removal-risk-assessment/translation.html
[4] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/refugee-protection/removal-risk-assessment/translation.html
[5] Section 4, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 (Revised in 1978). https://lamanweb.dbp.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Akta-213-Akta-Dewan-Bahasa-dan-Pustaka-Disemak-1973.pdf
[6] International Federation of Translators. (n.d.). Members directory: Malaysia. https://en.fit-ift.org/members-directory/?country=MY.
[7] UNESCO Archives. (n.d.). International Federation of Translators. https://atom.archives.unesco.org/international-federation-of-translators.
Relevant File(s):