ATIA or Regular Certified Translation: Which One Do You Need?
Most documents in Alberta are accepted with a regular certified translation at $59. ATIA certification costs $99 and up, and is worth ordering only when the receiving body asks for a translator certified by the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta.
The two routes, side by side
Ordering ATIA when you do not need it costs $40 more per page and adds days. Ordering regular when the body wanted ATIA means doing it twice. This is the whole decision.
Regular certified translation
- Accepted by immigration, schools and colleges, Alberta Registries, employers and insurers
- Our certificate of accuracy, translator's signature, copy of the original attached
- Most orders in 1-2 business days
- The default for birth, marriage and police certificates and driver licences
ATIA certified translation
- Seal, signature and certification number of an ATIA member
- Asked for by courts and some licensing bodies: AAIP, IQAS, APEGA, NNAS, PEBC, NDEB
- Takes 2-4 days longer than a regular certified order
- No separate notarization needed on top
Notarized translation
- Sworn declaration before a commissioner attached to the translation
- For consulates and foreign institutions
- Takes 2-4 days longer than a regular certified order
Prices do not include GST (5%). Passport stamp $7 each. Xpresspost $30. Upload your documents and we confirm which certification your case needs before any payment.
What an ATIA certified translation contains
The difference is who signs it and what they attach. Everything below is in the ATIA package.
- Full translation of the document, including stamps, seals and handwritten notes
- The seal of a translator certified by the association
- The translator's signature and certification number
- A copy of the original attached to the translation
- Accepted without a separate notarization by most federal and provincial bodies
- Certified PDF by email and a stamped hard copy by Canada Post
How to order
Find the instruction
Look at the letter or web page from the institution. If the words "ATIA" or "certified translator" appear, that is the ATIA route.
Upload the documents
Use the order form and attach the instruction if you have it.
We confirm the type and price
If ATIA is not needed, we say so and quote the cheaper regular certified route.
Get the translation
Certified PDF when ready, stamped hard copy by Canada Post, Xpresspost when the date is tight.
Who usually asks for ATIA
This list comes from the requests we see. It is not a rule: always follow the instruction you were given.
| Service | First page | Extra page |
|---|---|---|
| Regular certified | $59 | $30 (two pages $99) |
| ATIA certified | $99 | quoted from the document |
| Notarized | $99 | quoted from the document |
| Passport stamp | $7 each | |
| Xpresspost delivery | $30 |
Prices do not include GST. The exact total is confirmed after we see your files.
Where people overpay or lose time
Four patterns we see every month.
- Ordering ATIA "just in case"It costs more and takes 2-4 days longer. If nobody asked for it in writing, regular certified is normally what gets accepted.
- Reading "certified translation" as "ATIA"Most instructions that say certified mean a signed certified translation, which is our regular service.
- Confusing ATIA with notarizationThey are different routes. An ATIA translation usually does not need a notary on top; a notarized translation is for institutions outside Canada.
- Sending the file after the deadline is setATIA orders take longer. If you have a date, tell us in the form and we will say honestly whether it fits.
Questions about ATIA certification
What is ATIA?
The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta. Members who have passed its certification process may use the association's seal and call themselves certified translators.
Do I need ATIA for immigration documents?
Normally no. Immigration paperwork is usually accepted with a regular certified translation, which is $59 for a one-page document.
How much does ATIA certification cost?
From $99 plus GST. The exact price depends on the document, and we confirm it before you pay.
How long does an ATIA order take?
Plan for 2-4 business days longer than a regular certified translation, because it depends on the availability of a certified member for your language pair.
Does an ATIA translation need to be notarized as well?
Usually not. A translation carrying a certified translator's seal is accepted by most federal and provincial bodies without a separate notarization.
What if I order the wrong type?
You will not order blind: we review your files and the instruction first, and we tell you which certification your case actually needs before any payment.
Not sure which one you need?
Upload the document and the instruction you were given. We name the certification, the price and the turnaround before you pay anything.