Does IRCC Need Apostille or Certified Translation for Vietnamese Docs?
💡 For a Canadian immigration (IRCC) application, your Vietnamese documents need three things: a certified translation into English or French, a certified photocopy of the original document, and a translator affidavit. No apostille is required. I provide the certified translation; the certified photocopy comes from a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee.
- IRCC requires a certified translation into English or French for all Vietnamese documents - word-for-word, including every seal and stamp.
- IRCC requires a certified photocopy of the original - unlike USCIS, which accepts a plain copy.
- No apostille is required for IRCC, even after Vietnam joins the Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026.
- A translator affidavit is required if the translator is not a member of ATIO (Ontario) or OTTIAQ (Quebec).
- I provide the certified translation and certificate of accuracy; the certified photocopy is obtained from a Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee.
| Requirement | IRCC (Canada) | USCIS (United States) |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille on original | Not required | Not required |
| Certified photocopy of original | Required | Not required (plain copy OK) |
| Certified translation | Required | Required |
| Translator affidavit or sworn statement | Required if not ATIO/OTTIAQ member | Not required |
What does IRCC actually require for Vietnamese documents?
According to the IRCC Help Centre, all supporting documents must be in English or French. For a Vietnamese document, you must provide three things together: a complete certified translation, a certified photocopy of the original, and - if the translator is not a member of a recognized professional body - a translator affidavit. Missing any one of these three elements is the most common reason IRCC returns Vietnamese immigration files for resubmission.
The translation must be complete: every word, seal, stamp, and handwritten note in the original must appear in the English or French version. IRCC officers check for completeness, not just the certificate on the last page. For certified Vietnamese document translation prepared to meet IRCC standards, see my certified translation services.
What is a "certified photocopy" - and is it the same as a Vietnamese certified true copy?
IRCC's phrase "certified photocopy of the original document" means a photocopy that a commissioner of oaths or notary has certified as a true copy. For Vietnamese documents, the functional equivalent is a sao y bản chính issued by a Vietnamese notary office (văn phòng công chứng) or a People's Committee (Ủy ban nhân dân cấp xã). So for most IRCC submissions involving Vietnamese originals, you need a certified true copy obtained in Vietnam - not a plain photocopy.
This is one of the clearest differences between IRCC and USCIS. For a full explanation of the two types of document, see certified true copy vs certified translation.
Does IRCC require apostille after Vietnam joins the Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026?
No. Vietnam's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention, effective 11 September 2026, changes how Vietnamese originals can be authenticated for use in other Hague member states: a single MOFA apostille replaces the multi-step consular legalization process. But IRCC's own document requirements are separate from the Apostille Convention. IRCC does not ask for an apostille on foreign documents submitted with immigration applications. An apostille proves the seal on the original is genuine; IRCC is satisfied by the certified photocopy of the original alongside a complete certified translation.
How does the IRCC requirement differ from USCIS for Vietnamese documents?
Both IRCC and USCIS require a certified translation for every non-English document. The differences lie in the copy and the translator's proof. USCIS accepts a plain photocopy of the original (per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)), while IRCC specifically requires a certified photocopy. On the translator side, USCIS accepts any translator's signed certificate of accuracy; IRCC prefers an ATIO or OTTIAQ-certified translator, and if the translator is not certified, requires a sworn affidavit. Neither authority requires apostille. For the USCIS-side comparison, see whether USCIS requires a certified true copy of Vietnamese documents.
Which Vietnamese documents commonly need certified translation for IRCC?
The exact list depends on your immigration stream, but common documents for Canadian permanent residence, Express Entry, family sponsorship, or study permits include: birth certificates, marriage certificates, household registration books (sổ hộ khẩu), police clearance certificates, diplomas and academic transcripts, and civil status confirmations. Each document should be submitted as a certified photocopy paired with its certified translation and, where the translator is not ATIO or OTTIAQ certified, a sworn affidavit.
For stream-specific guidance and a full list of accepted documents, see also certified Vietnamese translation for Canada IRCC. Contact me for a free quote on your specific documents and number of pages.
FAQ
Can I submit a plain photocopy of my Vietnamese birth certificate to IRCC?
No. IRCC requires a certified photocopy, not a plain copy. Obtain a sao y bản chính from a Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee, then pair it with a certified translation.
Does my Vietnamese translator need to be ATIO-certified for IRCC?
IRCC prefers translators certified by ATIO (Ontario) or OTTIAQ (Quebec). If the translator is not certified by a recognized body, IRCC requires a sworn affidavit confirming translation accuracy and completeness. I include a certificate of accuracy with every translation I provide.
Does an apostille on a Vietnamese document satisfy IRCC's certified photocopy requirement?
No. An apostille authenticates the seal on the original document; it does not serve as a certified photocopy. For IRCC, you still need a certified photocopy from a notary plus a separate certified translation.
Are IRCC translation requirements different for Express Entry vs family sponsorship?
The core rule is the same across most IRCC streams: certified translation plus certified photocopy for every non-English document. The list of which specific documents to include varies by stream, but the format for submitting translations does not.
Should I get the certified true copy before or after translation for IRCC?
Get the certified true copy first. The translator works from the certified photocopy, and the translation references what is physically present on the certified copy. Getting the certified copy first also avoids any discrepancy between the photocopy and the translation.
Written by Dao Huy (Lucas), Vietnamese translator & localization specialist (EN · ZH · FR → Vietnamese). See translation services → · Certified Documents →