Translation of Chat Logs

  • Since June 2019, if your chat logs / screenshots are not in English or French, you must provide its translations.
  • This document explains what to do when asked to submit "PROOF OF COMMUNICATION"
  • If you have excess of Chat Logs, provide selective chat logs making sure you are covering most of the timeline of your relationship. Example : If you have chat logs of 10 months, provide 1 to 2 pages of chat logs for each month and you'll end up with 10 to 20 pages. Objective is to show constant communication from time to time, not each and every moment of chat.
  • It is totally upto you whether you take screenshots or export chats. Both methods are acceptable.
  • "Roman Language" ≠ English/French Language, hence it needs to be translated. Visa Officers need documents in any of Canada's official languages.

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by following:

    • a certified photocopy of the original document. (If it's printout, just get them certified)
    • the English/French translations(1)

You have two options to choose from:

[Translator's Certificate on its Letterhead]

► Translation Must be on Translator's Letterhead bearing Translator's Registration Stamp/Certification/License Number, etc.

► Affidavit of Translator from Notary Public is NOT MANDATORY in this case [optional].

► Must be in Good Standing (Certified Members with Registration Number). They usually provide document with their certification/license number to indicate their good standing.

[Sworn Affidavit from Notary Public]

► Translation can be done on plain/simple pages. All pages of chat logs (printouts) & Translations can be certified/notarized by Notary Public.

► Affidavit of Translator from Notary Public is MANDATORY in this case.

► Can be done by friends, colleagues, boss, neighbours, etc. - who are not Family Members.

Translations may be done by a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French and the unofficial language) and who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators in Canada. If the translation is not provided by such a member, it must be accompanied by an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation and the language proficiency of the translator.

Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves or by members of the applicant’s family. A family member is defined as being a parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law partner, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin.

Who can Translate? -:In Canada:- (very expensive)

Each province have their own certified translators. You have to look for the right ones yourself. Fees may vary. You can also get services from other provinces if you like. Below are the known and recognized associations across Canada

Who can Translate? -:In Pakistan:- (cost-effective)

This industry is not regulated here. You have to find accredited translators yourself.

The easiest of the places to find them are near Kachehri (Court) area of your city. You need the following when getting your paperwork translated:

1) English or French translation on Translator's Letterhead,

2) An Affidavit on official stamp paper from the person who completed translation, and

3) a 'certified' photocopy of the original document. If you have printed chat transcripts/logs, just use printed version along with its translation pages.

[Note1]: Any photocopy of original document you are certifying, authorized person must print the following on it:

  1. "I certify that this is a true copy of the original document"
  2. the name of the original document
  3. the date of the certification
  4. his or her name
  5. his or her official position or title and
  6. his or her signature


I never had any of my documents certified or translated within Canada (from Canadian Translators), and my application got approved easily.

In case of 'certified translation' of chat transcripts, you can choose non-certified translator's option because they can be your friend who can do it for you without charging exorbitant amount as compared to Certified Translators. This is an acceptable and cost-effective method of translation of chat logs.

You should only do translation of randomly selected chat logs, not the entire transcript's translation. IRCC may shred excessive chat logs if they feel necessary. Choose one to two pages worth of chat logs for each week or month, depending on your chat logs.