For applicants who have documents in a foreign language (such as German) and need an English translation for an Express Entry or other immigration application:
- Do not rely on free online/automatic translation tools. A translation produced by dragging a file into an online converter is not acceptable for Express Entry purposes — it will not meet IRCC's translation requirements.
- Use a recognized translation service tied to the source language. For German documents, contact the Goethe Institut branch in your city and ask whether they offer certified translation services.
- Get the translation notarized. Once you have a proper translation, have it notarized before submitting it as part of your immigration application — this is generally expected for translated supporting documents.
In short: skip automatic online translators, use a reputable language-specific institute (like Goethe Institut for German) for the translation, and notarize the final translated document before submission.