How do you get a birth certificate translated for USCIS?
USCIS asks for a full English translation of a foreign birth certificate with the translator’s signed certification; a summary or a partial translation doesn’t count. We translate birth certificates from Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Romanian (including Moldovan) and Bulgarian, with every field, stamp and note on the back. A birth certificate is usually one page: $25, ready within 24 hours after payment.
What USCIS asks for
For a birth certificate in a foreign language, USCIS asks for a full English translation and the translator’s certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate from that language (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)). A summary or a partial translation of the certificate is not accepted (USCIS Policy Manual (opens in a new tab)). What the certification says: the translator’s certification.
Which birth certificates we translate
Each language has its own page about its certificates, their fields and how names are spelled:
- Russian and Soviet certificates, including those from Belarus, Kazakhstan and other former Soviet republics, written in Russian. Russian birth certificate
- Ukrainian certificates, Soviet and current, and extracts from the civil status register. Ukrainian birth certificate
- Mexican actas de nacimiento, old and new formats. Mexican birth certificate
- Other Spanish-speaking countries: Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain. Spanish-language birth certificates
- Romanian and Moldovan certificates. Romanian birth certificate
- Bulgarian certificates. Bulgarian birth certificate
Russian certificates are translated and certified by our Russian translator; the other languages by a native speaker, under their own name.
What the translation includes
Every field, the registry’s seal and signature, the certificate’s series and number, and everything on the back: citizenship stamps, notes about changes, an apostille. Handwriting and faded stamps are routine; a word that can’t be read is marked [illegible], never guessed.
Where it goes
- USCIS: the translation and certification filed with a copy of the certificate. What USCIS accepts
- NVC and US consulates: the Department of State doesn’t ask for a translation of a certificate in a language that is official in the country where you are applying for your visa. What NVC accepts
- Immigration court: a typed certification with the translator’s address and phone. What the court accepts
What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.
Sample translations
4 samplesEach sample has the original, the translation and the signed certificate. Personal details are blurred.
Questions
How much does it cost?
A birth certificate is usually one page: $25. Each additional page in the same order is $20, so three birth certificates are $65.
Do I need a notarized translation?
Not for USCIS, immigration court or NVC: they ask for the translator’s signed certification, and it’s included.
What should I send?
A photo or scan of the certificate, and of its back if anything is written or stamped there, plus the spelling of names as in your passport.
How long does it take?
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
How we do it
- Full translation
every stamp, signature and handwritten line
- Signed certificate
with the translator’s name, address and phone
- A PDF, ready to file
original, translation and certificate, translation pages numbered
- Price
$25 for the first page up to 250 words, $20 for each additional page, in the same document or another one.
- Turnaround
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
This is a summary of what the agency publishes, not legal advice.