How do you translate a Colombian cedula for USCIS?

Two valid versions of the card

The cédula de ciudadanía is Colombia’s national ID card, issued by the National Civil Registry (Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil) to citizens aged 18 and older. It shows the holder’s name, date of birth, blood type, biometric data and national ID number. Two physical versions are valid (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)):

• the yellow cedula with holograms, issued before 2020: biographical data, the signatures of the holder and of the registrar, and a barcode;
• the digital cedula (cédula digital), issued since 2020: it adds a machine-⁠readable zone and a QR code linked to a digital version of the ID.

In 2021 the Registraduría said that the digital cedula is a polycarbonate card that follows the ICAO 9303 standard used for passports, and adults can use it to travel to eight Andean and Mercosur countries (Registraduría (opens in a new tab)).

What the translation includes

We translate both sides in full, as USCIS requires (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)): names, the ID number, the date of birth, blood type and the signatures, with every other line printed on the card. The barcode, the QR code and the photo are marked as such, and the machine-⁠readable lines are copied character for character.

The cedula number also appears on the bio page of a Colombian passport issued to an adult (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). We copy it digit for digit, so the two documents match.

Minors and foreign residents

Children from 7 to 18 carry a tarjeta de identidad instead, and children under 7 use their birth certificate (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). Foreign residents of Colombia can hold a cédula de extranjería, the foreigner’s ID card. We translate both the same way as the cedula.

Names

Colombian names usually carry two surnames. We keep both, in the order of the card, and spell names as in your passport. Tell us the spelling when you order, and it will be the same in every document in your order.

Where the translation goes

• Green card (Form I-⁠485): the instructions ask for a copy of a government-⁠issued identity document with your photograph (Form I-⁠485 instructions (opens in a new tab)). What USCIS accepts
• Asylum (Form I-⁠589): the instructions recommend a copy of any other identification document you have, such as a national identification card (Form I-⁠589 instructions (opens in a new tab)).
• Immigration court: a typed certification with the translator’s address and phone. What the court accepts

Our Spanish documents are translated and certified by a native Spanish speaker. What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.