How do you translate a Colombian death certificate (registro civil de defunción) for USCIS?

When USCIS asks for it

The I-⁠130 instructions ask for documents proving that every prior marriage of either spouse was legally terminated (Form I-⁠130 instructions, p. 6 (opens in a new tab)), and a widow(er) petition on Form I-⁠360 needs a copy of the US citizen spouse’s death certificate (Form I-⁠360 instructions, p. 2 (opens in a new tab)). A Spanish record goes in with a full English translation certified by the translator (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)).

Copy of the folio or digital copy

A Colombian death is entered in a registro civil de defunción at the civil registry or notary office of the municipality where the person died. The embassy asks for the copia del folio, a copy of the book page on plain white paper, certified by a notary or registrar with a signature over a wet seal or a sticker, sometimes a bar-⁠code sticker instead. A summarized certificate is not acceptable (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).

The Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil also issues digital copies, signed by the National Director of Civil Registry. The State Department calls them generally acceptable, but they leave out the marginal notes, and a non-⁠digital certified copy may be requested in some cases. Religious funeral records don’t replace the civil one. The same State Department page asks you to scan both sides of a paper certificate, even when the back is blank.

What the registro de defunción states

Colombian law, Decree 1260 of 1970, lists what the entry must say (Decreto 1260 de 1970, art. 80 (opens in a new tab)):

• the date, place and hour of death;
• the name, nationality, sex and marital status of the deceased, with the folio of their birth registration;
• the spouse’s name, if there was one;
• the number of the cédula de ciudadanía or tarjeta de identidad and where it was issued;
• the cause or causes of death, with the name and license number of the doctor who certified it.

The same decree says a death is reported within two days of learning of it, at the registry of the place where it happened (art. 73). We translate every field, the notary’s certification, stamps and handwritten notes.

Names and numbers

Where the record gives two surnames, they stay in its order, and the cédula number is copied digit for digit. Tell us passport spellings, and they will match across your documents.

Where the translation 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 Spanish if you are applying for your visa in Colombia or another country where Spanish is an official language. What NVC accepts
• 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.