How do you translate a Cuban death certificate (certificación de defunción) for USCIS?
A Cuban death certificate filed with USCIS needs a complete English translation and the translator’s signed certification. We translate the certificación de defunción from the municipal civil registry in full: the tomo and folio, the cause of death, the place of burial, the registrar’s stamp, seal and signature. One page is $25, ready within 24 hours after payment.
What USCIS uses it for
When a petitioner or a spouse was married before, Form I-130 needs documents showing each earlier marriage legally ended (Form I-130 instructions, p. 6 (opens in a new tab)). A petition for a father needs the same proof for any earlier marriage of either parent (p. 8 (opens in a new tab)). For a widow or widower of a US citizen, Form I-360 lists a copy of the spouse’s death certificate among the required evidence (Form I-360 instructions, p. 2 (opens in a new tab)). The Cuban certificate is filed with a full English translation and the translator’s certification (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)).
Who issues it
The document is the certificación de defunción. It comes from the civil registry (Registro del Estado Civil) under the Ministry of Justice, with one office in each of Cuba’s 168 municipalities. A death is registered within 24 hours, usually after a medical death certificate, and usually at the registry of the municipality where the person last lived (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).
Cuba has a new civil registry law, Law No. 180 Del Registro Civil, published in the Gaceta Oficial on March 16, 2026 (Ministerio de Justicia (opens in a new tab)). It took effect 180 days after publication and replaces a system in place since 1985 (Ministerio de Justicia (opens in a new tab)). We translate the name of the office exactly as your copy prints it.
What the certificate shows
Formats vary, but every certificate must carry a stamp, the seal of the civil registry and the signature of the registrar who issued it. The registration records:
- the date and place of death;
- the full name of the deceased;
- the cause of death;
- the place of burial;
- the civil registry where the death was recorded.
To request a copy in Cuba, you give the full name, the place and date of death, the place of burial, and the volume and page of the entry (tomo and folio). The translation keeps the tomo and folio numbers as they appear, so the English version can be matched to the record.
Names
When the certificate gives two surnames, we keep both in its order. If the same person appears in a marriage certificate in your case, tell us how the name is spelled there.
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 Cuba or another country where Spanish is an official language. Since January 4, 2023, the US Embassy in Havana handles immigrant visas for Cuban citizens (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). 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.
Questions
The person died in Cuba and I live in the US. How do I get the certificate?
The State Department page lists four ways for someone outside Cuba: through a Cuban consulate, a legal representative or a family member in Cuba, or online. Fees and delivery times depend on the consulate. Once you have it, send us a photo or scan.
How much does it cost?
Pricing is per page: $25 for the first one, $20 for each one after it in the same order, so $65 for three.
Do I need a notary or an apostille?
For USCIS, no: it asks for the translator’s signed certification, which we include. Any legalization stamps already on your certificate are translated with the rest.
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.