How do you translate a Peruvian death certificate (acta de defunción) for USCIS?
USCIS asks for a full English translation of a Peruvian death certificate with the translator’s signed certification. We translate the acta de defunción in full, whether RENIEC issued it or a municipality did, typed, handwritten or a microfilm copy, with the RENIEC seal that certifies it. One page is $25, ready within 24 hours after payment.
When a Peruvian death record is needed
Form I-130 asks for copies of documents showing that every prior marriage of either spouse was legally terminated (Form I-130 instructions, p. 6 (opens in a new tab)). On Form I-360, a widow or widower of a US citizen includes the spouse’s death certificate (Form I-360 instructions, p. 2 (opens in a new tab)). The Spanish record goes in with a full English translation and the translator’s certification (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)).
RENIEC or the municipality
A Peruvian death certificate (acta de defunción) comes either from the municipality where the death happened or from RENIEC, the national identity and civil status registry, once that municipality’s records are part of RENIEC’s. Registering a death takes the medical death certificate (certificado médico de defunción) and the deceased’s national ID card (DNI). If the municipality’s records are in RENIEC, any RENIEC office issues the copy; otherwise you ask the municipality. A copy costs 10.30 soles online from RENIEC, or 12 soles at an office (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).
For an immigrant visa, the embassy in Lima asks that the death record be certified by RENIEC, which means a RENIEC seal or stamp placed on the document (same State Department page). For a municipal record that isn’t in RENIEC’s system, a RENIEC service center certifies the signature of the municipal official who issued the copy. You apply in person with a certified copy, not a photocopy, pay S/ 31.00, and collect the certified record within 15 business days (gob.pe, RENIEC (opens in a new tab)).
Handwritten, typed or microfilmed
Peruvian certificates vary in form: a longhand transcription, a typed template, or a microfilm photocopy of the original entry (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). The state portal names the record a partida or an acta (gob.pe (opens in a new tab)). Our sample below is a 1902 record written in prose: the declarant, two witnesses with their ages and addresses, the cause of death, and a side column with race, filiation, religion and whether a will was left. We translate each part in its original order.
For NVC, the State Department page asks for a scan of the front and the back, even a blank back.
Names
Where the record gives two surnames, we keep both in the order written. Tell us how the names are spelled in the other documents of your case when you order, and the spelling will be the same throughout.
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 Peru 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.
Sample translations
2 samplesEach sample has the original, the translation and the signed certificate. Personal details are blurred.
Questions
The record is handwritten and very old. Can you translate it?
Yes. Our sample is a handwritten entry from 1902, made at the district council of Chorrillos. We translate every line and mark any word we can’t read instead of guessing.
How much does it cost?
We charge by the page: $25 for the first and $20 for each additional one in the same order, so three pages are $65.
Do I need a notary or an apostille?
Not for USCIS: the translator’s signed certification is what it asks for, and it’s included. For an immigrant visa, the embassy in Lima wants the RENIEC certification on the record itself, and we translate that seal too.
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.