Does USCIS require a certified translation of my birth certificate?

Yes. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any foreign language document submitted to USCIS must come with a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, plus the translator's certification of competence to translate that language into English.

Can I translate my own birth certificate for USCIS?

The regulation does not name who may translate, but a translation made by the applicant or a family member is commonly questioned because the certifier has a personal stake in the case. A certification signed by a qualified professional translator avoids that objection.

Does the translation need to be notarized?

No. USCIS requires a signed certification statement from the translator, not notarization. Some non-USCIS recipients, such as certain courts or foreign authorities, have their own rules, so check the specific recipient if the translation is not for USCIS.

Do the stamps, seals, and handwriting on my birth certificate get translated too?

Yes. A complete translation accounts for everything on the document, including seals, stamps, the registrar's signature, marginal annotations, and any entries on the back. Items that cannot be read are marked [illegible] rather than guessed.

I only have a short form extract. Will a certified translation of it be enough?

It depends on the process. For immigrant visas the Department of State requires a certificate from the official custodian of birth records showing date and place of birth and parentage, based on the original registration, and country-specific guidance may call for the full form. Translating an extract does not upgrade it, so confirm which version your process requires before ordering.

Do I have to send my original birth certificate anywhere?

For USCIS filings you generally submit a clear photocopy of the original together with the certified translation, and USCIS can request the original later if needed. For consular processing, NVC asks you to upload a scan of the foreign language document and the translation in a single file.

Certified translation

Birth Certificate Translation for the DMV

Many state DMVs require a certified English translation of a foreign driver's license or supporting identity document before issuing a license, and each state publishes its own requirements, so confirm with your state's DMV. A certified translation of a birth certificate costs $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, and a typical order runs 1 to 2 pages, so most cost $24.95 to $49.90. Delivery takes 2 to 3 business days and includes the complete translation with a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy from the qualified professional translator responsible for the work.

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Pricing

Exact prices, shown before you pay

Most birth certificates fit in one page of up to 250 source words; long form certificates with marginal annotations, legalization stamps, or a filled reverse side can reach two. Certified translation is $24.95 per page, so a typical order of 1 to 2 pages comes to $24.95 to $49.90. The exact total is measured from your real document and shown before payment.

Standard

$19.95 per page

3 to 5 business days

A professional translation with digital delivery.

Certified

$24.95 per page

2 to 3 business days

A certified translation accepted for official use.

Premium

$39.95 per page

1 to 2 business days

A certified translation, translated first.

One page is up to 250 words.

Requirements

DMV requirements for a certified birth certificate translation

Any document in a foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, together with the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)).
For immigrant visa processing, the Department of State requires that documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country where the applicant is applying, be accompanied by certified translations that include a statement signed by the translator confirming the translator is competent to translate. NVC asks applicants to upload the foreign language document and the English translation together in a single file, original first.
For an immigrant visa, the birth certificate itself must be issued by the official custodian of birth records in the country of birth and must show the date and place of birth and the parentage of the applicant, based on the original registration of birth. A translation cannot substitute for a certificate that lacks this content.
The translation must be word for word and complete. Every element on the record is rendered, including headers, form numbers, registration numbers, seals, stamps, the registrar's signature block, marginal annotations, and any entries on the reverse side.
Seals, stamps, and signatures that cannot be reproduced are described in brackets in the translation, for example [round seal of the Civil Registry Office] or [illegible signature], so the reader knows they exist on the original.
Illegible words or damaged portions are marked as [illegible] in the translation. A qualified professional translator does not guess at unreadable text, because a guessed name or date that later conflicts with other evidence creates a discrepancy in the file.
Personal names are transliterated consistently throughout the translation and should match the spelling used in the person's passport and other filings wherever the source script allows. Dates are rendered unambiguously so day and month cannot be confused.

Common reasons translations get rejected

A summary, abstract, or partial translation is submitted instead of a full word for word translation. USCIS regulation requires a full English language translation, so an extracted or condensed rendering can be rejected.
Seals, stamps, marginal notes, or text on the reverse side are left untranslated, so the English version does not account for everything visible on the original.
The underlying document is wrong for the purpose, for example a hospital souvenir certificate or a baptismal record instead of the civil registry certificate. Translating the wrong document does not cure the problem; consular posts and USCIS expect the record from the official custodian of birth records.
A short form extract is submitted for a process where the country-specific guidance in the Department of State reciprocity schedule calls for a full form certificate showing parentage, leading to a request for the correct version.
Name spellings in the translation do not match the passport or earlier filings because of inconsistent transliteration, creating an identity discrepancy the adjudicator has to question.

Good to know

Who asks for a translated birth certificate

USCIS, Form I-485 adjustment of status, where the applicant's birth certificate is required initial evidence of identity and parentage

USCIS, Form I-130 family petitions, to prove a parent-child or sibling relationship

USCIS, Form N-600 and N-600K certificate of citizenship claims, to document the parent-child relationship

Department of State National Visa Center, the civil documents stage of immigrant visa consular processing in CEAC

Department of State, Diversity Visa program, as a required supporting document for the visa interview

How it works

From upload to certified delivery

Step 1

Upload and get an instant quote

Send us your document, choose your languages, and see your price right away.

Step 2

A professional translator translates it

A qualified professional translator translates your document.

Step 3

Reviewed for accuracy and certified

Your translation is reviewed for accuracy and certified with a signed certificate of accuracy.

Step 4

Receive your certified translation

You receive your certified translation, ready for official use.

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Questions

Common questions

Does USCIS require a certified translation of my birth certificate?: Yes. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any foreign language document submitted to USCIS must come with a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, plus the translator's certification of competence to translate that language into English.
Can I translate my own birth certificate for USCIS?: The regulation does not name who may translate, but a translation made by the applicant or a family member is commonly questioned because the certifier has a personal stake in the case. A certification signed by a qualified professional translator avoids that objection.
Does the translation need to be notarized?: No. USCIS requires a signed certification statement from the translator, not notarization. Some non-USCIS recipients, such as certain courts or foreign authorities, have their own rules, so check the specific recipient if the translation is not for USCIS.
Do the stamps, seals, and handwriting on my birth certificate get translated too?: Yes. A complete translation accounts for everything on the document, including seals, stamps, the registrar's signature, marginal annotations, and any entries on the back. Items that cannot be read are marked [illegible] rather than guessed.
I only have a short form extract. Will a certified translation of it be enough?: It depends on the process. For immigrant visas the Department of State requires a certificate from the official custodian of birth records showing date and place of birth and parentage, based on the original registration, and country-specific guidance may call for the full form. Translating an extract does not upgrade it, so confirm which version your process requires before ordering.
Do I have to send my original birth certificate anywhere?: For USCIS filings you generally submit a clear photocopy of the original together with the certified translation, and USCIS can request the original later if needed. For consular processing, NVC asks you to upload a scan of the foreign language document and the translation in a single file.

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A translation error is ours to fix

If your certified translation is rejected because of a translation error we made, we correct it at no charge, and if the corrected translation is rejected again for that same error we refund what you paid for it. Our Refund Policy sets out the conditions and what it does not cover. Your documents are encrypted and kept confidential from start to finish.

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