If you submit a birth certificate containing a foreign language to USCIS, include a full English translation and the translator’s certification of accuracy and competence. This guide explains what to check in the translation package before sending it to the legal team or including it in your application.
Start with the right source document
Check the instructions for your application before ordering. The required civil record can depend on the application and the country of issue. A translation cannot replace a missing record or make a different version of the certificate suitable.
- Send a clear scan of the entire certificate, including its edges.
- Include the reverse if it contains text, stamps or annotations.
- Check that names, dates, registry numbers and handwritten entries are readable.
- If a section cannot be read, provide a clearer copy rather than asking the translator to guess.
Review the translation and certification
Use the source certificate to check for omitted fields, seals and marginal notes. Keep the English translation identifiable as the translation of that particular record. A similar layout can make comparison easier; accuracy and completeness matter more than reproducing the design.
Preserve the names and information in the source. If a spelling or date differs from the passport or application, flag the difference for the legal team instead of silently changing the translation. Include the signed certification with the delivered document.
Can a friend or family member translate it?
USCIS states that a professional translation service is not mandatory. The person translating still has to certify their competence and provide an accurate, complete translation. Choose someone who can understand the entire record and review their work carefully. Professional review can help identify omissions, but it cannot guarantee the outcome of an application.
Request a birth certificate translation from Ichundu
Ichundu translates Spanish–English documents. Send a readable copy, your language direction, the receiving authority and your deadline. Tell us if you need a signed certification; it is quoted separately. We will confirm the scope, price and delivery before starting. Request a translation or contact us if you have questions about the document.
Official sources
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): USCIS translation requirement
- USCIS clarification on professional translation services
Reviewed October 13, 2026.
