Translating a Foreign Birth Certificate for USCIS
Immigration files request a birth certificate at an early stage. If yours was issued outside the United States and is not in English, USCIS needs a certified English translation next to it.
Below we explain why the document matters, what the translation has to cover and what to do when no certificate exists. The general rule is covered in our guide to USCIS translation requirements.
Why Immigration Files Ask for It
USCIS lists a copy of your birth certificate among the initial evidence for a green card application on Form I-485, as its I-485 evidence checklist shows.
What the Translation Must Cover
The regulation asks for a full English translation of any foreign-language document, certified as complete and accurate, with a statement that the translator is competent to translate the language. For a birth certificate, full means every printed field, stamp, seal and handwritten annotation, including notes in the margin.
The 8 CFR 103.2 applies to the translation itself, so a summary of the main facts does not meet it.
Names, Dates and Spelling
Foreign certificates often write names in a different order or alphabet than your passport. Tell your translator how your name appears on your passport and other US filings, so the translation and your application agree.
Dates need care as well. Many countries write the day before the month, so a date such as 04/05 can mean April 5 or May 4. A translator who knows the issuing country's format will write it out in full.
When You Cannot Get a Certificate
Some people cannot obtain a birth certificate, or no record exists. The I-485 checklist says to submit other acceptable evidence of birth, such as church, school or medical records, with proof that the certificate is unavailable or does not exist.
Those records follow the same translation rule when they are in a foreign language. Translate each one in full.
Related Documents in the Same File
- Marriage certificates (see marriage certificate translation).
- Birth certificate translation for children included in the application.
- Passports and identification documents.
How BeTranslated Can Help
Our birth certificate translators produce a full English translation with the certification asked for by USCIS. Tell us how you want names spelled, and we will follow your passport.
Send us your certificate for a free translation quote. We reply within 12 hours, and you can also call us at +1 (737) 301-0606.
FAQs
Does a Birth Certificate Need Notarization for USCIS?
The regulation asks for the translator's certification and does not mention notarization.
What If the Certificate Is Handwritten?
A translator can work from a clear scan of a handwritten certificate. Tell us if parts are hard to read, and we will mark them in the translation.
Do I Translate the Back of the Certificate?
Yes. Stamps, annotations and text on the back are part of the document, and a full translation includes them.
Can I Use a Long-Form and a Short-Form Certificate?
Check the instructions for your form to see which version it requires, and translate whichever version you submit.
