A birth certificate translation for USCIS is more than a word-for-word document. It must be complete, accurate, and paired with a signed certification from a competent translator.
When USCIS Needs a Translation
If a birth certificate is not in English, USCIS generally requires a full English translation. This applies to many immigration filings, including family petitions, adjustment of status packets, naturalization support documents, and evidence packages.
The translation should include all visible text: names, dates, places, stamps, seals, marginal notes, and official annotations.
What the Certification Should Include
A certified translation normally includes:
- Translator name and signature
- Statement that the translation is complete and accurate
- Statement that the translator is competent in both languages
- Date of certification
- Translator contact information
USCIS requires the translator to certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate into English. Using a third-party translator is usually cleaner than having the applicant or beneficiary translate their own birth certificate, especially when names, seals, or handwritten notes could be questioned.
How to Prepare the Document
Send a clear scan or flat photo of the original birth certificate. Make sure seals, handwritten notes, and page edges are visible. If names are spelled differently across documents, mention the issue before the translation is prepared.
For help with certified translation packages, visit Certified Translation Jacksonville. For broader immigration document guidance, see Certified Translation for USCIS: Essential Rules.