Birth Certificate Translation USCIS: The Perfect Guide

Rapid Translate Team

Updated: September 15, 2024 | 7 min read

Immigration to the United States can be both unnerving and exciting. The major key for this process is a lot of paperwork, from application forms to submitting supporting documents. An important document in this collection is a birth certificate. Hence, there is a need for a birth certificate translation USCIS accepts.

Apart from telling everyone your birth date, the certificate details your identity. However, when it is in a foreign language, it complicates the immigration process. Therefore, a translation is essential for compliance with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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Why You Need a Birth Certificate Translation for Immigration

You must have heard several immigration-related cases emphasize the need for birth certificate translations. Well, your birth certificate isn’t just a paper that records your date of birth; it contains important information. It is an official document that establishes your full identity, date, and place of birth.

In some cases, it contains information about the immigrant’s parents. Overall, it has all the essential information needed by the official authority handling immigration. This document stands as legal proof of identity and age during the immigration process.

Although the immigration office will demand other documents, the birth certificate is essential for establishing your identity. The only challenge is that the certificate must be in the destination country’s official language. For example, the certificate must be in French to apply for immigration to a French-speaking country.

Most countries will demand a document translation for immigration. It would be best if you translated birth certificates written in a foreign language before the application. This will help the country’s immigration office understand your complete information.

Understand the Reason for a Birth Certificate Translation for USCIS

The USCIS operates with English as the country’s official language. Therefore, the law mandates translating foreign language documents into the English language. This law ensures that immigration officers can accurately understand your birth certificate.

It will also help the agency to process your immigration application without misinterpretation. Like other immigration authorities worldwide, the USCIS will only acknowledge translated documents. So, it is paramount to get things ready to avoid complications during the immigration process.While getting English translations for your document seems easy, certain rules guide the process. Translated documents must meet the USCIS translation requirements for acceptance and approval. The agency pays attention to paperwork, so you must follow every protocol.

USCIS Birth Certificate Translation Requirements

The major translation requirement for USCIS applications is providing certified translations for submitted documents. Although other USCIS birth certificate translation requirements exist, certification is paramount in various U.S. government agencies. For example, during passport application at the U.S. State Department.

Similarly, a certified translation is essential for a U.S. visa, citizenship, or green card application. These government agencies always require certified translations for official purposes. More than this, the USCIS requires accurate translations of translated documents.

A birth certificate is a vital official document, so its translations must be accurate. It must also be up to the target country’s mandated standards. Any English translation for the USCIS must follow the agency’s standards to ensure compliance with the law.

In addition, the USCIS requires the long-form version of birth certificates submitted to them. Many country governments keep an official record of both long-form and short-form versions. However, the USCIS needs your birth certificate to contain every possible information. This includes:

  • First name.
  • Last name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Place of birth.
  • Full names of parents.
  • An official seal verifying the record is from the government issuing office.

You can proceed with the translation once your birth certificate contains this information. Apart from all the above, certified translation requirements, here are some lesser-known musts. Your translated document must:

  • Have the same format as the original document as possible.
  • Every detail must be in the translated copy, including signatures, stamps, and notations.
  • Names, dates, and official titles must maintain their original context and meaning in the translated document.
  • The date format follows U.S. standards, i.e., Month/day/year.

What Is a Certified Translation of a Birth Certificate?

A certified translation is a document translated by a professional translator or translation company, accompanied by a certification statement. This statement certifies that the translation is accurate, complete, and true to the original document. It attests to the translator’s competence and the translation’s accuracy.

A certification always contains the translator’s name, signature, and translation date. This information assures the USCIS that the translated document reliably represents the original birth certificate. It also indicates the translated document maintains the integrity of the original information.

Choosing a USCIS Birth Certificate Translation Template

Birth certificate formats differ in various countries. The only similarity is the content that details a person’s birth. Because of this, there is always a USCIS birth certificate translation template to follow. This ensures every translator includes the required information in the translated document.

There is no standard translation template for translators. The only rule is that the translation must meet the previously mentioned requirements. Every translator and translation agency has its template, but the USCIS approves it to make it acceptable. So, finding a translator with an approved template would be best.

This assures you that the USCIS will accept your translated documents. To make it easier, you must ensure the translator has the USCIS certification for their services. Certification is essential for other immigration documents like marriage certificates. Getting a translator who can complete all your USCIS translation projects is best.

Can I Translate My Own Birth Certificate for USCIS?

No, you can’t translate your own birth certificate for USCIS. The immigration agency requires applicants not to translate their documents to ensure accuracy and impartiality. Similarly, your family or spouse can’t translate documents for you either. The agency may consider such translations self-serving and deny the application.

That’s why you need a professional translator to translate birth certificate for USCIS. But if you can’t afford a professional translator or service, you can have someone else do it for you. However, the person must be competent in the source and target language (i.e., the birth certificate’s original language and English.)They must also be willing to provide a certification for the translations. It would help if they knew the translation requirements for USCIS.

Get a Birth Certificate Translation USCIS Approves From Rapid Translate

Now that you know you can’t translate your documents, the process may become confusing. The USCIS translation standards make trusting any translator with your birth certificate challenging. However, Rapid Translate understands your needs and the agency’s requirements.

We can save you stress and time by providing certified translations to get you into the U.S. Our services cover translations from over 60 languages to English. We provide high-quality translations for any language combination for USCIS applications.

Our certified translation service can also translate other immigration documents like marriage certificates, academic transcripts, etc. Our team of professional translators has experience in immigration translations for the U.S. Rapid Translate prioritizes quality and guarantees 100% approval at the USCIS.

We also have a money-back guarantee to show you our commitment to customer satisfaction. So, don’t look too far for the birth certificate translation USCIS approves. Take your global communication to a new level with Rapid Translate. Whatever your reason for relocating abroad, we’ve got you covered.

Break down language barriers and extend your reach with our efficient and accurate translation. Order now and explore the power of smooth communication!

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