Many individuals who intend to migrate to another country get their documents translated. One of such documents is the birth certificate. A certified translation of birth certificate will accelerate the process, helping you pass immigration checkpoints easily. However, it should be noted that translating certificate documents by yourself isn’t recommended; you must submit an official translation of birth certificate if you want the USCIS to accept it. Only a certified translation holds value in the eyes of the law.
That’s why you must always get a translation of your foreign birth certificate done by professional translators. If you are wondering, “Who will translate my birth certificate?” we’re here to help. In this article, you’ll learn the legal requirements of birth certificate translation in different countries and a step-by-step process to get this done. That’s how you’ll accelerate the immigration process and get settled abroad easily.
We’ll also explain what to do when you’ve lost the birth certificate and urgently require its replacement. Keep reading this article and get your birth certificate translated by experienced professionals.
Who Needs Certified Translation of Birth Certificate?
Why do folks need to produce a translated copy of their birth certificate? Fewer than 3.6 million babies were born in 2023 in the US. However, not everyone has to get their birth certificate translated. You will translate the certificate of your birth when you are:
Immigration
Usually, you’ll submit birth certificate translation after applying for residency or citizenship overseas. So, a translated copy of your birth certificate will verify your identify and country of origin.
Education
If you plan to get educated abroad or are applying for grants/scholarships, then a translated copy of the birth certificate should be provided. The institute in question will use it verify who you are and if you are old enough to attend this class.
Healthcare
If you want to apply for medical visa to get treated in another country, then you must keep a translated copy of your birth certificate ready for submission.
Adoption
If you want to adopt a child from another country, then you should contact adoption translation services to accelerate the process. Legal matters like marriage and inheritance also require birth certificates and other documents to be translated accurately.
Employment
If you want to get a job in a different country, your employer will ask for your birth certificate. If you are applying for a job in the United States and your birth certificate is in, shall we say, French, then you must get this document translated posthaste.
Let’s now explain the legal requirements for birth certificate translation in different countries? How can a person get their birth certificate translated accurately? Let’s find out.
Legal Requirements for Birth Certificate Translation
Birth certificates were formally introduced in the US in 1900 and have now almost become a worldwide phenomenon. You can imagine how different governments have set up various requirements for your birth certificate’s translation. In general, these requirements go something like this:
Accuracy & Complete
The most important requirement is that the translation is done truthfully and doesn’t add anything to or omit anything from the original document. The translation must be easily readable without sounding too informal or casual. That’s why you should hire a translator who is proficient in both the source language and the target language.
Formatting
Every country requires the translated version of your birth certificate to match the formatting of the one originally issued by your country of origin. Formatting differences will render the translation invalid.
Seals
All countries require the seals on the original document to also appear on the translated version. So, you should ensure that any seal present on your birth certificate is repeated exactly in the same place as the translated copy.
Accuracy Certificate
A translator also gives you a translation accuracy certificate that bears the translator’s name. It verifies that the translation is accurate and complete; most First World countries ask you for such a certificate if you’re submitting a translation of any sort.
Notarization
Not all countries will require notarization, which is done by a notary public who verifies your translator’s identity with their stamp/signature. For instance, the USCIS doesn’t require notarization when it comes to birth certificate translation. In China, however, you may require it.
In the next section, we’ll explain how exactly a birth certificate translation process is undertaken. It will go through all the steps involved in this procedure (a general overview, if you’d like).
Translating Birth Certificate: A Step-by-Step Process
How do you translate your birth certificate successfully? For that, you have to follow a simple process; it is necessary to make sure that you follow all these steps in order to obtain an error-free translation copy for your desired purpose. Here are the steps involved in this process:
- Find Credible Translators: First and foremost, you must get in touch with credible and certified translators. They must be USCIS-approved members and work for agencies recognized by the ATA or similar organizations.
- Provide the Original: The translation process begins when you submit the original copy to your translator. This copy must be clear and legible (whether hardcopy or scanned) so they may read it effortlessly.
- Get the Translation: The translator will reword the actual birth certificate in the target language while maintaining the original format. Then, you’ll receive this translated version along with the translation accuracy certificate.
- Notarize the Document: If you need notarization, then ask a notary public to bear witness to the translator signing the accuracy certificate. Then, the notary public will stamp the certificate, as a token to verification of the translator’s identity.
- Submit the Translation: Eventually, you’ll submit the translated document to the authorities. In case you are submitting this to the USCIS, keep their specific guidelines in mind. Always give the authorities the original translation and keep a copy in your records.
Now, all that’s left for you is to contact a translation service provider online. Get in touch with certified, professional translators who can rewrite your birth certificate in the target language efficiently.
Birth Certificate Alternatives
It should be noted that there are two versions of birth certificates for Americans, such as:
- Long-Form: It’s the actual copy of your birth certificate with the most information possible.
- Short-Form: It’s a copy that states that the long-form birth certificate exists.
The USCIS may accept the short-form birth certificate translation in some cases; however, in many cases and circumstances, you’ll have to provide the long-form version.
Whether you have a short-form or long-form certificate of your birth at hand, the USCIS and many other agencies require a document that gives out specifications regarding your birth, such as your name, both parents’ names, date/place of your birth, etc.
However, many people lose their birth certificates due to circumstances beyond their control. The Puerto Rican government invalidated all birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010. In such cases, you have to produce a notarized affidavit (from one of your parents or a close blood relative) stating the following:
- Your name
- Parents’ name
- Date/place of birth
- Parents’ date/place of birth
- The date of your parents’ marriage
That’s how you’ll prove that you were born in a certain country and then get this affidavit translated in lieu of birth certificate translation.
Conclusion
It should become apparent that birth certificate translation must be done by experienced professionals. The translator must submit a certificate of translation accuracy to vouch for the correctness of the work done. Moreover, the translation has to be typed, not handwritten. These requirements should be met if you want to translate birth certificate to English for immigration or other purposes.
The professionals at TranslateSwift will provide error-free, certified translation with a high approval rate at the USCIS. If you require urgent translation of your birth certificate, then get in touch with translation wizards to get the job done right. Translation services are available here in multiple languages.
FAQs – Birth Certificate Translation
Can I translate my birth certificate by myself?
Legally, you must submit a translation done by a naati-approved translator. A self-translated certificate may get rejected by the authorities, especially the USCIS.
Is it necessary to notarize my birth certificate translation?
No, the USCIS requires the translated birth certificate to be certified for accuracy, not notarized. Various countries have different requirements, however, and they may also ask for notarization.
How much does birth certificate translation cost?
The cost of getting your birth certificate translated depends on various factors, such as lengthy, delivery time, complexity of the source/target language, etc. Usually, it’ll set you back $20 to $50 per page.
