Quick Answer: USCIS requires a certified English translation of every foreign-language birth certificate submitted with an immigration application. The translation must include a signed Certificate of Accuracy from the translator. Most birth certificates are one page — total cost is typically $25. Notarization is not required in most cases. You cannot translate your own birth certificate.
If you are filing an immigration application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and your birth certificate is in a language other than English, you are required to submit a certified English translation alongside the original document. Submitting an untranslated birth certificate — or submitting one with an incomplete or improperly certified translation — is one of the most common reasons USCIS applications are delayed or returned with a Request for Evidence.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting your birth certificate translated for USCIS — which forms require it, what the translation must include, how much it costs, how long it takes, and who can provide it.
When Do You Need a Certified Birth Certificate Translation?
A certified birth certificate translation is required whenever you submit your birth certificate to USCIS as part of an immigration application. Birth certificates are among the most frequently required supporting documents in immigration proceedings because they establish identity, nationality, age, and family relationships.
Common situations that require a certified birth certificate translation include:
- Family-based immigration petitions — when petitioning for a spouse, child, or parent to immigrate to the United States
- Adjustment of status — when applying to become a permanent resident while already in the United States
- Naturalization — when applying for U.S. citizenship after meeting the residency requirements
- Derivative citizenship — when applying for a Certificate of Citizenship based on a parent's naturalization
- Visa applications — certain nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories require birth certificate submission
- Consular processing — when completing immigration processing at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad
If your birth certificate was issued in a foreign language and you are submitting it to USCIS for any reason, assume a certified translation is required. Review the specific instructions for the form you are filing to confirm.
Which USCIS Forms Require a Birth Certificate Translation?
Birth certificate translations are most commonly required for the following USCIS forms:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) — required to establish the qualifying family relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) — required to establish identity and eligibility for permanent residency
- Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) — required to establish identity and continuous residence history
- Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) — required to establish parentage and citizenship claim
- Form N-600K (Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322) — required for children residing abroad
- Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) — may be required in certain circumstances
- Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) — may be required to establish identity
Always review the form instructions on the USCIS website before filing. Instructions specify exactly which documents must be submitted and what the translation requirements are for each form.
What Must a Certified Birth Certificate Translation Include?
A USCIS-compliant certified birth certificate translation must include two components:
1. A complete English translation of the entire document. This means every element of the birth certificate must be translated — not just the main text, but also all stamps, seals, handwritten entries, annotations, and official notations. Partial translations are not accepted.
2. A signed Certificate of Accuracy from the translator. This is a formal statement in which the translator certifies that they are competent to translate from the source language to English and that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge. The certificate must include the translator's signature, printed name, contact information, and the date of certification.
To see exactly what a Certificate of Accuracy must contain and what one looks like, see our guide: What Is a Certificate of Accuracy?
Need a certified birth certificate translation for USCIS? Exacta Translation Services provides complete certified translations in Spanish and French to English. $25 per page — most birth certificates are one page. Certificate of Accuracy always included. Quote sent within 5 minutes.
Get a Free Quote →What Languages Can Birth Certificates Be Translated From?
USCIS accepts certified translations from any language into English. The most commonly translated languages for immigration purposes in the United States include:
- Spanish — birth certificates issued in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Spain
- French — birth certificates issued in France, Haiti, French-speaking African countries, and French territories
- Portuguese — birth certificates issued in Brazil and Portugal
- Chinese — birth certificates issued in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong
- Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog — birth certificates from East and Southeast Asia
- Arabic — birth certificates from Middle Eastern and North African countries
Exacta Translation Services specializes in Spanish and French to English certified translations. For a birth certificate in Spanish, see our Spanish Certified Translation page. For a birth certificate in French, see our French Certified Translation page.
How Long Does a Birth Certificate Translation for USCIS Take?
Most certified birth certificate translations are completed within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the document. Birth certificates are typically one page with standard formatting, making them faster to translate accurately than multi-page legal documents.
The process at Exacta Translation Services works as follows:
- Submit your quote request — takes less than 1 minute, no document upload required
- Receive your payment link by email and text within 5 minutes
- Pay and upload your document on our secure upload page
- Receive your certified translation with Certificate of Accuracy delivered to your inbox within 24–48 hours
If your immigration application has an upcoming deadline, rush delivery within 24 hours is available for a flat fee of $35 — regardless of page count.
How Much Does a Birth Certificate Translation for USCIS Cost?
The cost of a certified birth certificate translation depends on the provider and the number of pages. Here is what you can expect in 2026:
| Provider Type | Typical Cost Per Page |
|---|---|
| Online translation service | $18–$35 |
| Freelance translator | $25–$50 |
| Translation agency | $40–$75 |
| Exacta Translation Services | $25 per page — Certificate of Accuracy included |
Since most birth certificates are one page, the total cost at Exacta Translation Services is $25 for a standard birth certificate translation — with the Certificate of Accuracy included at no extra charge.
Additional services available if needed:
- Rush delivery within 24 hours — $35 flat fee regardless of page count
- Notarization — $29.99 for the first document, $19.99 for each additional
- Physical delivery by tracked mail — $19.99
For a full cost breakdown across all document types, see our guide: How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost in 2026?
Can You Translate Your Own Birth Certificate for USCIS?
No. USCIS regulations explicitly prohibit applicants from translating their own documents. The regulation states that the translator must certify that they are competent to translate and that they are not the applicant.
This requirement exists because the translation must be accompanied by a Certificate of Accuracy — a signed statement in which the translator takes personal responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the translation. An applicant cannot objectively certify their own translation, and USCIS does not accept self-translated documents regardless of the applicant's language skills.
Similarly, AI translation tools such as Google Translate, ChatGPT, and DeepL cannot produce USCIS-compliant translations. The problem is not accuracy — it is certification. No AI tool can sign a Certificate of Accuracy. For a full explanation, see our guide: Can AI Translate My Immigration Documents for USCIS?
A qualified bilingual third party — a professional translation service or a competent bilingual individual who is not the applicant — must provide and certify the translation.
Does a Birth Certificate Translation Need to Be Notarized for USCIS?
No — not for standard USCIS submissions. USCIS requires a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Notarization is an additional step in which a notary public witnesses the translator's signature — but USCIS does not require this additional step for most immigration applications.
Notarization may be required by courts, some state agencies, or other institutions. If you are submitting your translated birth certificate to an institution other than USCIS, check their specific requirements. Notarization is available as an add-on at Exacta Translation Services.
For a full explanation of the difference between certified and notarized translations, see our guide: Certified Translation vs Notarized Translation — What's the Difference?
What If My Birth Certificate Is Damaged, Incomplete, or Handwritten?
USCIS accepts certified translations of birth certificates regardless of condition — including handwritten, partially damaged, or older documents with faded text. The translator's responsibility is to translate what is legible and to note in the translation any portions that are illegible or missing from the original document.
If your birth certificate has significant damage or missing information, note this when requesting your translation so the translator can address it appropriately in the Certificate of Accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. USCIS requires that every foreign-language birth certificate submitted with an immigration application include a complete English translation and a signed Certificate of Accuracy from the translator.
Birth certificate translations are commonly required for Form I-130, Form I-485, Form N-400, Form N-600, and Form N-600K among others. Always review the specific form instructions on the USCIS website before filing.
No. USCIS regulations require that the translator be a competent third party who is not the applicant. The translator must sign a Certificate of Accuracy certifying their competency and the accuracy of the translation.
Most birth certificates are one page. At Exacta Translation Services the cost is $25 per page with the Certificate of Accuracy always included — making most birth certificate translations $25 total.
Standard delivery is within 24–48 hours of receiving your document. Rush delivery within 24 hours is available for a flat fee of $35.
No. USCIS does not require notarization of birth certificate translations in most cases. A signed Certificate of Accuracy from the translator is sufficient. Notarization may be required by courts or other institutions.
USCIS accepts certified translations from any language into English. Exacta Translation Services specializes in Spanish and French to English certified translations — the two most commonly required language pairs for USCIS immigration submissions.