What You Need to Know When Requesting Birth Certificate Translation

Certified Birth Certificate Translation

Birth Certificate Translation Services

Birth certificates are undoubtedly among the most frequent requests for translating documents. A birth certificate is a vital record submitted as part of critical application processes, including USCIS applications, visa applications, college applications, and legal proceedings.

With the steady growth of movement around the world, be it for study abroad or immigration, we consistently receive a high volume of birth certificate translation requests every year. Below is a list of essential aspects of birth certificate translation that you should know when sending your document for translation services:

  1. USCIS Birth Certificate Translation: When you request a birth certificate translation, you are most likely looking for certified translation services. If you want to immigrate to or work and study in a foreign country, a simple translation is not enough! Agencies, including USCIS, explicitly require all document translations to include a formal statement attesting to the translator’s competence to translate the language needed and the accuracy of the translation.
  2. You Cannot Translate Your Own Birth Certificate: You cannot receive a certification for your translation. No matter how fluent you are in the language of your birth certificate, you cannot certify your own translation. When a professional translation company translates your document, they can certify the translation as a non-beneficiary party in your application process. Certified translations of birth certificates must be done by a third party that can attest to the accuracy of the work. Again, – we cannot certify a translation done by you or a relative; a translation can only be certified by the translation company delivering the translation!
  3. Certified vs Notarized Translation Services: “Certification” and “Notarization” are two very different things! A certified translation of a document is not a notarization of the translation. While a certification of an official document translation attests to the accuracy of the translation and competency of the translator, a notarization of the translation attests to the authenticity of the signature on the certification. Notarizations are performed by a notary public who signs the document and adds its seal and registration number to the certification after the certificate’s issuer signs it in front of the notary public.
  4. For an Accurate Translation, Get a Certified Birth Certificate Translation: The certified translation is valid forever unless the requesting agency states otherwise. Generally, the certification of an official document translation does not expire. The requesting agency may occasionally request an up-to-date certified translation, which can be quickly provided upon request.
  5. There are Rules for Translating a Foreign Language Document: Name changes and spelling corrections are not allowed when translating birth certificates. Some vital records may contain spelling errors. However, this does not permit a professional translation company to make any corrections when delivering certified translation services! The strict rule of certified translation requires that the translated document accurately reflect the original document, including spellings of names and cities. If you see an error in your birth certificate, contact the official office that produced the document and request a corrected document.
  6. Everything About Your Original Birth Certificate Needs Translation: Everything, including seals, stamps, and signatures, must be translated. In keeping with the rule of completion and accuracy, certified translations include translations of all the information on each page, including stamps, seals, and signatures. Any part that cannot be read is indicated as “illegible” within the translation- this is a common practice for a professional translation company.

We receive birth certificates that are mostly handwritten, which can result in multiple “illegible” parts when translating documents. To ensure complete translation in these instances, the owner of the birth certificate should be requested to provide the proper spelling of the handwritten names. The translator would then include these names in the certified translation.

Legal translation is often requested with birth certificate translation, as both are frequently required to handle legal immigration matters.  The points above are just as applicable when translating legal documents, especially given the complexity of the legal language.  A skilled and experienced legal translator must be utilized to guarantee the accuracy of a legal translation.

Select a Reliable Professional Translation Service Provider

At JR Language, we understand the importance of accurate birth certificate translations. Our team of professional translators has extensive experience ensuring that your documents are translated with precision and meet all the USCIS requirements. Do not let any errors in translations delay your immigration or academic pursuits. Work with a professional translation agency like ours, receive a free quote, and quickly meet your official translation needs.

Beyond birth certificate translations, our certified translation services encompass translations of immunization records, divorce certificate translation, and more. Need your birth certificate translated urgently? Contact us today to get started. We will handle your certified translation needs, such as birth certificate translations, with the excellence you deserve.

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