We Translate Birth Certificates from Spanish to English for USCIS in 4-24 Hours, Certified, Guaranteed

One of our most common requests is to translate birth certificates to English for immigration proposes. Since 2007, we have completed thousands of birth certificate translations for USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), the National Visa Center, and many other federal, state and local agencies. Documents received by 9PM will be ready the following morning around 9AM, guaranteed. We also provide Spanish to English translation for other certificates, such as marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce certificates and divorce decrees, criminal background checks, police certifications, and other similar documents. Additionally, we translate from English to Spanish, Portuguese to English, French to English, and Italian to English. When needed, we have notarized translation services available. One of our most common requests is Mexican birth certificate translation from Spanish to English for USCIS, but we can translate documents from dozens of countries. Some birth certificates must be translated and also notarized, usually for marriage, passport applications, local governments or submission abroad.

The Highest Rated Translation Service in the United States with 99.9% 5-star Reviews

How did we become one of the highest rated translation services in the United States? We keep our process simple, publish most rates online, complete most projects in 24 hours or less, and fully guarantee all work. Since one of our specialties is to translate birth certificates for USCIS (formerly INS), NVC and other federal, state and local agencies, domestic and foreign governments, schools, business and more, we have several offices in a variety of cities, most of which have only 5-Star reviews. In only a few out of hundreds of reviews have 4-Star reviews been left for our services. If you have any questions, issues or need more information, you can call, email or text us anytime; we are always glad to help.

How Did We Become the Highest Rated Translation Service in the Nation?

We NEVER outsource your documents

We NEVER use computer translation

We ALWAYS send a certified electronic copy by email

We ALWAYS provide the total cost in advance

We ALWAYS guarantee all of our work

We ALWAYS complete translations in 24 hours or less

It is that simple. If you shop around, you will see that most translators provide services in hundreds of languages, which means that they just outsource their work as not one translator in America employs more than twenty translators. These translation companies use third-party translation service providers; we do not. Also, many companies use translation software to translate all documents and then simply edit the document quickly; we never do this. Also, many translators no longer send hard copies, that is, physical copies or paper copies as they are not required for immigration, USCIS purposes; however, schools, local governments and courts still require original copies; we always mail originals free of charge whereas many translators charge $15 to $20 for paper copies.

Standard Rate Comparison: Southeast Spanish vs. Other Translators

There are a lot of deceptive pricing models in translation. Many translators advertise rock-bottom prices per page and then add on a lot of additional charges. When comparing rates, you will find that our birth certificate translation rates are always lower, our service is always better and our completed translations are always higher quality. See how our rates are lower with the following cost comparison:

Our Rates, Including Essential Services

  • Birth Certificate Translation (Front and Back): $49
  • Additional Pages: $0
  • Over 200 Words: $0
  • 4-24 Hour Service: $0
  • Notarization by a 3rd Party: $9
  • Standard Shipping: $4
  • FedEx 2 Day Shipping: $10
  • FedEx Overnight Shipping: $29
  • NEVER outsourced
  • NEVER computer translated
  • ALWAYS fully guaranteed, in all cases, period.
Order Your USCIS Certified Birth Certificate Translation Today

Their Rates, Including Essential Services

  • Birth Certificate Translation: $20-$25 per page
  • Additional Pages: $20-$25
  • Over 200 Words: $20-$25 charge
  • 4-24 Hour Service: $15-$50
  • Notarization by a 3rd Party: $10-$25
  • Standard Shipping: $10-$20
  • FedEx 2 Day Shipping: $20-$30
  • FedEx Overnight Shipping: $30-$50
  • Most likely outsourced, especially if offering 10+ languages
  • Many translators use programs to translate and simply edit lightly
  • Limited guarantee with lots of fine print and exceptions
Order Your USCIS Certified Birth Certificate Translation Today

Additionally, we guarantee everything, period. A rejected translation is a worthless translation, so we do what it takes to get the translation accepted, or we will refund the translation in full. Aside from these points, excellent customer service and years of expertise have pushed us to the top of the translation industry; yet, by choice, we continue to be a small, service-oriented translation agency, and we are in business to help you. Call or email with any questions, and you will see what makes us much different than all other translation services.

Order My Certified Translation Online

info@sespanish.com

(877) 374-0095 (office), (877) 376-2085 (cell)

Our Birth Certificate Translation Process is Very Simple

1) You do not need to come to us. Just text a picture of your birth certificate to us, fax it to us, scan and email it or take a picture and email it.

2) Once we receive the image, we will confirm the rate, which is $49 including the federal certification process. Our certification is approved for USCIS and other federal, state and local agencies. If you’re translation is for the DMV, BMV, MVD, RMV, or other drivers license agencies, please let us know. These offices require additional forms, which are provided for no additional charge. You can also click on the following link to pay now.

Order My Certified Translation Online

3) From that point, we will send an invoice or you can pay on our site, in both cases, you are able to pay using your credit card or another form of payment. PayPal will ask for your mailing address and provide it to us. You do not need to register or have a PayPal account to pay.

4) Once paid, we will translate and return your translation in two forms: 1) A certified email copy that is USCIS approved, delivered by email in 12-24 hours. This version can be printed or uploaded as needed. 2) Hard-copies (original copies) of your certified translation will be mailed to your home.

5) Your completed translation package (mailed via USPS 1st class mail) includes: One copy of the translated birth certificate (certified, stamped, signed). One copy of your original birth certificate (certified, stamped, signed). One copy of our certification letter, which is valid in all states and overseas. An invoice marked as paid, which will serve as your receipt.

6) If you ever need additional copies, we will be glad to send them to you for only a few dollars (typically $7 with standard mailing), even years after your initial purchase. All of our translations are fully guaranteed.

Our certification follows all guidelines stipulated by USCIS, see below. Additionally, it is compliant with additional state and local regulations.

USCIS Standard Wording for Certified Translations

Source: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Information about Translating Foreign Documents for the Department of State, Passport Applications and Requests

Our Translation Pricing is Simple

The cost to translate a birth certificate is always $49, all of which includes the federal, USCIS certification process, which is valid in all fifty states and abroad. We have standard rates for birth certificates; however, many of the nation’s largest translation agencies charge per page, such as Universal Translation Services and Rush Translate. Their prices may seem lower at first, but after reading the fine print, the rate-per page is only valid for pages with 200 words or less, which makes the final price much higher. Additionally, other services, such as Day Translations, will charge per page, and then charge a separate fee for mailing. While all of these translators may be respectable companies, we prefer to provide all costs in advance and include everything necessary for an accurate birth certificate translation that is guaranteed to be accepted the first time.

Please click to check out our current Translation Rates


Order My Certified Translation Online

info@sespanish.com

(877) 374-0095 (office), (877) 376-2085 (cell)


Translation Tips and Common Issues in Spanish to English Translation

Over the past twelve years, we have translated many, many birth certificates from all Spanish-speaking countries, many from European and African countries as well (those written in Spanish French, Portuguese and Italian).

The following are problematic terms that other translators often ask us about, all of which are commonly found on vital records issued by civil registry offices in Latin American countries:

“Doy fe” We always translate it as: “I attest”, although we have seen translators write “doy fe” as I certify or even I swear. We feel that the best English translation of doy fe is I attest. This term doy fe is found on nearly all Mexican birth certificate translations as well as birth certificate translations from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

“En fe de lo cual” We typically write: “In witness whereof”. The term in witness whereof is rarely, if ever, used in conversational speech. In witness whereof is typically only used in legal documentation and is found in a sentence certifying a document or the content of a legal document or statement. Most legal documents in Latin America conclude with “En fe de lo cual” before the signature line. En fe de lo cual in English should translate to in witness whereof in most cases.

“Registro civil”, although simple, it can be complicated. We typically use “civil registry”; however, “Office of Vital Records” or “Bureau of Vital Statistics” or other similar terms are all completely acceptable. Registro civil in English should be translated to civil registry, civil registry office, or vital records office as the term itself, registro civil, translates to all three options.

“Oficialía” is also very similar. It can mean: “registry office” or “civil Registry office”, but it can mean “office of vital Records” or simply “branch office. For the purpose of most translations, “registry office” is acceptable.

“Acta” is a pretty simple term, but it has been translated poorly in many cases. Most of the time, it should be translated just as “certificate” such as “acta de nacimiento” or “birth certificate”. We have seen many, many low quality translations use the term act of birth which is never accurate or an acceptable translation for acta de nacimiento. Acta de nacimiento always means birth certificate in English.

“Folio” is term that can be translated as “page” or “sheet” or just left as “folio”. All options are acceptable. Customers ask what folio in English birth certificates mean, and the simple answer is just page, sheet or just folio. It is used to establish the location of the original birth certificate in the vital records office or office of the civil registry. Likewise, the term folio in Spanish birth certificates can be translated as page, sheet or left as folio as well.

“Proximo pasado” is an odd one. I had a native speaker of Spanish ask once: “what does proximo pasado mean?” This is a common term on Honduran birth certificates and it simply means: last month or the past month.

“Hago constar” is another common term that can be used as “I attest”, “I testify”, “I put on the record”, “I affirm” or even “I certify that”, “I hereby certify that”, or “I hereby state that”. For the purposes of most immigration translations, we use “I attest”. Although hago constar can be translated in several ways, when someone asks how do you say hago constar in English, the best translation is I attest.

“Juez” or “Juez central” is simply judge, but for the purposes of most marriage certificates, the term “magistrate” or even “justice of the peace” is sometimes used.

“Lic.” or “Licenciado” is not translated in English as it really has no English equivalent; it is used for someone who has completed an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree. In translation, it is just removed from the name.

“Negativa de Nacimiento” is an uncommon but simple term we see from time to time on RENAP issued birth certificates from Guatemala. The best English translation of negativa de nacimiento is “Birth Certificate Copy” or even “Birth Certificate Extract”.

“Certificacion del expediente de vida” is a term used on some birth certificates from Honduras. The term translates to “Birth Certificate” or similar. Honduran birth certificates are issued by the “Registro nacional de las personas” and “Registro civil municipal” both are found on birth certificate from Honduras, which are listed as “certificacion de acta de nacimiento”. Both terms translate to “civil registry” or “national civil registry” or “municipal civil registry”. 

Also, birth certificates from Honduras, or Honduran birth certificates are always written as certificacion de acta de nacimiento, which some translators transate to English  as birth certificate certification; however, that partucular translation is too literal. The best English translation of certificacion de acta de nacimeinto in Honduran birth certificates is certified birth certificate, which is less literal but more accurate when translating birth certificates from Honduras.

“El infascrito registrador civil municipal” is just “the undersigned municipal civil registrar.” This is also common on vital records from Honduras. El infascrito registrador civil municipal can also be translated in English as the undersigned local registrar, which shares a similar meaning and is acceptable for Honduran birth certificate translations.

Accent marks in names and cities. In the past, the government asked us to remove ALL accent marks when translating into English; however, now it is common to leave them from time to time. The standard in Spanish to English translation is to remove non-standard characters as they will only cause issues when submitting a translation. Think about going to the DMV, will their system be able to type or use certain characters that are found in American English? If not, your translation could be rejected. For this reason, we prefer to remove all accent marks. However, if you prefer to use them, just let us know. 

We get calls all the time from cities where we have offices, such as Denver, Baltimore, Arlington VA, Nashville TN, Columbia SC, Tampa FL, Orlando, Kissimmee and Buenaventura Lakes Florida (BVL), but we can translate for customers from Seattle and Portland, to Miami since we do not need the original documents to complete an official translation. Call or email for more info.


Order My Certified Translation Online

info@sespanish.com

(877) 374-0095 (office)
(877) 376-2085 (cell)

Instructions about How to Translate a Birth Certificate for USCIS

Fast video about how we translate birth certificates for USCIS

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Birth Certificate Translation:

How much is a certified birth certificate translation?

The total cost is $49 to translate a birth certificate, which includes professional Spanish to English translation, certification, electronic copies for immigration purposes (USCIS) and hard-copies delivered by mail. Certification is no extra charge; it is included in all translations. Marriage certificates, background checks and diplomas are also always $49, even for certified translations and two-page certificates.

How long does it take to get a translation for USCIS?

12 to 24 hours. Most USCIS birth certificate translations are completed in 24 hours or less; however, in some cases, we can translate them in only a few hours. If we receive the document at night, it will be ready early the next morning. If we receive your birth certificate in the morning, most likely it will be ready later in the afternoon. We always provide an estimated completion time with our official quote for translation.

Where can I translate my birth certificate to English?

Southeast Spanish is the national leader in birth certificate translation from Spanish to English for USCIS. Birth certificates can also be translated from French, Portuguese and Italian to English. Southeast Spanish has award wining service, guaranteed delivery times, a national certification for document translation, and all work is fully guaranteed. Certified translation can be ordered online, by phone or in person (in some cases).

Are hard-copies provided with the translation?

Yes, we always mail the hard-copies, that is, the original copies, free of charge. The stamped, signed, sealed, original version will be printed on 32lb paper and mailed to your home or office. We can ship via FedEx 2 day or FedEx overnight as well.

Do I need to bring in the original birth certificate?

No; as translators we do not verify authenticity of the original document. All we need is a copy, image, picture, scanned version, PDF or any sort of image that we can print, stamp and sign as the source document, that is, the document we have translated. This practice is in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding official, certified document translation.

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation, in the United States, is when an official translator stamps and signs each page (a copy of the original, source document and the translated page) and includes a sworn affidavit, translator’s certification, or translator’s affidavit. This affidavit must be written or printed on company letter head, provide necessary credentials and use government mandated wording. This is known as a sworn translation in Europe and other regions. When we translate birth certificates to English, we include the certification process.

Additionally, a certified translation is a translation of a document that has been stamped and signed by a professional translator, and includes a statement of accuracy. The translator certifies that, to the best of their knowledge, the translation is an accurate and true representation of the original document.

In some cases, certifications may be issued by a translation agency, rather than an individual translator, and they will be responsible for ensuring that the translation is accurate.

Certified translations are often required for official documents, such as immigration paperwork, legal documents, and educational transcripts. They are used to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the translated document for government agencies, embassies, and other organizations that need to review the translated document.

It’s worth noting that there are some countries or regions that have different requirements for the certification of translations. Some countries may require notarization of translations, while others may have specific requirements for the format of the certification. It’s important to check with the specific authorities or organization that will be reviewing the document to confirm their requirements.

Are notarized translations the same as certified translations?

No; certified translations are required in most cases, especially for US immigration (USCIS); notarized translations are required for passports, international submission, apostilles and some DMV applications.

Who can translate legal documents for USCIS?

Legal documents for USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) must be translated by a qualified and certified translator. There are several options for who can translate legal documents for USCIS:

Professional translators: You can hire a professional translator to translate your legal documents. You can find professional translators through translation agencies, online marketplaces, or by searching for freelance translators. Make sure to check their qualifications, certifications, and references before hiring them.

Certified translation services: Some translation agencies or individual translators offer certified translation services. These translations are stamped and signed by the translator and include a statement of accuracy. They may be required by USCIS as proof of authenticity.

ATA Certified Translators: Some translators are certified by the American Translators Association (ATA) which is a professional organization for translators and interpreters. They have passed a rigorous exam and met the high standards required by the ATA.

State-certified translators: Some states require translators to be certified by the state in order to translate official documents. These translators have passed a test or met certain education and experience requirements.

Notarized Translation: Some documents may require notarization, which is a process where a notary public (a public official who is authorized to witness the signing of legal documents) certifies that the translation is accurate and true.

It’s important to check with the USCIS for their specific requirements and to confirm which type of translation is accepted by them. It is also recommended to use the services of a translator who has experience translating legal documents for USCIS, as the language and terms used in immigration paperwork can be complex.

Does USCIS require translations to be notarized?

USCIS generally does not require translations to be notarized. However, in some cases, notarization may be required as an additional step to verify the authenticity of a document or translation. Some examples of when notarization may be required include:

When submitting a document from a foreign country that requires notarization in order to be valid in that country.

When submitting a document that has been altered or modified in any way, notarization may be required to verify that the changes were made by an authorized party.

It’s always important to check with the specific USCIS office or application instructions for their requirements, as they can vary depending on the document and the specific application.

It’s also worth noting that notarized translations are not the same as certified translations. Notarized translations are translations that have been signed and stamped by a notary public, while certified translations are translations that have been stamped and signed by a translator, and include a statement of accuracy.

What is an official translation?

A certified translation is the same as an official birth certificate translation. Our translations are considered both official and certified. We are able to translate birth certificates to English in a certified, notarized, USCIS approved form in 24 hours or less.

An official translation is a translation of a document that has been done by an authorized or authorized translator and it is intended for official use. An official translation is typically required for legal, governmental, or other official matters. The official translation is intended to provide an accurate and true representation of the original document, and is used to verify the authenticity of the translated document for official purposes.

An official translation can be done by a translator who is authorized by a government agency or professional organization. In some cases, a translation agency that holds a government contract for translation services may be authorized to provide official translations. They will typically be required to meet certain standards of quality and accuracy.

How do you say birth certificate in Spanish?

There are really three or four ways to say birth certificate in Spanish or certificate of birth in Spanish. Here are a few options based on different counties: Mexican Birth Certificate Translation (Mexico), Acta de Nacimiento; in Guatemala the common term is: Certificado de Nacimiento; In El Salvador: Partida de Nacimiento; Honduras: Certificacion de Acta de Nacimiento, Nicaragua and Panama: Certificado de Nacimiento, Costa Rica: Registro de Nacimiento, Colombia: Registro de Nacimiento, Venezuela: Partida de Nacimiento, Ecuador: Inscripcion de Nacimiento, Peru: Acta de Nacimiento, Argentina, Cuba and Dominican Birth Certificate (Dominican Republic): Acta Inextensa de Nacimiento, Brazil: Certidão de nascimento. The key term in Mexican birth certificate translation, as well as for many other countries is ‘nacimiento’ and the word for certificate is has a variety of options including ‘partida’, ‘certificado,’ ‘registro’ or ‘acta’. Summary: there are a lot of different ways to say birth certificate in Spanish, so find out where you need to use the term and adjust accordingly.

Where can I get an affordable and fast Mexican birth certificate translation?

At Southeast Spanish, we have some of the most affordable rates in the nation when you consider everything you need for your official, certified birth certificate translation. Additionally, we can provide a Mexican birth certificate translation in only a few hours in many cases, and all are completed in 24 hours or less. All are certified, official and fully guaranteed.

Are your translations considered official translations?

Yes, all of our translations are considered official translations and certified translations within the United States. Call or email if you need to translate birth certificates to English but plan to submit the translation abroad. We can do that too, but the process is a little more complicated and we need to know a little about where the document is going and what it is being used for.

What are the qualifications of a professional translator?

The qualifications of a professional translator can vary depending on the country and industry, but typically include the following:

Education: Most professional translators have a bachelor’s degree or higher in translation, linguistics, or a related field. Some translators also have degrees in other fields but have taken additional coursework or certifications in translation.

Certification: Many professional translators hold certifications from national or international organizations, such as the American Translators Association (ATA) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI).

Professional experience: Professional translators have significant experience translating in their language pairs and in their specialized fields.

Specialization: Many professional translators specialize in certain industries or fields, such as legal, medical, technical, or financial translation.

Language skills: Professional translators have advanced proficiency in at least two languages and are able to accurately convey meaning and cultural context.

Technology skills: Many professional translators use specialized software and tools to assist with translation and localization projects.

Professionalism: Professional translators are reliable, timely, and able to meet their clients’ needs.

It’s important to note that some countries or industries may have different qualifications and certifications for professional translators. Additionally, not all professional translators have all of these qualifications, but the more qualifications a translator has, the better equipped they are to provide high-quality, accurate translations.

Can I translate my own birth certificate for USCIS?

Technically, you are able to translate your own birth certificate for USCIS, but it is not recommended. USCIS requires that translations be done by a professional translator or translation agency, as they need to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the translated document. A professional translator has the necessary skills and knowledge to produce an accurate and reliable translation.

A self-translated document may be rejected by USCIS as it may not meet their translation standards and may raise doubt about the authenticity of the document. It’s always best to have your documents translated by a professional translator, to ensure that they are accepted by USCIS and to avoid any delays or complications in your immigration process.

Additionally, it is worth noting that in some cases, it may be required to have a certified translation, which is a translation that has been stamped and signed by a professional translator, and includes a statement of accuracy. This statement certifies that the translation is an accurate and true representation of the original document.

How do I order a translation online?

That is an easy question: yes, you can do everything online or call, click or email your document to us, and we will provide a certified Spanish to English translation in 24 hours or less.

Dan H., Ph.D., Professional Translator
Order My Certified Translation Online
info@sespanish.com
(877) 374-0095 (office), (877) 376-2085 (cell)

One thought on “USCIS Birth Certificate Translation from Spanish to English

  1. Diana C. (Albuquerque, NM) Post author

    I didn’t know how to get my birth certificate translated into English. (It is a Mexican birth certificate.) I searched and found Southeast Spanish, and they made it really simple. I just texted a picture of the BC to Dan, he sent an invoice from PayPal, and two hours later he emailed the eCopy of the translation and certification letter. Also, he sent the hard copies in the mail, which arrived in just two days. Thanks! This was really, really easy!

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