Who Can Translate a Birth Certificate?

Your birth certificate is one of the most fundamental documents you have to prove your identity, and there are many situations requiring the submission of one. From immigration to enrolling in public school or obtaining a passport, many official processes start with a birth certificate. If your birth certificate is in a language other than English, you will most likely be asked to submit a certified English translation alongside the original version. As these are important life events, it’s critical to understand who can translate a birth certificate so you’re not held up in bureaucratic red tape.

Who is certified to translate a birth certificate?

There is no official “certification” a person earns to translate an official document like a birth certificate, although professional translators may obtain accreditation from official associations. Instead, it’s up to your translator to prove their qualifications, and it’s within the discretion of the receiving party to accept it or not. Even for immigration, there is no specific requirement from the USCIS about who can provide a certified translation of a birth certificate or other official document, but you will have to show evidence of who provided the translation and why their translation should be considered accurate. Accreditation from an organization such as the American Translators Association is one way a person shows their qualifications to perform this type of work.

What do you mean by “proof of their qualifications”?

If you’re working with a professional translator, they should have a process to include a statement of their qualifications with the translated document. In short, the statement they provide should consist of:

1. The date of translation
2. Their contact information: full name, mailing address, phone, and email address.
3. Their signature
4. Relevant credentials: professional accreditation, business license, etc.
5. An explanation of their qualifications, including their competency in English and the document’s source (original) language.
6. An attestation that they believe the document is translated accurately and completely.

While a notarized statement is often not required, notarization will help to prove that the person who signed the statement is the person listed on the statement. In this case, you should ask for a notarized affirmation. This notarization requires the signor to present documents to prove their identity and swear an oath that what they’ve signed is genuine and authentic.

The Perfect Translation is qualified to translate a birth certificate for your official needs.

Our team at The Perfect Translation works with clients to translate official documents for all purposes. You’ll be partnered with a translator who has language proficiency and experience managing your type of project to ensure you receive the perfect translation for your needs. We pride ourselves in helping our clients reach the most expedient outcome by preparing accurate translations that meet the official body’s requirements. Contact us today for more information and a free quote.