Guides
Certified Birth Certificate Translation for USCIS in NJ
Almost every immigration filing that involves a family member, from a green card petition to a naturalization application, asks for a birth certificate. If that certificate is in Spanish, USCIS requires a complete English translation with a signed certification from the translator. Here is exactly what the rule says and how to get a translation that will not come back with a Request for Evidence.
What the USCIS rule actually requires
The requirement is in the federal regulations at 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): any document containing a foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, along with the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
Three things follow. The translation must be complete, including stamps, seals, margin notes, and handwritten entries. It must be certified in writing by the translator. And the translator must state their competence. USCIS does not require notarization, although some other agencies and foreign consulates do.
Who can translate, and who should not
USCIS does not require a translator to be licensed or hold a particular credential; it requires the signed certification described above. In practice, officers look for a translation that is professional, complete, and formatted like the original.
Translating your own document, or having the applicant's spouse or parent do it, is generally discouraged: the person certifying accuracy should not be the person who benefits from the filing. An independent bilingual translator avoids that question.
What you receive from Fermin Consulting
- A full English translation that mirrors the layout of your acta de nacimiento, including the registry seal, the officer's signature block, and any marginal notes about corrections or late registration.
- A signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy on letterhead stating that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in Spanish and English, with contact information and date.
- A clean PDF to upload to your USCIS online account, plus a printed copy if you file by mail. Turnaround is usually one to two business days.
- Pricing: $25 for the first page and $10 for each additional page. A standard birth certificate is one page; a long-form Mexican or Dominican acta with the back filled in may count as two.
Common mistakes that cause delays
Sending a summary instead of a word-for-word translation. Leaving out the back of the document or the seals. Submitting a translation without the signed certification. Spelling a name differently from the passport.
We check names and dates against your other documents before we sign. Michael Fermin is a New Jersey notary public and translator, not an attorney; we do not advise on which forms to file or on immigration strategy. For those questions, talk to an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.
Common questions
- Does the translation need to be notarized for USCIS?
- No. USCIS requires the translator's signed certification of completeness, accuracy, and competence, not a notary seal. If another agency or a foreign consulate asks for a notarized translation, we can add that at your appointment.
- Do I send the original birth certificate with the translation?
- USCIS generally wants a copy of the original foreign-language document together with the certified translation. Do not mail the original unless USCIS specifically asks for it.
- Can you translate other documents for the same filing?
- Yes. Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police records, school records, and letters are translated at the same per-page rate, and we can bundle them into one certification package.
This guide is general information from a New Jersey notary public, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult an attorney.
Sources
Official pages and primary sources used for this guide. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the issuing office.