What is a certified translation of a birth certificate?

A certified translation of a birth certificate is a translation completed by a qualified translator or translation agency, accompanied by a signed statement confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation. It is often required for immigration, university admissions, marriage, or legal purposes.

Do I need a certified translation of my birth certificate for immigration?

Yes. Immigration authorities in the UK, USA, and EU typically require a certified translation of your birth certificate if it is not issued in the official language of the country where you are applying. This ensures your identity details are legally recognised.

Who is authorised to translate and certify a birth certificate?

In the UK, certified translators or translation agencies (often CIOL or ITI members) can provide certified translations. In the USA, USCIS accepts translations with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. In the EU, many countries require sworn translators appointed by government or court authorities.

How much does it cost to translate a birth certificate?

Most certified translations of birth certificates cost around 25 USD / 25 EUR / 25 GBP per page. Prices may vary depending on urgency, language pair, and whether notarisation or sworn translation is required.

How long does it take to get a certified translation of a birth certificate?

Turnaround time for a certified translation of a birth certificate is typically 24–48 hours. Many translation companies also offer urgent or same-day service for an additional fee.

Are certified translations of birth certificates accepted internationally?

Yes, certified translations are generally accepted worldwide, but requirements differ. The UK accepts certified translations from accredited translators, the USA requires a Certificate of Accuracy for USCIS, and the EU often requires sworn translators depending on the country.

Can I submit a digital certified translation of my birth certificate?

In many cases, yes. Immigration offices, universities, and employers often accept PDF certified translations with electronic signatures and stamps. However, some authorities, especially in the EU, may require original hard copies by post or courier.

Is my personal data safe when I submit my birth certificate for translation?

Yes. Professional translation companies use secure upload portals and encrypted storage to protect your documents. Confidentiality agreements are also in place to ensure your personal information remains private.

How to Get a Certified Translation of Your Birth Certificate

Robert Clayton
Sep 20
7 min read

How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate in the UK, USA, EU

How to Get a Certified Translation of Your Birth Certificate in the UK, USA, and EU

Birth certificates are among the most commonly translated personal documents worldwide. Whether for immigration, marriage, study abroad, or employment, authorities often require a certified translation of your birth certificate when it is not issued in the official language of the country where you are applying. How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate in the UK, USA, EU.

The process, however, is not the same everywhere. The requirements for certified translations differ between the UK, USA, and EU, and knowing these differences can save applicants from delays, rejections, or additional costs. How to get a certified translation of documents in the UK, USA, EU.

To illustrate this, let’s explore a real case where a client needed a certified translation of their birth certificate—and see how we, as a professional translation company, responded.

A Real Case: Ana’s Move to Europe

Ana, a Peruvian national, received a job offer from an IT firm in Germany. To secure her work visa, she needed to submit a certified translation of her Spanish-language birth certificate into German. Document translation of documents in the UK, USA, EU.

But that wasn’t the only time her document would be required. Once she moved, she also needed to present the same certified birth certificate for:

Registering her residence in Berlin
Opening a bank account
Signing an employment contract
Future family-related matters such as marriage registration

In Ana’s case, the German authorities required a “sworn translation” of her birth certificate, something quite different from what the UK or USA immigration offices would ask for.

This example shows how one document—your birth certificate—can have multiple real-life applications and how the translation requirements differ significantly depending on where you are submitting it.

Price quote for certified translation of birth certificate

Applications of Certified Birth Certificate Translations in Real Life

Birth certificate translations are required in many everyday and official situations. Some of the most common include:

Immigration and Visa Applications – Immigration offices in the UK, USA, and EU often require certified translations of birth certificates for residency, citizenship, or visa applications.
University Admission – Students applying to universities abroad may need their birth certificates translated as part of the enrollment process.
Marriage Abroad – Civil registrars frequently request certified translations of birth certificates for marriage registrations.
Employment and HR Compliance – Employers abroad may ask for translated birth certificates to verify an employee’s personal details.
Banking and Legal Affairs – Banks, notaries, and courts may require certified translations for official identity verification.

Decision-makers in these scenarios include immigration officers, university registrars, HR departments, and legal authorities—all of whom rely on certified translations to confirm the authenticity of the applicant’s identity.

Differences Between Certified Translations in the UK, USA, and EU

Here’s where things get interesting. While the purpose of a certified translation is universal—ensuring an official authority can trust the translated document—the requirements vary across regions.

United Kingdom (UK)

In the UK, a certified translation of a birth certificate must:

Be completed by a qualified translator or translation agency
Include a signed statement of accuracy
Provide the translator’s details and credentials
Include the date of translation

UK authorities, such as the Home Office, typically accept certified translations from translators who are members of professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate in the United Kingdom.

United States (USA)

In the USA, the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has its own rules. Birth certificate translations must include a Certificate of Accuracy, which contains:

A statement that the translation is accurate and complete
The translator’s name and signature
The date of translation

The key difference: in the USA, there is no requirement for the translator to be part of a professional association. However, USCIS requires strict compliance with their certification format. How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate in the United States.

European Union (EU)

In the EU, requirements vary by country, but many states (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, etc.) require sworn translations. This means the translation must be done by a sworn translator, who has been officially appointed by a court or government body.

For example:

Germany – Translations must be done by a “vereidigte Übersetzer” (sworn translator).
France – Only “traducteurs assermentés” (court-certified translators) can produce valid translations.
Spain – A “traductor jurado” appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.

This makes EU-certified translations more formal and, at times, more expensive. How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate in the European Union.

How We Respond to Birth Certificate Translation Requests

When a client like Ana approaches us, our role as a translation company is to ensure:

Secure Document Submission – The client sends us a scan or photo of their birth certificate using encrypted upload methods.
Requirement Verification – We ask where the translation will be submitted (UK, USA, or specific EU country) to meet the correct legal requirements.
Assigning the Right Translator –
- For UK clients, we assign a certified professional translator.
- For USA clients, we provide a translation with the USCIS Certificate of Accuracy.
- For EU clients, we partner with sworn translators in the relevant country.
Producing the Translation – The document is translated word-for-word, with formatting preserved.
Certification and Delivery – The translation is stamped, signed, and sent as a digital PDF or hard copy, depending on the authority’s requirement.

This systematic approach guarantees the translation will be accepted without delays.

Most Frequently Requested Languages for Birth Certificate Translation

The demand for birth certificate translations reflects global migration and study-abroad trends. The most common language pairs include:

Spanish ↔ English – Latin American and Spanish citizens applying in the UK or USA
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from Spanish to English
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from German to English
Portuguese ↔ English – Brazilian applicants for UK/USA visas
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from Portuguese to English
Russian ↔ English – Immigration and business purposes in the UK/EU
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from Russian to English
Arabic ↔ English – Middle Eastern applicants
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from Arabic to English
Chinese ↔ English – Students applying for study abroad
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from Chinese to English
French ↔ English/German – EU mobility and academic exchanges
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from French to English
How to get a certified translation of Birth Certificate from Hebrew to English

Why Certified Translations of Birth Certificates Are Required

Authorities insist on certified translations for one main reason: trust.

A birth certificate is a legal proof of identity. Without certification, a translation could be incomplete, inaccurate, or even fraudulent. Certified translations ensure:

Legal validity
Consistency across borders
Compliance with immigration and civil authorities

Prospects and Benefits of Certified Birth Certificate Translations

For clients:

Opens doors to visas, citizenship, education, marriage, and work opportunities abroad
Saves time by ensuring documents are accepted the first time
Provides peace of mind knowing the translation is legally valid

For translation companies:

A steady demand due to global migration and international study
Opportunities to provide added-value services (e.g., notarisation, sworn translations, apostille guidance)
Long-term client relationships as clients often return for translations of other documents

Pricing for Birth Certificate Translations

We keep pricing straightforward. A standard birth certificate translation costs:

25 USD / 25 EUR / 25 GBP per page

Turnaround time:

24–48 hours for standard service
Same-day delivery available for urgent cases

This flat rate ensures transparency and affordability for clients.

Who Is Qualified to Translate and Certify Birth Certificates?

The answer depends on the region:

UK – Certified translators or agencies, often members of CIOL or ITI
USA – Any professional translator or agency, provided they supply a Certificate of Accuracy
EU – Sworn translators officially appointed by government or court authorities

In every case, the translator must be qualified, experienced, and accountable.

Certified translation of birth certificates is a simple but essential step for anyone moving across borders. As Ana’s story showed, a single translated document can unlock opportunities for immigration, employment, and everyday life abroad.

But the rules are not the same everywhere. The UK, USA, and EU each have unique requirements, and working with a professional translation company ensures compliance from the start. https://www.translate-document.com/certificate-translation

At a clear and affordable rate of 25 USD/EUR/GBP, certified translations of birth certificates are a small investment that carries life-changing value—whether you’re applying for a visa, enrolling at a university, or beginning a new career overseas.