If you're filing an immigration petition with USCIS and your birth certificate is in any language other than English, you must submit a certified English translation alongside it. Get this wrong and you risk a Request for Evidence (RFE) — or an outright denial. Here's everything you need to know in 2026.

Does USCIS Require My Birth Certificate to Be Translated?

Yes. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any foreign-language document submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English translation, plus a signed statement from the translator certifying that the translation is accurate and that they are competent to translate it.

This applies to nearly every family-based and employment-based petition, including:

  • Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
  • Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
  • Form N-400 (Naturalization)
  • Form I-765 (Work Authorization)

What Makes a Birth Certificate Translation "Certified"

A certified translation is not a notarized translation, and it is not an AI translation. It is a complete, accurate translation accompanied by a Certificate of Accuracy that includes:

  • A statement that the translation is complete and accurate
  • The translator's name, signature, and date
  • A statement of the translator's competence to translate the language pair

No AI tool — ChatGPT, Google Translate, DeepL — can sign this statement. That single requirement is why AI-only translations are rejected.

Why USCIS Rejects Birth Certificate Translations

The most common reasons a birth certificate translation gets flagged:

  • No signed certification statement. The translation is accurate but lacks the required attestation.
  • Incomplete translation. Stamps, seals, and marginal notes were skipped. USCIS requires everything on the document to be translated, including official seals.
  • Formatting mismatch. The translation doesn't visually correspond to the original, making it hard for the officer to verify.
  • Name and date inconsistencies. Transliteration of names doesn't match the rest of the petition.

How Long Does It Take?

A standard birth certificate is short — typically 250 to 400 words — so turnaround is fast. Expect 24 to 48 hours for standard service, with same-day rush available when a filing deadline is looming.

How Much Does It Cost?

At a per-word rate of $0.05, a typical birth certificate translation costs about $15–25, fully certified and formatted. Beware providers who charge a separate "certification fee" — the certificate should always be included.

What to Look For in a Provider

  • A USCIS acceptance guarantee — if USCIS rejects the translation, the provider fixes it free and covers resubmission
  • Mirror formatting that matches your original document
  • Translation of every element, including seals and stamps
  • A free sample so you can verify quality first

The Bottom Line

USCIS requires a certified English translation of every foreign-language birth certificate, complete with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Use a qualified human translator — never an AI tool — translate every seal and stamp, and confirm the certification is included in the price. Done right, it's a fast, inexpensive step that protects your entire petition.