CUBAN DOCUMENT TRANSLATION
Cuban Police Record Translation for USCIS
A certified translation of a Cuban police record (Certificación de antecedentes penales) for USCIS costs about $15–25 and is delivered in 24–48 hours, with a signed Certificate of Accuracy that meets 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Translation HelpDesk uses native Spanish-speaking specialists, and if USCIS rejects our translation we fix it free and cover your resubmission fee.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Victor Luján, Founder — certified translations since 2018
WHAT WE TRANSLATE
The Cuban Police Record (Certificación de antecedentes penales)
The Cuban police clearance is the Certificación de antecedentes penales, drawn from the Registro Central de Sancionados within the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS) and printed on letter-size white paper; both the older and current MINJUS layouts are accepted. It states whether the person has or has no registered sanctions, with the MINJUS seal and an authorizing signature. Critically for US-bound cases, MINJUS requires the physical fiscal stamp (sello de timbre) rather than electronic payment when the destination is the United States, and it generally does not add MINJUS legalization for the US, so the paper stamp must appear and be translated. Per MINJUS Resolution 609/2023 the certificate is valid one year, but USCIS and the National Visa Center usually want one issued within six months, so translate the emission date prominently. For USCIS, provide a full English translation of the certificate text, the timbre, the seal legend, and the signature block, plus a signed translator's certification. Carry both surnames through exactly as spelled on the certificate.
WHO ISSUES IT
Where Your Cuban Police Record Comes From
Cuban police and criminal-record certificates are issued by the national or state police and justice authorities described above — not the civil registry. Cuba is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Cuban documents cannot receive an apostille; they instead follow the consular legalization chain — legalized inside Cuba by the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS, which absorbed this function from the foreign ministry MINREX in 2025) and then by the appropriate consulate. Full Cuba apostille & authentication guidance →
USCIS REQUIREMENTS
How USCIS Wants Your Cuban Police Record Translated
For your Cuban police record, USCIS requires a complete English translation of everything on the page — the issuing office’s details, seals, and any marginal notes included — plus a signed certification of accuracy under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Machine translation cannot sign that certification. We reproduce the document's exact layout so an officer can compare it line by line against your Cuban original.
WATCH OUT FOR
Common Cuban Police Record Pitfalls
Cuban police and criminal-record certificates must show exact coverage dates and the issuing authority, and because they often expire quickly, the translation should be scheduled close to your filing date.
Native Cuban Specialist
A native speaker of your document's language handles it — not a generalist or a machine.
Format-Matched to the Original
The original layout, seals, and stamps reproduced in position.
USCIS Acceptance Guaranteed
If USCIS rejects it citing the translation, we fix it free and cover your resubmission fee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cuban police record translation cost?
A standard Cuban police record is typically $15-25 total, certified and formatted, delivered in 24-48 hours. Pricing is $0.05 per word; longer or multi-page documents are quoted exactly before you pay.
Is your Cuban police record translation accepted by USCIS?
Yes. Every translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). If USCIS rejects it citing the translation, we correct it free and reimburse your resubmission fee.
How should Cuban two-surname names appear in the translation?
Exactly as written. Cubans carry a paternal and a maternal surname, and married women keep their birth surnames, so we reproduce names verbatim to match your passport and other filings. Mismatched or 'merged' names are a common cause of Requests for Evidence.
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