Why USCIS does not allow self-translation
USCIS has clear rules about who can translate official documents, and self-translation is not permitted for several important reasons:
Conflict of interest: As an applicant, you cannot certify your own translation as fair or unbiased.
Risk of unintentional errors: Legal terminology, formatting requirements, and names must be translated precisely, and mistakes can delay your application.
Fraud prevention: Having a neutral third party helps ensure the translation is honest, accurate, and free from intentional changes.
Document integrity: USCIS wants consistent, verifiable translations performed by someone who can formally certify accuracy.
According to official USCIS policy, “Any foreign-language document must be accompanied by a full, accurate, and complete translation, along with a certification from a qualified translator.” This requirement ensures that the provided document is accurate and matches the original.
What the USCIS certification statement must include
USCIS requires every translated document to be accompanied by a certification statement. This certification confirms that the translation is accurate and that the translator is qualified to complete it. To meet USCIS standards, the certification must include:
The translator’s full name
A statement confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation
A statement confirming the translator is competent in both languages
The translator’s signature
The date of certification
Contact information for the translator or translation provider
These elements help USCIS verify that the document was translated by a qualified, impartial third party.
Can a friend or family member translate my birth certificate?
Technically, yes. This is because USCIS does not explicitly ban a friend or family member from translating your birth certificate.
However, it’s not always the best option. Translations from relatives or friends often lead to issues because of:
Potential bias, which can raise questions about credibility
Lack of formal translation training, especially with legal terminology
Incorrect formatting, which may not match USCIS expectations
Missing seals, dates, or required statements, making the certification incomplete
A higher chance of a Request for Evidence (RFE) due to small but important errors
While a friend or family member can translate your birth certificate, doing so may increase the risk of delays or rejection. Many applicants prefer a professional translator to avoid complications and ensure their documents comply with USCIS standards.
Who can translate a birth certificate for USCIS?
USCIS allows translations from any qualified third party who is fluent in both English and the original language. The key requirement is competence, not a specific licence or government-issued credential.
Eligible options include:
Although a formal licence isn’t required, USCIS expects the translator to be fully capable of producing an accurate, complete translation and a certification statement. This is why many applicants choose a professional service, not only for compliance, but also to reduce the likelihood of delays or Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
Why you should not translate your own document (Examples + common mistakes)
Even if you speak both languages fluently, self-translating official documents can lead to avoidable errors that USCIS may flag. These mistakes can seem minor until your application is rejected or worse, denied.
Common errors that may occur when you self-translate your documents include;
Incorrect date formats, such as using day–month–year instead of month-day-year, the required format for U.S. government documents.
Missing government seals or certification lines, which may be overlooked or assumed to be “not important” when they must appear in the final translation.
Illegible fields are not marked as such, which can create confusion if parts of the original document are faded or unclear.
Name inconsistencies or spelling differences between the original document and the translation.
Incorrect transliteration, especially for names written in non-Latin alphabets, which must match passports and other immigration documents.
These mistakes are common when individuals translate their own documents because personal familiarity with the information can lead to assumptions or oversights. Using a qualified translator prevents all these issues and saves you a lot of time.
Do translated birth certificates need to be notarised?
No, USCIS does not require notarisation of documents. A properly completed certification statement from a qualified translator is enough to meet USCIS standards.
Notarisation is only necessary if another organisation, such as a university, employer, or foreign government, specifically requests it. In those cases, the notarisation applies to the translator’s certification, not the original document itself.
If you’re unsure whether you need notarisation, you can read more in our guide on notarised translation.
Why Translayte is the best choice for USCIS birth certificate translation
If you want a translation that meets USCIS standards without delays or uncertainty, Translayte is a trusted option. We translate immigration documents every day, and birth certificates are among the most common requests we handle, so we know exactly what USCIS expects.
Our service offers:
Expertise you can trust: Our translators work with immigration documents daily and are fluent in both the original language and English, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Fast turnaround when timing matters: Most certified translations are ready within 12–48 hours, without sacrificing quality.
Affordable, upfront pricing: Translations start from just $24.99 per page, making professional compliance accessible.
100% USCIS-compliant certified translations: Every translation includes the required certification statement and is formatted correctly to be accepted by USCIS for your applications.
Secure online upload and delivery: You can upload your document in seconds through our encrypted platform. We protect your data from start to finish, so you can rest assured.
Global experience across 150+ birth certificate formats: Whether your document is from Mexico, India, Brazil, Nigeria, Poland, or anywhere else, we’ve translated it for more than 100,000 of our clients and are familiar with the official requirements.
Choosing a professional service means you avoid errors, RFEs, and the stress of resubmitting documents. With Translayte, you receive a translation that’s accurate, properly formatted, and ready to use in your application.
If you’re looking for a detailed, step-by-step guide, you can read our full article here: How to Translate a Birth Certificate for USCIS. This directs you to the right resource if you need instructions on the process itself.
Conclusion
You cannot translate your own birth certificate for USCIS. Even if you are bilingual, self-translation doesn’t meet USCIS requirements,
Using a professional translator ensures the document is complete, accurate, properly certified, and compliant with USCIS rules. It also gives you peace of mind knowing your application won’t be held up by avoidable errors.
