What is a birth certificate translation and why it matters
When a baby is born in El Salvador, they are issued a birth certificate, officially known as La Partida de Nacimiento.
It is issued by the Family Registry (Registro del Estado Familiar) of the city where the birth took place, and is signed by the Chief of the Family State Registry (Jefe del Registro del Estado Familiar) or a delegate. It also carries the round seal of the City Hall and the El Salvador national shield.
Because Spanish is the official language of El Salvador, all documents issued in the country are in Spanish. This means, your birth certificate will not be understood or accepted by government bodies in other countries that do not speak Spanish.
A birth certificate is commonly used for several immigration purposes, which is why authorities around the world require it to be translated into their official language. This is an official standard for authorities and officials globally.
Common situations when you’ll need a certified translation of your Salvadoran birth certificate include:
USCIS (US immigration): Any foreign birth certificate you submit to USCIS must include a certified English translation.
IRCC (Canadian immigration): Your Salvadorian birth certificate must be translated into either English or French.
UK Home Office: The UK Home Office requires a certified translation for all documents not in English or Welsh.
Australian citizenship: If your birth certificate is not in English, you must provide a certified English translation completed by a NAATI-accredited translator.
Education evaluations: If you’re applying to universities or schools in the UK, US, Canada, or Australia, you will need to submit a translated birth certificate.
In general, anytime you need to submit your El Salvadorian birth certificate for use in another non-Spanish-speaking country, you’ll need to get it translated.
When do you need a birth certificate translation in El Salvador?
Immigration applications (USCIS and Canadian PR)
When submitting an immigration application to USCIS or IRCC for Canadian PR, you will need to have your birth certificate translated. Both USCIS and IRCC require a full translation of your document, including stamps, handwritten annotations, seals, and marginal notes. Doing this differently may result in your application being delayed or denied.
Visa and passport renewal processes
You may also need to submit a birth certificate translation when renewing your passport or visa in several countries. If you’re applying for a U.S. passport, you’ll need a hard-copy translation signed by a certified translator.
Dual citizenship and marriage registration abroad
If you’re registering your marriage in another country or claiming citizenship by descent, you’ll typically need a translated and apostilled birth certificate as part of the documentation requirements.
However, there are some nuances with the dual citizenship rules in El Salvador. Article 91 of El Salvador's 1983 Constitution allows multiple nationalities, provided that the other country also permits it.
Additionally, when applying for Salvadoran citizenship, you will need to legalise or get an apostille for all foreign documents and translate them into Spanish. So the translation requirement runs in both directions. You may need a Spanish translation of a foreign document for use in El Salvador, just as you need an English translation of your Salvadoran birth certificate for use in a country like the U.S.
University and professional applications
When applying to universities or licensing boards in other countries for study or evaluation, you may need to submit a translated birth certificate as part of their application requirements. In addition to foreign degree evaluations, credential evaluation bodies require a birth certificate translation as part of the required documents.
How to get an El Salvador birth certificate before translation
To get a translation of your El Salvador birth certificate, you first need the original. Here’s a practical guide on how to obtain one.
Step 1: Identify the correct municipal office
The first step is to contact the Civil Registry (Registro del Estado Familiar) at the Alcaldía (City Hall) of the town where the birth took place. You will need to address your request, either verbally or in writing, to the Jefe del Registro del Estado Familiar (Chief of the Family State Registry) in the relevant city.
Each municipality works differently and El Salvador has no centralised database of civil records. This means there is no single national office you can contact, you must go directly to the municipality that registered the birth.
If you’re not sure which municipality holds your record, ask older family members. It can be difficult to find your record without specific information.
Step 2: Prepare your information
Next, provide your full name, date of birth, and parent’s names to the appropriate Civil Registry, and address your request to the Chief of the Family State Registry (Jefe del Registro del Estado Familiar) in the city.
If you have the libro (book), folio (page), and partida (registration entry) numbers from a previous copy of your certificate, include these, as they can make the search faster.
Step 3: Apply in person or online
If you want to apply in person, visit the Alcaldía of the relevant municipality and make your request verbally or in writing to the Jefe del Registro del Estado Familiar.
If you live abroad, even in the United States, you can get your birth certificate online through market.gob.sv, as the 25 Salvadoran consulates in the United States do not offer in-person processing of birth certificates. The cost is $4.00 for the certificate plus shipping costs. After payments, you should receive your documents in about 10 business days.
Step 4: Pay the fee and collect your certificate
The fees range from $3 to $5, depending on the municipality. Once you make payments, and your identity is verified, the certificate will be issued with the round seal of the relevant City Hall and the shield of El Salvador. Note that City Halls may issue handwritten certificates, which is perfectly valid.
Step 5: Request an apostille (for international use)
If you plan to use your birth certificate in another country, you will need an apostille before translation. This is because El Salvador is a member of the Hague Convention; as such, documents issued in El Salvador are legalised with an apostille for use abroad.
However, if the country where you plan to use your birth certificate is not a member of the Hague Convention, you will need consular legalisation instead. Contact the country’s embassy or consulate in El Salvador for specific requirements.
The apostille process in El Salvador is handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores). But you must get the certificate from the municipal office, then take it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an apostille.
Step 6: Send your apostilled certificate for translation
Once your birth certificate has been apostilled, send it to a professional translator or translation agency, such as Translayte, for a certified translation. The certified translation must meet the requirements of the authority you’re submitting to, whether that’s USCIS, IRCC, or the UK Home Office.
Note: If your birth certificate was cancelled due to a legal name change or parental information change, don’t panic. In El Salvador, if a birth certificate is cancelled for legal reasons, you can still request the original "Year of Birth Certificate" from the Family State Registry and include it in your immigrant application.
How to request duplicates if your certificate is lost or damaged
Luckily, Salvadoran law allows you to obtain copies of your civil registry records, including birth certificates, from the municipal office where you were registered.
If you can’t visit El Salvador in person to request a duplicate, you have two options. First, you can authorise a trusted third party, either a family member or solicitor, to get it for you. But they must have an authorisation letter or a notarised power of attorney.
Secondly, if you reside abroad, you can request your certificate online through El Salvador's official government portal. You’ll receive the authenticated certificate within 3 to 9 business days. This Docuexpress service is available to Salvadorans residing in 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several European and Latin American nations.
Are digital copies (PDF/JPG) accepted for translation?
Yes, digital copies are accepted for translation. But it all depends on the receiving authority's requirements. For USCIS immigration applications, a digitally signed PDF translation is acceptable. However, for passport applications, you may need the physical copy of the translation signed by the certified translator. Always check the requirements of the authority you’re submitting to, to know which one applies to you.
Certified vs notarised translations: what's the difference?
Both certified and notarised translations are used interchangeably when preparing documents for use in another country. But what does it mean, and how do they differ?
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a complete, accurate translation of a document that includes a signed statement of translation accuracy by the translator, confirming that the translation is accurate, true, and complete to the best of their knowledge.
What is a notarised translation?
A notarised translation is one in which a translator signs a certification statement in the presence of a Notary Public as a witness. This means the translator writes the certification statement and signs it, with a notary present.
The notary verifies the translator's identity, not the quality of the translation. In other words, a notary's role is to confirm that the person who signed the translation is who they claim to be. They do not vouch for the accuracy of the translation itself.
The type of translation you need depends on who you’re submitting the documents to. For USCIS, IRCC, the UK Home Office, and more, you only need a certified translation. However, when submitting documents for court filings and legal procedures, you may need a notarised translation. If in doubt, ask the receiving authority before you order a translation.
Step-by-step guide to getting your El Salvador birth certificate translated
Follow these steps to translate your El Savador birth certificate.
Step 1: Get your original certificate or apostilled copy
Make sure you have your original birth certificate before reaching out to a translator or translation agency. If you plan to use your certificate in another country, check that you have gotten an apostille from El Salvador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or consular legalisation.
Step 2: Select a reputable translation service or certified translator
When you do a quick Google search of the best certified translators near me, you’ll see a long list of translation agencies, which can easily get overwhelming. And if you choose to just look for professional translators online, you have no way of knowing who is legit or not.
To make things easier for you, it’s best to work with a professional translation agency that specializes in translating documents for the authority you’re submitting to. For example, if you’re submitting documents to USCIS, ensure the translation agency specializes in certified translations for USCIS.
Don’t use a family member or relative to translate, as USCIS may consider the translation biased and issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) thereby delaying your application.
Step 3: Request a quote and confirm the turnaround time
With Translayte, you can request a free quote with the estimated delivery time without uploading your document. Translayte delivers certified translations within 12-48 hours so you never have to miss deadlines.
Step 4: Upload a legible scanned copy
Upload a clear copy of your birth certificate securely to Translayte. We accept a legible digital copy of your birth certificate in PDF, JPEG, Word, or PNG format. You do not need to post your original document to the translator. But you must ensure that it is legible. This means, every stamp, seal, handwritten note, must be seen, to avoid mistranslation.
Step 5: Receive your certified translation
Upon completion, you’ll receive your certified translation digitally via email. The digital format is acceptable for most applications. But if you need a physical copy, we can deliver it to you upon request.
Typical cost of El Salvador birth certificate translations
The cost of a certified birth certificate translation is between $20 to $70 per page, and $0.06 to $0.08 per word. The prices can also go as low as $18 per page for low-budget services to as high as $100 per page for rush delivery.
At Translayte, the cost of certified translation starts at $24.99 per page. The final price depends on the language pair, document complexity, and turnaround time. Notarised translations are more expensive, as they involve a notary public who has specific fees for notarisations.
Here’s a quick glance at the cost of certified translations;
Service Type | Average Cost (USD) | Turnaround | Notes |
Certified Translation | $25 – $35 per page | 1–2 days | Accepted by USCIS, IRCC, UK Home Office |
Notarised Translation | $35 – $45 per page | 2–3 days | Required for some courts, embassies, and passport applications |
Expedited / Rush Service | Add 50% to the standard rate | Same day or 24 hrs | Available from most providers for urgent deadlines |
Hard Copy (Posted) | $8 – $15 additional | 3–7 days (shipping) | Required for US passport applications and some legal filings |
What should a certified translation include?
Here’s what your certified El Salvadorian birth certificate translation must include to be valid for official use;
Translator's details: This includes the translator's full name, credentials, and contact information, or the agency responsible for the translation.
Certification statement: A declaration that attests to the translator's competence in both the required source and target languages and confirms that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original.
Translation date: The specific date that the translation was completed.
Signature: A manual or electronic signature of the translator or a representative from the translation agency.
Seal or Stamp: If available, the official seal or stamp of the translator or the translation agency.
Document references: Identifying details of the original document, such as title, date, and any relevant reference numbers.
Purpose of translation: While not always mandatory, some certificates might specify the intended use of the translation, be it legal, academic, medical, or otherwise.
Common mistakes to avoid when translating your birth certificate
Using an unqualified translator: Never ask a bilingual friend or family member to translate your birth certificate. USCIS and other immigration authorities require an independent professional translator to certify their own competency. Using a relative or friend undermines the credibility of your translation.
Submitting an incomplete translation: Every element of the original must appear in the translation, including stamps, seals, handwritten notes, and marginal annotations.
Assuming notarisation is always required: Many applicants pay for notarisation when it is not needed. USCIS does not require a certified translation to be notarised; what matters is the translator's signed certification statement, not a notary's seal. Always confirm what the receiving authority actually requires before ordering.
Ignoring name discrepancies between documents: If your name is spelled differently across your birth certificate, passport, and application forms, flag it early. Discrepancies between the original document and the translation are one of the most common triggers for a USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE), which delays your application significantly.
Uploading a poor-quality scan: A blurry or poorly lit image causes delays and risks inaccurate translation. Every stamp, seal, handwritten note, and marginal annotation must be legible in the scan. If it is visible in the original, it must appear in the translation.
Final checklist before you submit your translation
Your original document
You have the correct version of your birth certificate, the long-form civil registry (Partida de Nacimiento), not a short version.
The original is apostilled by El Salvador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the destination country requires it.
You have kept the original safe and are only submitting a clear photocopy alongside the translation.
Your certified translation
The translation mirrors the layout and format of the original document exactly.
All stamps, seals, handwritten notes, and marginal annotations are included and translated.
No sections have been omitted, summarised, or interpreted, the translation is word for word.
Any illegible sections are marked clearly as "[illegible]" rather than left blank or guessed at.
The translator's full name, signature, and contact details are present.
The declaration reads "true and accurate translation of the original" or equivalent wording.
The certification is dated and applies to this specific document, not a blanket certificate covering multiple documents.
Format and submission
You have confirmed whether the receiving authority accepts a PDF or requires a hard copy.
If a hard copy is required, it has been posted well in advance of your deadline.
If notarisation is required, it has been completed, and the notary's seal is present.
Ready to translate your El Salvador birth certificate?
Regardless of the application you’re making or the country you’re submitting to, the process of getting a certified translation follows the same essential steps: having the right document, a qualified translator, and a proper certification statement.
With this, you know what you need; the only thing left to do is to take the next step. Upload your documents to get a free quote and order a certified translation of your El Salvador birth certificate. Every translation is delivered with a signed certification statement accepted by immigration authorities worldwide.
Get started today!
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