Certified birth certificate translation, accepted by USCIS and U.S. courts.
A certified birth certificate translation from AMS includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy from the translator, formatted to USCIS requirements, and delivered in 2 to 4 business days for standard turnaround. We translate from and into Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Armenian, Farsi, Russian, Arabic, and all other commonly-requested languages. Rush and same-day turnaround available.
When you need this translation
USCIS immigration filings
Adjustment of status (Form I-485), naturalization (Form N-400), green card applications, and family-based petitions all require certified translation of any foreign-language birth certificate.
University admissions
U.S. universities admitting international students typically require a certified English translation of the applicant's birth certificate alongside transcripts.
State driver licensing and ID
Several states require certified translation of foreign-language birth certificates for REAL ID compliance.
Social Security applications
SSA accepts certified translations of foreign birth certificates for new SSN applications and for proof-of-age cases.
Court filings (family law, name change)
Family law matters that involve foreign-born clients (custody, adoption, name change, marriage license) frequently require a certified translation of the underlying birth certificate.
Passport renewals and consular filings
Some U.S. embassies abroad and several foreign consulates in the U.S. require certified translation of birth certificates for passport, visa, and consular filings.
How it works
- 01
Upload or email the document
A clear scan or photo of the original birth certificate. We accept PDF, JPG, PNG, HEIC, and most other common formats.
- 02
Quote within hours
Most birth certificates are quoted at a flat fee. We confirm price and turnaround in writing, usually within 2 business hours of receipt.
- 03
Translation and delivery
Translation by a qualified human translator in the language pair. Delivered as a PDF with the signed Certificate of Accuracy, ready for filing.
Why AMS for birth certificate translation
USCIS-acceptable format
Every translation includes the certified translator statement that USCIS requires. We have produced thousands of birth certificate translations accepted by USCIS without issue.
Flat fee pricing
No per-word surprises for standard-format birth certificates. You see the total in the quote.
Rush available
Standard turnaround is 2 to 4 business days. Same-day and next-day rush available with a transparent rush fee.
Birth certificate translation questions, answered
Does USCIS require my birth certificate to be notarized?
No. USCIS requires a certified translation, not a notarized one. A certified translation includes the translator's signed Certificate of Accuracy. Notarization is not required by USCIS. Some agencies advertise "USCIS-certified" or push notarization as an upsell; both are unnecessary for USCIS.
How long does a birth certificate translation take?
Standard turnaround at AMS is 2 to 4 business days. Same-day and next-day rush turnaround is available for an additional fee. For multi-document immigration packets (birth certificate + marriage certificate + diplomas), we coordinate the timeline so all translations arrive together.
How much does a certified birth certificate translation cost?
Standard birth certificates are quoted as a flat fee, typically $40 to $90 per page. The exact price depends on language, page count, and turnaround. Spanish to English is generally the most economical; rare languages are higher. For a written quote, upload the document via our Quote form or call (800) 919-2029.
What languages does AMS handle for birth certificate translation?
AMS routinely translates birth certificates in Spanish (all national varieties), Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Armenian, Farsi (Persian), Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, Portuguese, French, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Thai, Japanese, Polish, German, Italian, and dozens of other languages. Rare and indigenous languages are available with advance notice.
Can AMS translate a Mexican birth certificate (acta de nacimiento)?
Yes. Mexican actas de nacimiento are routinely translated for USCIS filings, university admissions, and California court matters. The translation captures the bilingual format (sometimes Spanish plus a regional indigenous language) and renders all official seals, stamps, and annotations.
Will the translation be accepted by my university or by Social Security?
Yes for both. AMS-certified translations include the translator statement that USCIS, SSA, REAL ID issuing authorities, U.S. universities, and U.S. courts accept. If the receiving institution has any unusual requirement (specific certification language, embedded original, apostille), tell us at quote time and we will accommodate.
Do I need the original birth certificate, or is a copy fine?
A clear scan or photo of the original is sufficient. AMS does not need the physical document. We translate from the image provided and certify the translation matches what is shown. The original stays with you.
Further reading
Certified vs. notarized translation: what each one actually means
The four most common translation document statuses, explained for non-specialists.
Read the articleSworn, certified, notarized, apostilled: which authentication do you need?
A clear walkthrough of every authentication layer that can apply to a translation.
Read the articleThe Hague Apostille for translated documents
When the apostille applies, how to obtain it, and how it interacts with translation.
Read the articleSpanish dialects in U.S. legal and medical interpreting
How regional variation affects U.S. translation work, including birth-certificate variants from different countries.
Read the articleIndigenous Mesoamerican languages in U.S. courts
When a birth certificate or related document is in an indigenous language, the path differs.
Read the articleSchedule with AMS
Request a quote or reach our scheduling team. AMS will assign the right linguist for your matter.