Does the birth certificate translation have to be done by a professional translation company?

Not necessarily. USCIS does not require the translator to hold specific qualifications or certifications. Anyone fluent in both the source language and English may perform the translation, as long as they are not the applicant. The translator must provide a certification statement attesting to the completeness and accuracy of the translation and their competence to translate. However, using a professional translation company can reduce the risk of errors, especially for documents containing specialized terminology.

How do I obtain a birth certificate from China?

Chinese applicants typically obtain a notarized birth certificate (出生公证书) from the notary office (公证处) in their household registration area. Required materials generally include: national ID card, household registration booklet (户口本), parents' ID cards, and parents' marriage certificate. Some notary offices can issue bilingual Chinese-English versions directly. If abroad, you may authorize a relative in China to apply on your behalf, or contact the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for assistance. If original birth records are lost, the notary office may require hospital birth records or other supporting evidence.

What should the certification statement say?

The certification statement should read: "I, [translator's full name], certify that I am competent to translate from [language] into English and that the attached translation of [document name] is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and ability." It must be signed by the translator with their printed name, address, and date. USCIS does not require notarization of the certification statement — the translator's signature is sufficient.

Does the birth certificate translation need to be notarized?

No. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), USCIS requires only the translator's written certification statement — notarization is not required. However, some applicants choose to have the certification notarized for additional credibility. If the translation is intended for use outside the United States (e.g., as required by a foreign government), notarization or even an apostille may be necessary.

What if the name on the birth certificate does not match my passport?

If the name on the birth certificate differs from your passport or other immigration documents (e.g., different Pinyin romanizations, legal name changes), you should submit supporting documentation such as a court-ordered name change decree or marriage certificate, along with an explanation letter describing the reason for the discrepancy. The translation should accurately reflect the name as it appears on the original document — do not alter it.

How much does a birth certificate translation typically cost?

Professional translation companies typically charge $25–$80 for a birth certificate translation, depending on the language, complexity, and the company's pricing. Rush services may incur additional fees. If a bilingual friend or family member performs the translation, there is no cost — they simply need to sign the certification statement. An immigration attorney can also help review the translation quality and certification statement format.

The Peng Law

出生证明翻译与认证

Birth Certificate Translation & Certification

出生证明是几乎所有美国移民申请中必不可少的基础文件，用于证明申请人的身份、出生日期、出生地点和亲属关系。

5–15 business days中国出生公证书办理

1–3 business days翻译完成

1 business day认证声明准备

Overview

概述

出生证明是几乎所有美国移民申请中必不可少的基础文件，用于证明申请人的身份、出生日期、出生地点和亲属关系。如果出生证明不是英文的，必须附上符合USCIS要求的认证英文翻译件。根据8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)的规定，任何提交给USCIS的外语文件都必须附有完整的英文翻译，翻译人员需出具书面声明，确认翻译的完整性和准确性，并声明其具备从该外语翻译为英语的能力。USCIS不要求翻译人员具有特定资质或认证，但翻译必须由申请人以外的第三方完成。对于中国申请人，需要从户籍所在地派出所或公证处获取出生公证书，然后进行英文翻译和认证。

Eligibility

什么时候需要出生证明翻译

申请绿卡（I-485身份调整或领事处理）时需提交出生证明及翻译

提交亲属移民申请（I-130）以证明家庭关系

申请入籍（N-400）时需要出生证明

申请K-1未婚夫/妻签证时需要双方出生证明

作为I-864经济担保的附属文件证明家庭成员关系

申请儿童公民身份证明（N-600）或旅行证件时

任何需要证明出生日期、出生地或亲属关系的移民申请

Application Process

申请流程

获取原件

从出生国获取官方出生证明原件或公证件。中国申请人需到户籍所在地公证处办理出生公证书（含中英文对照版本更佳）。印度申请人需从出生登记处或市政机构获取出生证明。

选择翻译人员

选择具备外语和英语双语能力的翻译人员（不能是申请人本人）。可以是专业翻译公司、有资质的个人翻译师，或精通双语的朋友/家人。USCIS不要求翻译人员持有特定认证。

完成翻译

翻译人员将出生证明的全部内容翻译为英文，包括所有文字、印章、签名和官方标记的描述。翻译必须完整、准确地反映原文件的内容和格式。

出具认证声明

翻译人员出具书面认证声明（Certification Statement），包含：翻译人员的姓名、签名、地址、签署日期，以及"本翻译完整准确，本人具备从[语言]翻译为英语的能力"的声明。

整理提交材料

将原件（或经认证的副本）、英文翻译件和认证声明一起提交。建议将三份文件装订在一起，翻译件紧跟原件之后。

Timeline Reference

时间线参考

阶段	预计时间
获取原件	1-4周（因国家而异）
中国出生公证书办理	5-15个工作日
翻译完成	1-3个工作日
认证声明准备	1个工作日
总计	2-6周（含获取原件时间）