How Much Does Birth Certificate Translation Cost for USCIS?

When it comes to birth certificate translation for citizenship applications, DACA renewals, passport applications, etc., US Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, requires that it be certified.

Certification means providing a signed letter affirming all information has been accurately translated by a qualified native speaker of the language in which it’s being translated. Failing to do so can not only delay approval and require you to submit further evidence, but it can also result in an immediate rejection of your request. With so much at stake, one of the biggest questions about certified birth certificate translation is regarding the cost of the venture.  

So, how much does birth certificate translation cost?

Most agencies charge anywhere from 20-50+ dollars per page. Birth certificates are typically 50-200 words, and a handful of translation agencies may provide quick translation at minimum cost.  

What Affects the Cost of Birth Certificate Translation?

While most agencies give an upfront cost for birth certificate translation, certain factors can increase that price. It’s important to know what these are because not all companies are as transparent about this. Those factors include the following:  

Certification

While the USCIS requires birth certificate translations to be certified, it can come at an extra cost. For instance, most companies typically charge an extra fee for the certification, but it comes as a hidden expense after the job is completed.  

Language Choice

In most cases, birth certificates are requested to be translated to English, but there are several instances where they need to be translated into other languages. Most agencies base their average pricing on translating a birth certificate to English. Therefore, pricing can reflect the cost of living in the country of the language in which the document is being translated.  

Word Length

Most agencies typically charge a per-page fee. While the initial per page price can seem inexpensive, these agencies can also have a maximum word count for each page. This means if your birth certificate has more words than their company’s maximum, you will be charged additional fees to translate the entire document.  

Translation Timeframe

Agencies can charge additional fees to make your birth certificate a translation priority if it needs to be delivered quicker than their standard timeframe. There can also be additional charges if you need the translated birth certificate sent as priority mail. This situation is the case for many agencies that boast rapid translation, but it isn’t always discussed before agreeing to use their agency for your translation needs.

Notarization

While the USCIS does not require birth certificates to be notarized, some countries can require them. Not only is receiving a signed notary an additional charge, but it may also not be a service some agencies provide. It’s important to know if this is something you need when deciding who you allow to translate your birth certificate.  These are all things that you should discuss with an agency to ensure you have an accurate cost estimate before choosing them to handle your birth certification translation.  

Choose the Bureau Works Localization Platform for all your Linguistic Needs

We know that using a friend or machine translation can be tempting to get the job done, but both options can present unforeseen complications in your application approval process. While birth certificate translation may seem simple, ensuring it is done accurately is not. Machine translation, like Google translate, can easily make mistakes and mistranslate words or translate content that shouldn’t be translated like names, locations, etc. This problem also arises when asking a friend to translate.

Not only can this result in your application rejection, but it also comes with a lack of accountability. You may end up in a situation where you don’t have anyone to help you fix the errors and spend even more money finding an agency to help you restart the process.  

Bureau Works offers a robust localization management platform for translation agencies and linguists to efficiently handle USCIS birth certificate translations. The platform leverages AI and context sensitivity to ensure translations meet USCIS standards with precision. It streamlines the entire process through automated workflows, reducing manual intervention and speeding up delivery. With built-in quality control tools and project management features, users can track progress in real-time.

Bureau Works also supports easy file handling and ensures confidentiality with top-tier security protocols, providing agencies and linguists with a powerful solution for delivering certified translations.

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