Translating Birth Certificates: What to Know

Birth certificates are the entry point to almost every other consular process. Here are the key things to know before requesting a translation.

Long form vs. short form

Many countries issue both a short-form (extract) and long-form (full) birth certificate. For most consular purposes — citizenship applications, marriage abroad, school enrolment — the long form is required. Always confirm with the receiving authority before requesting a translation of the wrong version.

Apostille first, translation second

If your destination is a Hague Convention country, the original certificate needs an apostille from the issuing country before the translation is performed. The translation should include the apostille text — many translators forget this.

Translation of seals, stamps, and handwritten content

A translation that omits the registry seal text, the issuing officer's name, or any handwritten annotations on the original is incomplete and likely to be rejected. We translate everything that appears on the document, including blank fields where relevant.

Format considerations

Some destinations require the translation to be presented in a specific format — for example, alongside the original on a single page, or with a particular wording in the certifying statement. We adapt format to destination automatically when the destination is provided.