Spanish speaking countries

After English and Mandarin, Spanish is the most spoken language in the world. Spanish is the official language of most of the countries in Central and South America (Latin America) and Spain. The 20 countries where Spanish is the official language are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. Spanish is also the official language of the US province of Puerto Rico.

As per the United States census, 15.8% (48.5 million) of the total US population of 307,212,123 is classified as Hispanic. US Census Bureau defines Hispanics as persons of Spanish-Latino origins which include persons from Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Cuba, Dominican Republic and other Spanish speaking Latin American countries. It is estimated that by 2050 Hispanics will make up 30% of the US population.

In 2009, immigrants of Mexican origin accounted for 29.8% of all immigrants in the USA. This is by far the highest number of immigrants in the USA from any country in the world. Other Spanish speaking countries that account for significant number of immigrants are El Salvador (3.0% of all immigrants in USA), Cuba (2.6%), Dominican Republic (2.1%), Guatemala, Columbia, Honduras, and Ecuador.

Who issues birth certificates in Mexico?

In Mexico, birth, adoption, marriage and death are registered with the “Oficina del Registro Civil” (Civil Registry). Mexico is a federal republic with 31 states and federal district (“Distrito Federal”) of Mexico City. Each state has counties/districts (“municipios”). Each Mexican state, with the exception of Oaxaca and Guerrero, maintain the civil records at the local “municipio” level. Each state has a main Civil Registry office in the state capital and branch offices in the other towns. Even though each state follows its own registration format, the registration is standardized when copies are sent to the main Civil Registry office in Mexico City.

Prior to the 1960’s “Acta de Nacimiento” (birth certificates) were hand written on green security paper. Typewriter issued birth certificates replaced manual hand written certificates. The present birth certificates are printed on brown security paper. Mexico’s churches have been recording baptisms, marriages, confirmations and deaths for almost 500 years.

In other Spanish speaking countries the birth certificates are also called “Partida de Nacimiento” and “Certificado de Nacimiento”. In El Salvador and Cuba birth certificates are issued by “Oficina de Registro Civil”, in Dominican Republic by the “Oficina de Estado Civil”, in Guatemala by the “Registro Civil”, in Argentina by “Oficina del Registro Civil” and in Columbia by the “Civil Registry”.

Why is Spanish to English certified translation of birth certificate required?

Mexican applicants, who wish to immigrate to the USA, must submit Spanish to English certified translation of their birth certificate to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Not only for the USCIS, but also the certified translation of the birth certificate is required for colleges, schools applications, and other public and private organizations. The US consulate at the Ciudad Juarez [CDJ] international point of entry accepts the Birth Certificate in Spanish, but when the documents are sent to the USCIS for processing, they need to be translated from Spanish to English.

Content of Mexican Birth Certificate

Mexican birth certificates usually contain first, middle and last name of the child, gender of the child, date and place of birth, father’s and mother’s names, address, date of registration, registration number, stamp of issuing authority, name and title of signing authority, signature of the registrar/sub-registrar.

What if an applicant does not have their Spanish Birth Certificate?

If parents had not registered the birth of the child, then the applicant can submit a “no record of birth registration” letter from the relevant municipality or village authorities along with secondary evidence. This is also applicable if the birth records have been destroyed or the relevant government authorities will not issue a new birth certificate. The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland and Naturalization Service allow secondary evidence and affidavits to be submitted. These rules are covered under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(2). The rule also states how to demonstrate a record is not available. Examples of secondary evidence of birth are an adoption decree, a school record, a baptismal certificate, notarized affidavit from a close relative (parent, close relative, friend or neighbor who was present at the time of birth). The person making the affidavit must state how he/she knows the facts of the applicant’s birth and how he/she knows the applicant’s family. The secondary evidence must contain the applicants name, date of birth, place of birth, both parents’ names and seal of the issuing office.

Spanish to English certified translation services.

Our professional Spanish to English language translators team specializes in translating documents that are required by the United States government and other US based public and private organizations. Our experts provide birth certificate translation issued by: Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. Since we have vast experience in translating documents for US organizations like the USCIS, colleges, schools, courts, etc, we create certified translations of birth certificates in the format that is mandated by these organizations.

As per USCIS requirements, our Spanish translators will certify that the Spanish to English translation of the birth certificate is both accurate and complete. Our translators will also certify that they are competent to translate from Spanish to English.

USCIS specified birth certificate format

The US State department’s Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) lays down the format of the birth certificate translation which applicants who want to immigrate to the USA must provide. FAM specifies the documents required and available from each country All the below information must be included in the birth certificate.

- Applicant's full name, including first, middle and last names

- Applicant’s date of birth (Month, Day and Year)

- Place of birth (City, Province/State/District/Region , Country)

- Mother’s full name (first name, middle name, last name). No initials

- Father’s full name (first name, middle name, last name). No initials