Do I need to translate cause-of-death information that's sensitive?

Yes — USCIS regulations don't allow redactions on the translation side. The good news is that USCIS officers are bound by privacy rules and routinely handle sensitive medical information.

Certified Translation

Death Certificate Translation for USCIS

Certified translation of foreign death certificates for widow petitions, inheritance, and prior-spouse documentation.

USCIS Accepted

Submit your death certificate for certified translation

Upload, pay, and we begin immediately. USCIS-accepted, next business day.

Get Your Certified Translation

Death certificates show up in immigration filings more often than people expect — to prove a prior marriage ended (widowhood), to support a self-petition under the widow(er) category, to document a parent's death for sibling petitions, and to inherit immigration status in certain humanitarian categories.

We translate foreign death certificates word-for-word, including cause of death, registrar's seal, and any marginal notations, in the format USCIS accepts the first time.

What USCIS uses it for

I-360 widow(er) self-petitions, I-130 (when proving a prior marriage ended by death), N-400 (good moral character documentation), and consular processing where prior marital status must be established.

What we translate

Civil registry death certificates
Hospital or medical death certificates
Death certificates with cause-of-death detail
Burial permits when issued in lieu of formal death certificates

8 CFR §103.2(b)(3)

What USCIS requires for a foreign-language document

Full English translation
Every word, stamp, seal, and marginal note on the foreign document must be rendered into English — not summarized.
Signed Certificate of Accuracy
The translator certifies, in writing, that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the source language to English.
Original visible alongside translation
USCIS expects the certified English translation to be submitted together with a legible copy of the original foreign-language document.
Independent translator
The translator cannot be the applicant or beneficiary. Self-translations are routinely rejected, even when accurate.

Why these translations get rejected

Cause-of-death section omitted

Translators sometimes skip medical detail to 'simplify' — but USCIS expects the complete document. Omitting any section can trigger an RFE (USCIS case pause).

Signature and seal not described

When the original has a stamp or seal that's hard to read, the translation should still note '[illegible round seal]' rather than ignoring it.

Frequently asked questions

Your spouse's death certificate (if foreign), your foreign marriage certificate, your foreign birth certificate, and any prior divorce decrees. We can quote the full set in one upload.

USCIS Accepted