Do You Need a NAATI-Certified Translation of Your Birth Certificate for Australia?
If your birth certificate is in a language other than English, you will need a NAATI-certified translation to submit it to Australian authorities. Birth certificate translations are required for visa applications, citizenship applications, school enrolment, Australian passport applications, and a wide range of legal and administrative processes.
Immi Translating Service provides NAATI-certified birth certificate translations from $64.95, delivered as a PDF, usually within 1 hour. Immi Translating Service uses a platform called AcudocX that automates a lot of the workflow and provides customers with an AI-assisted self-service option. When the standard service is already express, no additional fees are required for ugent services.
When Do You Need a Translated Birth Certificate in Australia?
A certified English translation of your birth certificate is required in the following situations:
- Visa applications — the Department of Home Affairs (DIBP) requires certified translations of all supporting documents, including birth certificates, when submitting a visa application through ImmiAccount
- Australian citizenship applications — a translated birth certificate is required as proof of identity and birthplace when applying for citizenship by conferral or descent
- Australian passport applications — if you were born overseas, your foreign birth certificate must be translated before submitting a passport application to the Australian Passport Office
- School and university enrolment — educational institutions may require a certified translation of your child’s birth certificate for enrolment purposes
- Medicare and Centrelink applications — government service applications may require a translated birth certificate as identity documentation
- Legal proceedings — family law matters, estate administration, and court applications may require a certified translation of birth documents
- Marriage certificates and name changes — Births, Deaths and Marriages registries may require a translated birth certificate to process name changes or verify identity
What Are the Requirements for a NAATI-Certified Birth Certificate Translation?
The Department of Home Affairs and other Australian authorities require that certified translations meet specific standards. A compliant birth certificate translation from Immi Translating Service includes:
- A complete English translation of all text on the birth certificate, including names, dates, places of birth, parental details, and any official stamps or annotations
- The full name and NAATI credential number of the translator who completed the work
- A signed declaration by the translator confirming the translation is accurate and complete
- The date the translation was completed
- A digital NAATI certification stamp
All translations from Immi Translating Service meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Passport Office, and all state and territory government agencies.
How to Get Your Birth Certificate Translated: Step-by-Step
- Scan your birth certificate — take a clear, high-resolution scan or photograph of your birth certificate. Both sides should be captured if text appears on the reverse.
- Upload your document — upload the scan through the Immi Translating Service online plaform. You do not need to post your original document.
- Select your language — confirm the source language of your birth certificate. If you are unsure, our team can assist you in identifying the document.
- Choose your service type — select self-service or standard template (usually 1–2 hours) or full translation if you want everything translated.
- Receive your certified translation — a notification to download your translated birth certificate will be sent to your email. The final copy is a print-ready PDF with the NAATI certification stamp included.
- Submit to the authority — print the translation and attach it to your visa application, citizenship application, or other submission. For online applications through ImmiAccount, you can upload the PDF directly.
What Information Is Translated on a Birth Certificate?
A certified translation of a birth certificate covers all text and official information contained in the original document, including:
- Full name of the person named in the certificate
- Date and place of birth
- Parents’ names, nationalities, and places of birth
- Registration details (certificate number, date of registration, issuing authority)
- Any notes, annotations, or official stamps on the document
- Signatures of officiating registrars or witnesses (noted as “[Signature]” in the translation)
Translators do not omit or summarise any information. Every element of the original document is translated in full to ensure the document meets the requirements of Australian authorities.
How Much Does a Birth Certificate Translation Cost in Australia?
Immi Translating Service charges a flat rate of $64.95 for a standard single-page birth certificate translation. This includes the NAATI stamp, PDF delivery, and an acceptance guarantee. If your birth certificate spans multiple pages or includes attached documents, these are included in the template fee. Otherwise, choose the full-translation option, which will charge you $155 per page.
There are no hidden fees for standard document types.
How Long Does a Birth Certificate Translation Take?
We usually see standard birth certificate translations delivered within 1–2 hours of receiving your document, when submitted as a template. Full translations are typically delivered within 1 business day. Once an order has been made, you can communicate directly with the certified translator handling your translation and let them know when you need it back.
Which Languages Do You Translate Birth Certificates From?
Immi Translating Service translates birth certificates from all major languages, including:
- Asian languages — Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Tagalog, Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, Khmer, Lao, Sinhalese, Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam
- Middle Eastern languages — Arabic, Farsi (Persian), Dari, Pashto, Hebrew, Turkish
- European languages — Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Croatian, Greek, Dutch, Swedish
- African languages — Amharic, Somali, Swahili, Tigrinya
We translate from every language that has certified translators available and can usually assist in recruiting new translators for newly-offered languages.
Is an Online Birth Certificate Translation Accepted by Home Affairs?
Yes. The Department of Home Affairs accepts certified translations submitted online through ImmiAccount, provided the translation meets NAATI standards. Immi Translating Service delivers all translations as PDF files that include the translator’s credentials and NAATI certification stamp. These documents are accepted by Home Affairs for all visa and citizenship applications.
You do not need a physical (printed and posted) translation for most online applications. The PDF can be uploaded directly to ImmiAccount alongside your other supporting documents.
Frequently Asked Questions: Birth Certificate Translation Australia
Do I need a certified translation of my birth certificate for an Australian visa?
Yes. The Department of Home Affairs requires certified translations of all supporting documents submitted with a visa application, including birth certificates. The translation must be completed by a NAATI-credentialled translator. Immi Translating Service provides NAATI-certified birth certificate translations accepted by Home Affairs from $64.95.
How much does it cost to translate a birth certificate in Australia?
A NAATI-certified birth certificate translation costs $64.95 at Immi Translating Service. This covers a standard single-page birth certificate and includes the NAATI stamp, PDF delivery, and acceptance guarantee. Same-day service is available for an additional fee.
Can I translate my own birth certificate for Home Affairs?
No. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept self-translated documents. Translations must be completed by a NAATI-credentialled translator and include the translator’s name, NAATI credential number, and a signed declaration of accuracy. Using a non-certified translation will result in your application being rejected.
However, Immi Translating Service uses the AcudocX platform, which allows you to submit a self-service draft of your translation, which is then verified and certified by a NAATI-certified translator. Read more about the self-service process here: Can I Translate My Own Documents? Yes — With AcudocX Self-Service and NAATI Certification
How do I submit a translated birth certificate to Home Affairs?
For visa applications submitted online through ImmiAccount, you can upload the translated birth certificate PDF directly as a supporting document. For paper applications, print the translation and include it with your application. The translation must be attached to, or submitted with, a copy of the original birth certificate.
What if my birth certificate is damaged or difficult to read?
Our translators are experienced in working with aged, damaged, or partially legible documents. If sections of the document are illegible, the translator will note this in the translation (for example: “[text illegible]”). Contact us before placing your order if you have concerns about document quality — we can assess whether the document is suitable for translation.
Is a birth certificate translation valid indefinitely?
There is no expiry date on a NAATI-certified translation. Once translated and certified, your birth certificate translation remains valid for submission to Australian authorities. However, some organisations may request a recently dated translation for administrative purposes. Contact the relevant authority to confirm their requirements if you are unsure.
NAATI Certified Translation by Language
We provide NAATI certified translations for all major languages spoken in Australia.
NAATI Certified Translation by Document Type
Need a specific document translated? We certify all common immigration and legal documents.
