Spanish civil document atlas
Identify your civil record before translating it.
Birth records from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and El Salvador all document a birth, but their registry fields and identifiers are not interchangeable. Choose the record you have, compare the visible labels, and request a Spanish-to-English quote for the complete document.
Spanish civil document atlas
Which record do you have?
Start with the heading printed on your record. A civil-record copy, a certificate, and an identity card can require different handling even when they come from the same country.
These are original, illustrative field maps without personal data, not copies of government documents or finished certified translations. Formats vary by issuer and date. The supplied record controls the translation.
Mexico
Acta de nacimiento
Mexican birth certificate
The standardized format described by Mexico separates registration data, the registered person, parentage, marginal notes, and verification elements. Older state and local copies can differ. Match the actual record instead of filling a template.
| Printed Spanish label | Illustrative English rendering | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Acta de nacimiento | Birth certificate | Read the complete heading and copy designation. |
| Entidad / Municipio de registro | State / municipality of registration | Keep registration location separate from place of birth. |
| Oficialía / Libro / Número de acta | Registry office / book / record number | Preserve each printed label and number separately. |
| Primer apellido / Segundo apellido | First surname / second surname | Keep the order shown; do not infer a parent from an ordinal label. |
| Fecha de nacimiento / Fecha de registro | Date of birth / date of registration | These are different events and must remain separate. |
| CURP / Número de acta | CURP / record number | Reproduce identifiers exactly; do not swap a personal code with a registry reference. |
Before requesting a quote
- All edges, pages, and content-bearing reverse sides.
- Names, accents, dates, registry references, and CURP if shown.
- Marginal notes, seal text, signatures, and visible QR or verification labels.
Colombia
Registro civil de nacimiento
Colombian birth civil record
Colombia distinguishes civil records of birth, marriage, and death. A birth civil record may show a registry serial, NUIP, office information, names, and notes. A cédula de ciudadanía is a separate identity document; identify each item before requesting a translation.
| Printed Spanish label | Illustrative English rendering | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Registro civil de nacimiento | Birth civil record | Confirm the event in the full heading; not every registro civil records a birth. |
| Indicativo serial | Registry serial number | Keep this registry locator apart from a personal identifier. |
| NUIP | NUIP (personal identification number) | Preserve the printed acronym and number; do not substitute a cédula number. |
| Registraduría / Notaría | Registry office / notary office | Use the actual issuer name and locality printed on the record. |
| Primer apellido / Segundo apellido | First surname / second surname | Keep each surname in its source field and order. |
| Notas / Sellos / Firmas | Notes / seals / signatures | Translate legible text and represent visible non-text marks without claiming authenticity. |
Before requesting a quote
- The full record title and whether you have a copy or certificate.
- Registry serial, NUIP, names, event date, and issuing office if shown.
- Every page and side, including notes, stamps, and certification wording.
Peru
Acta de nacimiento / partida de nacimiento
Peruvian birth record
RENIEC may issue a certified copy of a birth record as a PDF with a validation QR code; some records remain with a municipality or consulate. The record number, CUI and any textual annotations serve different purposes. Translate the version supplied for the filing rather than combining fields from separate copies.
| Printed Spanish label | Illustrative English rendering | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Acta de nacimiento / Partida de nacimiento | Birth record | Follow the title printed on this copy; the two terms can appear in RENIEC guidance. |
| Copia certificada | Certified copy | This describes the issued copy, not the translator’s English certification. |
| Número de acta | Record number | Keep this registry reference separate from the personal CUI. |
| Oficina registral / Municipalidad | Registry office / municipality | Copy the issuer and locality actually shown; not every record is held by RENIEC. |
| CUI, si aparece | CUI (unique identification code), if shown | Preserve the acronym and digits exactly as printed; do not infer them from another document. |
| Anotaciones textuales | Textual annotations | Translate legible amendments and references on the version being submitted. |
| Código QR / Sello de certificación | QR code / certification stamp | Represent visible labels and marks without claiming to verify authenticity. |
Before requesting a quote
- The exact act or certified copy selected for the USCIS packet, including all pages and sides.
- Issuer, record number, dates, names and CUI if printed on this version.
- Legible annotations, certification stamp, QR label and any reverse-side text.
El Salvador
Partida de nacimiento / certificación de partida
Salvadoran birth record or certified copy
The current family-registry law describes the contents of a birth registration, including the NUI, birth details, parent information, and possible marginal annotations. RNPN also issues certifications of records found in its system. Older municipal books and issued copies may differ, so follow the document actually supplied. A registry certification or authenticated registrar signature is separate from the translator’s English certification.
| Printed Spanish label | Illustrative English rendering | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Partida / certificación de partida | Birth record / certified copy of the record | Preserve the exact title on the issued document; certification of the record is not certification of its English translation. |
| Número Único de Identificación (NUI) | Unique Identification Number (NUI) | Keep the printed acronym and number; do not replace NUI with a DUI or another identifier. |
| Nombre propio / sexo del nacido | Given name / sex of the person born | Follow the fields and names on this record without inferring missing details. |
| Lugar, día y hora del nacimiento | Place, date, and time of birth | Keep the birth event separate from the date a copy was issued. |
| Datos de la madre / del padre | Mother’s / father’s details | Preserve each printed name and identifier under the correct person; older copies can differ. |
| Anotaciones marginales | Marginal annotations | Translate legible amendment text on the supplied record, including reverse sides if present. |
| Firma del registrador / código QR, si aparece | Registrar signature / QR code, if shown | Represent visible labels and marks without claiming to authenticate them. A separate signature authentication may accompany a local copy. |
Before requesting a quote
- The exact issued birth record or certification, every page, and any content-bearing reverse side.
- NUI if printed, names, birth place/date/time, parent details, and marginal annotations.
- Any registrar-signature authentication supplied as a separate document; do not confuse it with the translator certificate.
USCIS
Preparing this record for USCIS?
The federal translation rule calls for a full English translation with the translator’s certification of completeness, accuracy, and competence. This atlas helps identify the source fields; it does not decide whether USCIS will accept a particular filing or document copy.
Ready to translate the complete record?
Tell us the issuing country, the heading on the document, the receiving office, and your deadline. Do not include full identity numbers in the first message.
Start a certified translation quote Sources reviewed September 27, 2026