Who this service is for
Kiwih works with English-speaking clients who need to present documents in Mexico:
- Expats and retirees applying for temporary or permanent residency.
- Families marrying in Mexico, registering a birth, or enrolling children in school.
- Professionals revalidating a degree, applying for a professional license, or transferring within a company.
- Foreign companies registering a subsidiary, signing contracts, or responding to a Mexican authority.
- Immigration attorneys and relocation firms that need a reliable Spanish translation partner.
You do not need to be in Mexico to work with us. Send a clear scan, receive a fixed quote, and get a print-ready PDF.
What “certified translation” means in Mexico
In Mexico, a certified translation is prepared by a perito traductor authorized by a state Superior Court (TSJ) or by the Federal Judiciary (PJF). The perito translates, signs and seals the document; the certification states that the Spanish version corresponds to the original.
It is not the same as:
| Term | What it actually means |
|---|---|
| Certified translation | A translation signed and sealed by an authorized perito traductor |
| Certified copy | A copy authenticated as matching the original—not a translation |
| Apostille | A Hague Convention certificate authenticating the signature/seal on a public document |
| Notarized translation | A notary witnesses a signature; the notary does not certify translation accuracy |
| “Certified translator” in the U.S. | A translator’s signed statement; not a Mexican perito certification |
For a Mexican authority, the key is the perito traductor’s signature and seal, not a notary stamp.
Documents we translate for life in Mexico
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Civil status | Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, custody order |
| Identity | Passport, driver’s license, national ID, voter registration |
| Background checks | FBI record, state police certificate, police clearance |
| Education | Diploma, transcript, report cards, school certificates, IEP or psychoeducational evaluation |
| Employment and income | Employment letter, pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, pension letter |
| Corporate | Contracts, bylaws, articles of incorporation, powers of attorney, board minutes |
| Medical | Medical letters, vaccination records, insurance documents |
If your document is not listed, send a legible copy. We will confirm whether it can be translated and what certification the recipient expects.
Apostille and translation: the correct order
Most documents issued in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom need an apostille before they can be used in Mexico. The practical sequence is:
- Obtain the final document — a certified copy or the official version required by the recipient.
- Apostille the original with the competent authority in the issuing country.
- Translate the apostilled document into Spanish.
- Include the apostille in the translation — number, seal, signature and text.
- Submit the original and the certified translation to the Mexican authority.
In the United States, state-issued documents are generally apostilled by the state Secretary of State; federal documents go through the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications. In Mexico, Mexican documents are apostilled by the competent authority (SEGOB for federal documents; civil registries or state authorities for civil records).
Common mistake: translating before the apostille. If the document changes afterward, the translation no longer matches and must be redone.
English → Spanish and Spanish → English
These are two different jobs:
- English → Spanish: for using U.S., Canadian, UK or other English-language documents in Mexico. This is the most common direction for residency, school, marriage and corporate matters.
- Spanish → English: for using Mexican documents abroad. The required certification depends on the destination: a Mexican perito translation, a sworn translation, an assermentée translation, or a translator’s certification under the destination country’s rules.
If your document is destined for USCIS, read our separate guide to certified translation for USCIS. If the document will be used in Mexico, this page is the right starting point.
How our process works
1. Send the document
Send a clear scan or photo of every page, including the back, seals, handwritten notes and apostille. You can keep the original; we work from a legible copy.
2. Tell us the purpose
Tell us which authority will receive the document—INM, Registro Civil, a university, a notary, a bank or a company—and what the procedure is. That determines the certification format.
3. Receive a fixed quote
We quote per document, not per page, so you know the total before you pay. The price depends on the document type, length, language pair and turnaround.
4. Human translation and review
A specialized translator prepares the Spanish version. A second reviewer checks names, dates, numbers, seals and completeness. We do not deliver raw machine translation.
5. Certification and delivery
A perito traductor signs and seals the translation. We deliver a print-ready PDF; if the authority requires a wet signature and physical seal, we can arrange shipping.
Turnaround and pricing
- Standard: typically 24–48 hours for a straightforward single document, confirmed after we review the file.
- Urgent: available for many documents, subject to capacity and an urgent fee quoted in advance.
- Large packets: we set a schedule and deliver in batches so you can assemble the filing without waiting for the entire packet.
We do not publish one-size-fits-all prices because a one-page birth certificate and a 40-page corporate record are not the same job. Send the document and you will receive a fixed quote before you commit.
Common mistakes that delay a Mexican procedure
- Translating an incomplete copy or a version that later changes.
- Leaving out seals, back pages, handwritten notes or the apostille.
- “Fixing” names to match the passport instead of explaining the difference.
- Using a simple translation when the authority requires a perito.
- Submitting the translation without the apostilled original.
- Waiting until the last week: apostille and translation run on different timelines.
Why Kiwih
- Peritos traductores authorized by the TSJ-CDMX and the PJF.
- More than 20 years of experience with immigration, academic, legal and corporate documents.
- 15+ languages and a 40+ language network, with a certified Japanese perito on staff.
- Human translation and second review before certification.
- Urgent service 365 days a year, subject to availability.
- Rated 4.9/5 across 38 Google reviews.
- Mexico City base, digital delivery worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notary for a certified translation in Mexico?
No. The perito traductor certifies the translation with a signature and seal. A notary can authenticate a signature, but does not certify that the translation is accurate. If an authority asks for a notary, confirm whether it refers to the translation or to another document.
Does my document need an apostille before translation?
In most cases, yes, when a foreign public document will be used before a Mexican authority. The apostille is applied to the original, and the translation should include it. Confirm the requirement with the receiving authority.
Can I translate my own document?
For an official procedure, it is not advisable. The authority may question the translator’s competence and impartiality. A certified translation from a qualified third party reduces the risk of rejection.
What is the difference between a certified translation and a simple translation?
A certified translation carries the signature and seal of an authorized perito and can be used in official files. A simple translation is for understanding the content; it does not have legal validity before an authority that requires certification.
Do you translate documents from any U.S. state?
Yes, as long as the document is legible and complete. We review the seal, apostille and format so the translation matches the original.
How long does it take?
Turnaround is confirmed after reviewing the document. A simple document can be delivered in 24–48 hours; larger packets take longer. Urgent service is quoted separately.
Do you provide physical copies?
Yes. We deliver a PDF and, if the procedure requires a wet signature or seal, we can ship a physical copy. Shipping is quoted before payment.
Do you work with law firms and companies?
Yes. We support law firms, immigration attorneys, notaries and companies that need recurring translations, confidentiality and consistent terminology.
Get your certified translation quote
Send your document and tell us which Mexican authority will receive it. We will confirm whether it needs certified translation, apostille or both, and give you a fixed quote before we start.
WhatsApp: +52 55 8083 4834
Phone: +52 55 1204 1135
Email: contacto@kiwih.com.mx
Address: Tuxpan 39-int. 703-B, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, 06760, Mexico City
Related services and guides
- Certified Translation for USCIS
- Traducción certificada inglés-español
- US documents for Mexican residency
- Contracts for foreign companies
Sources
- USCIS / eCFR — 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): translation and translator certification requirements. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-103/subpart-A/section-103.2
- U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications: apostille for federal documents. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/replace-certify-docs/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html
- USA.gov — Authenticate an official document: state and federal apostille guidance. https://www.usa.gov/authenticate-us-document
- SEGOB — Apostilla de documentos: Mexican federal apostille procedure. https://www.gob.mx/public/tramites/detalleTramite.xhtml?homoclave=SGOB-01-007
General information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by authority and document type. Always confirm with the receiving institution.