Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| certificado de nacimiento | /θeɾtifikado de naθimjento/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /seɾtifikado de nasimjento/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| partida de nacimiento | /paɾtida de naθimjento/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /paɾtida de nasimjento/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| acta de nacimiento | /aɡta de naθimjento/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aɡta de nasimjento/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The terms used for 'birth certificate' refer to the official document certifying the details of a person's birth.
Which one should you use?
certificado de nacimiento is a widely understood and used term, though it may sound slightly more descriptive than the strictly legal acta de nacimiento. acta de nacimiento is the most common term used in official, legal and administrative contexts to refer to the formal record of birth.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico, you might use the expression partida de nacimiento. This term is also a common way to refer to a birth certificate in several Latin American countries, such as Argentina or Uruguay.
How does it change in a sentence?
Although acta de nacimiento is a feminine noun, it uses the masculine article el in the singular to avoid a phonetic clash with the stressed 'a'. When pluralizing acta de nacimiento, the article reverts to the feminine form las because the phonetic clash no longer exists.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeɾtifikado de naθimjento/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a partida de nacimiento refers specifically to an extract or certified copy of the original registry, whereas an acta de nacimiento is the original entry in the civil register book.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the acta de nacimiento is not just a document but is treated as a lifelong legal identity record that is updated with marriage or death annotations.
- The English word 'certain' and the Spanish certificado are linguistic cousins, both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to distinguish' or 'to separate'.
Examples in context
- Necesitarás un documento que pruebe tu identidad, como un carnet de identidad, pasaporte, carnet de conducir o certificado de nacimiento.You will need a document that proves your identity, such as an identity card, passport, driving licence or birth certificate.This sentence is useful for listing examples of documents that prove identity, including the form certificado de nacimiento.Tatoeba #10696337 by Shishir, translation #10696060 by tokzyk
- He visto el acta de nacimiento de Tom.I've seen Tom's birth certificate.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the form acta de nacimiento in a sentence.Tatoeba #10352288 by DJ_Saidez, translation #6976217 by CK
- Antes de comenzar el proceso migratorio, necesitará presentar su certificado de nacimiento.Before starting the immigration process, you will need to submit your birth certificate.
- Por favor, adjunte una copia certificada de su certificado de nacimiento.Please attach a certified copy of your birth certificate.
- Creo que perdí mi acta de nacimiento, necesito solicitar una copia.I think I lost my birth certificate, I need to request a copy.
- Mi mamá encontró su antigua acta de nacimiento en el desván.My mom found her old birth certificate in the attic.
- Necesito obtener una copia de mi partida de nacimiento para inscribirme en la escuela.I need to obtain a copy of my birth certificate to enroll in school.
- El certificado de nacimiento está en el cajón.The birth certificate is in the drawer.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofia are looking for paperwork in their office.
- Sofía¿Tienes el certificado de nacimiento de la bebé?Do you have the baby's birth certificate?
- MateoNo lo encuentro por ninguna parte, Sofía.I can't find it anywhere, Sofia.
- SofíaRevisa la carpeta azul sobre la mesa.Check the blue folder on the table.
- Mateo¡Ah, sí! Aquí está el documento.Ah, yes! Here is the document.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “birth certificate” translations and entries certificado de nacimiento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acta, certificado, de, nacimiento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
