Can you translate an old or damaged death certificate?
Yes. Old, handwritten or damaged certificates can be translated. Parts that cannot be read on the original are marked as illegible instead of guessed.
How we handle old or damaged death certificates
Yes. Old, handwritten, faded or torn death certificates can be translated. Handwritten documents are no problem for our translators.
If part of the original cannot be read, the translation marks it as [illegible]. This keeps the translation accurate, which is exactly what the certification confirms. Stamps and seals are translated or described, for example [Seal: …].
How to send a faded or damaged document
- Photograph the document in good daylight; avoid flash, which can hide faded ink.
- Take a close-up of any part that is hard to read, in addition to the full page.
- Upload all images in one order and mention known names or dates in a note.
Good to know about old and damaged documents
- The price is the same: $20 per page.
- A clearer copy from the issuing office can help if large parts are unreadable.
- Every translation is checked by a second linguist.
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Last updated: November 14, 2026