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How to Get a Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate Translated in Sri Lanka

Verified · 2 Nov 2026In person only

The Registrar General's Department translates birth, marriage and death certificates at its branch offices where translators work. Apply on a weekday between 9.00 am and 2.30 pm with the application form and the original certificate or a certified copy from a Divisional Secretariat. It costs Rs. 600 per translated copy and takes 3 working days. One Day Service is not available.

At a glance

Fee
Rs. 600
Time
3 working days (One Day Service not available)
Where
Branch offices of the Registrar General's Department where translators work
Online?
In person only
Form
Application for translation of a birth, marriage or death certificate

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • You need a birth, marriage or death certificate in English, for example for a visa, embassy, university or employer abroad.
  • You need an English certificate translated into Sinhala or Tamil.
  • Translations available: Sinhala to English, English to Sinhala, Tamil to English and English to Tamil.

Who can apply

  • The certificate must be a Sri Lankan birth, marriage or death certificate.
  • You can bring the original certificate or a certified copy obtained from a Divisional Secretariat.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 4 ready

  • Get it at an RGD office where translators work, or download it from the Registrar General's Department website.

  • If you only have an old or damaged copy, get a fresh certified copy first - see the birth certificate copy guide, marriage certificate copy guide or death certificate copy guide.

Only if…

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Find an office with translators

    Translations are done at branch offices of the Registrar General's Department where translators work. Check the list of offices with translators (opens in a new tab) on the RGD website, or call the RGD hotline 1930.

  2. Step 2
    Fill in the application form

    Get the form at the office or download it from the RGD website. Say which certificate it is, the language you need, and how many translated copies you want - you can get any number of copies.

  3. Step 3
    Hand in the application

    Go on a weekday between 9.00 am and 2.30 pm. Offices do not accept applications on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

  4. Step 4
    Collect or receive the translation

    The translation takes 3 working days. One Day Service is not available for translations. If you gave a stamped, self-addressed envelope, it is posted to you.

  5. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Find an office with translators

    Translations are done at branch offices of the Registrar General's Department where translators work. Check the list of offices with translators (opens in a new tab) on the RGD website, or call the RGD hotline 1930.

  2. Step 02

    Fill in the application form

    Get the form at the office or download it from the RGD website. Say which certificate it is, the language you need, and how many translated copies you want - you can get any number of copies.

  3. Step 03

    Hand in the application

    Go on a weekday between 9.00 am and 2.30 pm. Offices do not accept applications on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays. Hand in the following documents.

    • The completed application form
    • The original certificate, or a certified copy obtained from a Divisional Secretariat
    • A stamped, self-addressed envelope, if you want the translation posted to you

  4. Step 04

    Collect or receive the translation

    The translation takes 3 working days. One Day Service is not available for translations. If you gave a stamped, self-addressed envelope, it is posted to you.

Fees

Fees

Translated copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate
Rs. 600

Per translated copy; any number of copies.

Where to go

Forms

More detail

Contact the Registrar General's Department

  • Hotline: 1930
  • General lines: +94 11 2889488 / +94 11 2889489 / +94 11 2072017 / +94 11 2072018
  • Address: Registrar General's Department, Suhurupaya, Battaramulla

Common problems

The certificate has a mistake in it.
The translation follows the certificate, so correct the certificate first. See the guide on correcting birth certificate details, or the guides on correcting death and marriage certificates.
I need the translation the same day.
One Day Service is not available for translations; plan for 3 working days.
The foreign authority wants the translation authenticated.
Ask the authority what it needs. For Sri Lankan documents used abroad, see the guide on authenticating documents.
I need a translation between Sinhala and Tamil.
RGD's certificate translation service lists Sinhala to English, English to Sinhala, Tamil to English and English to Tamil only. Ask the office if you need another pair.

FAQ

How much does it cost to translate a birth certificate in Sri Lanka?
Rs. 600 per translated copy at the Registrar General's Department. The same fee applies to marriage and death certificates.
How long does a certificate translation take?
3 working days. One Day Service is not available for translations.
Can I get my certificate translated by post?
You can get it posted to you by handing in a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your application.
Do I need the original certificate?
No. A certified copy obtained from a Divisional Secretariat is also accepted.
What languages can certificates be translated into?
Sinhala to English, English to Sinhala, Tamil to English and English to Tamil.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages2 Nov 2026

Independent, not official

HowToSriLanka.lk is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Sri Lanka.

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