Citizenship by descent: common translation mistakes that delay processes

You have gathered all the documents necessary, organized your family tree, and are ready to apply for your citizenship by descent. But wait a minute, are your documents translated correctly?

In January 2026, with the high demand for European citizenship, a technical detail remains the villain (or hero) of countless processes: the translation of the documents. And we are not talking about a simple “translate from one language to another”. We are talking about legal accuracy, terminological standardization, and consular compliance.

Many processes are returned, suspended, or dismissed not because of a lack of citizenship rights, but because of translation mistakes that could have been avoided. In this article, we will show what these mistakes are and, more importantly, how you can prevent them.

Why translation can make or break your process

Think that way: consulates and foreign agencies don’t know the context of your documents. They analyze everything based on strict formal and legal criteria. Each certificate, civil registry or historical document need to be understood exactly as it was issued in the country of origin.

What happens when translation fails?

• Divergence of information among the documents

• Questions about authenticity

• Require of retranslation (and, sometimes, a new apostille)

• Delay of months or even years in the process

  
  

Therefore, translation is not a bureaucratic formality. It is a strategic step that deserves your attention from the beginning.

Mistake No. 1: Names that “disappear” or “change” along the line of descent

Imagine that your great-grandfather was named Giovanni Rossi in Italy, but he was registered as João Rossi in Brazil. Now imagine that the translation does not connect these two names in a technical and standardized way. What does the consulate see? Two different people.

Other common cases:

• Surnames included or excluded after marriage;

• Differences between old and new registries;

• Variations of spelling over decades.

  
  

How to prevent: The translation must maintain terminological consistency and, when necessary, indicate historical variations in a technical way, with explanatory notes, if required by the consulate.

Mistake No. 2: "Certidão" is not always "certificate"

It may seem simple, by terms like registro (registry), certidão (certificate), inteiro teor (full content), averbação (registration), estado civil (marital status), and filiação (affiliation) do not have direct equivalents in many languages. Translating literally or generically can compromise the entire validity of the document.

How to prevent: Use legal terminology compatible with the legal system of the country of destination. This requires technical knowledge and experience in migration processes, not only being fluent in the language.

Mistake No. 3: Reuse old translations or “adapt” documents from another country

Each consulate has their own rules. What works for the Italian consulate may not work for the Portuguese consulate. What about that translation you did in 2023? It may be out of date.

Consulates may require:

• Specific translation format;

• Type of document accepted (simple or full content);

• Validity of the translation;

• Physical or digital signature of the translator.

  
  

How to prevent:Make the translation exclusively considering the consulate and the current purpose of the process. There are no safe shortcuts here.

Mistake No. 4: Automatic translation or “that friend that speaks Italian”

In 2026, despite all the technology evolution, we still find processes getting dismissed because of translations done using automatic tools or by people without official qualifications.

Why doesn't this work?

• They do not guarantee legal accuracy

• They do not follow formal standards required

• They do not have legal validity at consulates

  
  

How to prevent:Citizenship processes require professional translation and, in most cases, sworn or officially recognized translation. Without exception.

Mistake No. 5: Each document with a different “style”

You made the birth certificate of your grandfather with one translator, his marriage certificate with another, and his death certificate with a third translator. The result? Inconsistencies that raise red flags at the consulate.

What can happen:

• Variation of technical terms;

• Differences in the translation of names;

• Inconsistencies of dates, job positions, and information.

  
  

How to prevent:The entire set of documents must follow a single translation standard, ensuring consistency from start to finish. Which is only possible when the entire work is done by one integrated team.

Mistake No. 6: Forget about “supplementary” documents

In addition to the main certificates, many processes require supplementary documents that often go unnoticed:

• Negative certificates

• Correction documents

• Specific historical records

• Additional registrations

  
  

The absence or incomplete translation of these documents may suspend the entire application process, even if the rest is perfect.

How to prevent:Analyze the process as a whole, not isolated documents. Good document planning makes all the difference.

Checklist: how to avoid delays in your process in 2026

To reduce risks and rework, follow these guidelines:

✅ Plan the translation of documents before filing the request;

✅ Understand the specific requirements of your consulate;

✅ Ensure terminological standardization across documents;

✅ Count on translator specialized in migration processes.

In citizenship by descent, prevention is a synonym of agility.

Conclusion: translation is not a detail, it is a strategic decision

Translation is one of the most delicate stages of the citizenship by descent process. Small mistakes can generate huge delays and, many times, unnecessary frustration.

In January 2026, with stricter rules and increasingly technical processes, investing in specialized professional translation is no longer just “recommended” but has become essential. It's the difference between filing safely and risking having your dream delayed for months.

At GOAL TRANSLATIONS, we operate with a focus on accuracy, standardization, and document responsibility. We support citizenship processes with technical knowledge and attention to detail that really make a difference, so you can reach your goal without any detours along the way.