# How to translate a document from Greek to English

To translate a document from Greek to English, upload the PDF or a photo to LoreAI, choose English and download an editable Word file. LoreAI reads the Greek alphabet, romanizes personal names and keeps registration numbers and dates as written. For USCIS, a translator then certifies the full English text[1].

## The Greek certificate most families need

For immigration, citizenship or an inheritance, the document that comes up most is the πιστοποιητικό οικογενειακής κατάστασης, the family status certificate. It is issued from the δημοτολόγιο, the municipal register where the family's record is kept[2].

- **Where to get it**: From the municipality, a KEP citizen service center, or online through gov.gr with TAXISnet credentials[2]
- **Cost**: Free of charge[2]
- **Validity**: 6 months[2]
- **Use abroad**: On request it is issued for the private sector, for court use or for use abroad, and you state the use[2]
- **Digital version**: Carries an electronic seal, a timestamp, a code number and a QR code[2]

Order it for use abroad, then translate the digital PDF. Its seal and QR code go into the translation as bracketed descriptions.

## How to translate a Greek PDF to English with LoreAI

1. **Download the PDF or scan the paper.** The gov.gr PDF works as it is. A straight phone photo of an older paper record works too.
2. **Type your email at the top of this page.** The 6-digit code we send opens LoreAI. Your first document is free, up to 3 pages and 3 MB.
3. **Choose English.** LoreAI detects Greek on its own.
4. **Download the Word file.** The family members listed on the certificate come back as a Word table, one row per person.

## Greek names in Latin letters

LoreAI romanizes Greek names, so Γεώργιος Παπαδόπουλος comes back as Georgios Papadopoulos. If the passport already spells the name, use that spelling everywhere in the translation, even when it differs from the standard form, so that every document in the file matches. Father's and mother's names on Greek records follow the same rule.

Greek surnames change form by gender. Papadopoulos for a man is Papadopoulou for a woman, and both may appear on one certificate. Keep each as written.

## Greek terms and how they read in English

- **Δήμος**: Municipality
- **Δημοτολόγιο**: Municipal register
- **Ληξιαρχείο**: Registry office for births, marriages and deaths
- **Αριθμός οικογενειακής μερίδας**: Family record number, kept as written
- **Πατρώνυμο, μητρώνυμο**: Father's name, mother's name
- **ΑΦΜ, ΑΜΚΑ**: Tax number and social security number, kept digit for digit
- **Πτυχίο, απολυτήριο**: University degree, school-leaving certificate

## Greek documents for USCIS

USCIS asks for a full English translation of any foreign language document, with the translator's certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from Greek into English[1]. Greece has been a party to the Apostille Convention since May 18, 1985[3], which matters when a US office asks for the Greek certificate to be apostilled.

LoreAI is not a certified translation service. A person fluent in Greek and English reviews the Word file and signs. See the [birth certificate translation guide](https://www.loreai.org/birth-certificate-translation) for the certification and the parts of a civil record to include.

## Questions people ask

### Can I translate a Greek PDF to English for free?

Yes. LoreAI translates your first document free, up to 3 pages, scans included.

### How long is a Greek family status certificate valid?

The national procedures register lists 6 months[2].

### Does LoreAI romanize Greek names?

Yes. Names come back in Latin letters. Match them to the passport spelling where one exists.

### Is LoreAI's translation certified?

No. LoreAI gives you the English Word file. A bilingual person signs the certification.

## Sources

1. [8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), Translations, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-103/subpart-A/section-103.2), accessed November 6, 2026
2. [MITOS, National Register of Administrative Procedures: Πιστοποιητικό οικογενειακής κατάστασης (Greek)](https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%A0%CE%B9%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C_%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%AE%CF%82_%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AC%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82), accessed November 6, 2026
3. [HCCH: Status table, Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents](https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41), accessed November 6, 2026

By Matt Mountain · Updated November 6, 2026