Inklingo

How to Say "certificate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

certificado

ser-tee-fee-KAH-dohseɾ.ti.fiˈka.ðo

nounA1official
Use this for any official document that officially proves a fact, status, or achievement, such as a birth certificate or a diploma.
A simple, high-quality storybook illustration of a rolled-up parchment certificate tied neatly with a bright red ribbon.

Examples

Necesito el certificado de nacimiento para mi pasaporte.

I need the birth certificate for my passport.

Recibimos un certificado de regalo por cien euros.

We received a gift certificate for one hundred euros.

El curso incluye un certificado de finalización.

The course includes a certificate of completion.

Gender Agreement

Since 'certificado' is a masculine noun, use masculine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'un certificado nuevo').

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hacer un certificado (To make a certificate)”

Correction: Obtener/Recibir un certificado (To get/receive a certificate) or Emitir un certificado (To issue a certificate).

acta

AK-tahˈakta

nounA2official
This term specifically refers to official records of life events like births, marriages, or deaths.
A formal document with a gold wax seal and a blue ribbon.

Examples

Necesito una copia de mi acta de nacimiento para el pasaporte.

I need a copy of my birth certificate for the passport.

El acta de matrimonio está guardada en la caja fuerte.

The marriage certificate is kept in the safe.

El juez firmó el acta de defunción.

The judge signed the death certificate.

Use with 'De'

To specify what kind of certificate it is, we always use the word 'de' followed by the event. It's like saying 'Record of Birth' instead of just 'Birth Record.'

Plural Articles

Mistake: “Los actas de nacimiento.”

Correction: Las actas de nacimiento. The 'el' rule only applies to the singular version. When it's plural, you use 'las' like any other feminine word.

diploma

dee-PLOH-mahdiˈploma

nounA1official
Use this word exclusively for the official document awarded upon completion of a course of study or training.
A rolled-up parchment scroll tied with a red silk ribbon.

Examples

Recibí mi diploma de la escuela hoy.

I received my school diploma today.

El diploma está colgado en la pared de su oficina.

The diploma is hanging on his office wall.

Para solicitar el empleo, debes presentar una copia de tu diploma universitario.

To apply for the job, you must present a copy of your university diploma.

The 'El' Trap

Even though this word ends in '-a', it is actually a 'boy word' (masculine). You must say 'el diploma', not 'la diploma'.

Plural Form

To make it plural, just add an 's' to the end: 'los diplomas'.

Wrong Gender

Mistake: “Me dieron la diploma.”

Correction: Me dieron el diploma. (Spanish words of Greek origin ending in -ma are almost always masculine.)

constancia

kons-TAHN-syahkonsˈtanθja

nounB2formal
This is used for a document that formally verifies a person's current status, like enrollment in a school or employment.
A formal document with a gold wax seal and a blue ribbon.

Examples

Quiero dejar constancia de mi desacuerdo en el acta.

I want to put my disagreement on the record in the minutes.

No hay constancia de que él estuviera allí.

There is no record that he was there.

Pide una constancia de estudios en la oficina.

Ask for a certificate of enrollment at the office.

Record of what?

When you want to say 'record of' something, use the word 'de'. For example: 'constancia de pago' (proof of payment).

Constancia vs. Record

Mistake: “Mira mi record de notas.”

Correction: Mira mi constancia de notas. While 'récord' is used for sports achievements, 'constancia' is used for official school or work documents.

Certificado vs. Acta for Birth Records

Learners often confuse 'certificado' and 'acta' when referring to birth records. While 'certificado' is a general term for an official document, 'acta' is specifically used for vital records like birth, marriage, or death certificates.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.