In short
- The Πιστοποιητικό Οικογενειακής Κατάστασης (family status certificate) lists the family members registered together in a Greek municipality.
- UK and US offices may ask for it, or accept it, as evidence of marriage, children or parentage.
- In the translation, women's surnames in the genitive form (such as Papadopoulou) must not be changed, and father's and mother's names must stay as separate fields.
- Certificates from gov.gr carry a verification code, which should be translated too.
The Πιστοποιητικό Οικογενειακής Κατάστασης (family status certificate) is one of the most useful Greek civil documents. If you are applying for a family visa, settlement, citizenship or a marriage abroad, you may be asked for it, or it may be the clearest way to show your family relationships.
What the certificate shows
The family status certificate is issued from the municipal register (δημοτολόγιο) of the municipality where your family is registered. It lists the members of the family registered together, typically:
- the head of the family and their spouse
- children, with dates and places of birth
- each person's father's and mother's names
- the municipality and registration number (αριθμός δημοτολογίου)
In many cases you can request it online through gov.gr, and documents issued this way carry a verification code or QR code.
Why UK and US offices ask for it
Offices may ask for it, or accept it, to show:
- that you are married to, or the parent of, the person you are applying with
- your marital status
- your parents' names, which some applications require
Whether it is required, and whether a birth or marriage certificate is needed as well, depends on the application. Check the guidance for your case.
What to check in the English translation
Names follow the passport
Greek uses different grammatical forms of names. The most common issue is the genitive surname used by many women:
| Greek | Correct (as in passport) | Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Μαρία Παπαδοπούλου | Maria Papadopoulou | Maria Papadopoulos |
| Ελένη Γεωργίου | Eleni Georgiou | Helen Georgiou |
The translation should use exactly the spelling in each person's passport. Where someone has no passport, the translator should use the official ELOT 743 transliteration standard and say so.
Father's and mother's names
Greek records show the father's name (πατρώνυμο) and mother's name (μητρώνυμο) for each person. These should be translated as separate labelled fields, not merged into a middle name.
Dates
Dates should be written with the month in words, such as 4 March 1990, so they can't be misread in the UK or US.
Stamps, signatures and verification codes
The translation should include:
- the issuing municipality and department
- any stamps or seals, described in brackets, for example [Stamp: Municipality of Zakynthos]
- the digital signature or verification text on certificates issued through gov.gr
Keep it current
Some offices expect civil documents to be recent. If your certificate is several years old, consider requesting a new one before you have it translated, so you don't pay to translate an outdated version.
Get it translated
We translate Greek family status certificates, birth and marriage records and other civil documents from Greece and Cyprus into English, formatted to Home Office and USCIS guidance. Price your document online.
Frequently asked questions
Is the family status certificate the same as a birth certificate?
No. A birth certificate (ληξιαρχική πράξη γέννησης) records one birth. The family status certificate shows the members of a family registered together.
Can I get the certificate online?
In many cases, yes, through gov.gr. Certificates issued this way carry a verification code.
Do you translate certificates from Cyprus?
Yes. We translate Greek-language documents from Greece and Cyprus.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Romanization of Greek (ELOT 743 and Greek passports)
- Related guide: How Greek, Albanian and French names are written in English
This article is general information based on published guidance as of 29 October 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice, and requirements can change. Always check the current requirements with the office handling your case. Lexiveris Translations provides translation services only and is not affiliated with any government agency.