Any document in a foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a complete English translation certified by the translator as accurate and complete. The translator does not need professional credentials, but must provide a signed statement confirming their competence and the translation's accuracy. Preparing foreign-language documents correctly the first time prevents requests for corrections that can delay your case. The requirements are straightforward and do not demand expensive professional services, but they do require attention to specific rules USCIS enforces.
Table of Contents
- What Counts as a Complete Translation
- Who Can Translate and What They Must State
- What Is Not Required (and Why)
- Submitting Your Translated Documents
- What Not to Do
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Counts as a Complete Translation
The entire document must be translated into English—not key sections, not a summary. This includes all text, stamps, seals, notations, handwritten notes, and any other visible marks on the page. USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 6—Evidence explicitly rejects summaries, abstracts, and partial translations. If your document has twenty pages, all twenty must be translated. If there are official stamps or letterhead markings, those descriptions belong in the translation too.
Who Can Translate and What They Must State
Any person fluent in both languages may translate your documents, including family members or friends. 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) does not require a professional credential, ATA certification, or membership in a translator association. However, uscis may question the objectivity of translations by people with a direct stake in your case outcome.
To avoid delays, consider an independent translator when the document is critical to your decision. The translator must provide a signed, dated certification with their printed name, contact information (address or email), and a statement that the translation is complete, accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the source language into English. USCIS publishes no official form, but the certification must be in writing and accompany the translated document.
What Is Not Required (and Why)
Notarization is not required—only the translator's written certification is mandated. A notarized translation is not stronger or more acceptable than a certified translation and costs extra for no benefit. Machine translation tools like Google Translate cannot meet USCIS standards because they cannot include the translator's required certification, and their reliability is insufficient for official documents. If you use an automated tool as a draft, a person must revise, complete, and certify it.
Submitting Your Translated Documents
Submit both the original foreign-language document and the certified English translation together in your filing. USCIS needs both documents to verify accuracy and authenticity. Do not send the translation alone—a translation without the original cannot be checked. Label each document clearly as original or translation, and include the translator's certification with the translation.
What Not to Do
You cannot translate or certify your own documents, even if you are fluent in both languages. The regulation requires an independent translator's certification. Do not rely on informal translations from family members unless you are willing to risk USCIS requesting a retranslation by a third party. Do not assume that a professional interpreter (someone who works in spoken language) is qualified to translate written documents; the skills are different, and a certified translator is a better choice for official paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family member translate and certify the document if they are fluent in both languages?
Yes. The regulation allows it, but USCIS may question the translator's impartiality because of their relationship to you. An independent translator is safer for important documents.
Is a notarized translation better than a certified translation?
No. USCIS does not require notarization and does not recognize it as adding value. Only the translator's written certification of accuracy and competence is needed.
What if the document is only five pages? Do I have to translate all of it?
Yes. USCIS requires complete translations of the entire document. A partial translation will be rejected and returned for resubmission.
Can I use Google Translate if I sign a statement that it is accurate?
No. Your signature cannot replace the translator's certification of competence. The person who created the translation must be the one to certify it.