Which documents need to be translated for a green card (Form I-⁠485)?

What USCIS asks of a translation for Form I-⁠485

The Form I-⁠485 instructions (opens in a new tab) (edition 09/18/26, p. 4) say that a document with information in a foreign language must come with a full English translation. The translator signs a certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification also has the translator’s signature, printed name, the date of signing and contact information. The same rule is in 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab). More on the USCIS rules: What USCIS accepts.

Documents usually translated

The Form I-⁠485 instructions list the evidence that goes with the application. Of that list, these documents are most often in Russian:

• Birth certificate issued by the civil authority of the country of birth. USCIS only accepts a birth certificate that lists at least one parent (p. 8).
• Government-⁠issued photo ID: a passport, even if expired, a driver’s license or a military identification document (p. 8).
• Marriage certificate and proof that any prior marriage ended: typically a divorce decree or certificate, or a death certificate (pp. 9⁠–⁠10).
• Police and court records. If a person was ever charged, arrested, detained or convicted, anywhere in the world including the United States, the instructions list certified police and court records: the arrest report, the charging document and the final disposition (p. 11).

The informational checklist of initial evidence for Form I-⁠485 (opens in a new tab) on the USCIS site names the same documents and the basic translation rule: a full English translation with the translator’s certification. What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.

Guides by program

Besides the general list, the I-⁠485 instructions have additional sections for specific categories: family petitions (p. 17), K-⁠1 (p. 18), asylum (p. 29) and the DV lottery (p. 37). We cover the documents usually translated for each program separately:

• Petition for a relative, Form I-⁠130: documents that show the family relationship or marriage.
• K-⁠1 fiancé(e) visa: documents for the Form I-⁠129F petition and the visa.
• Asylum, Form I-⁠589: documents for an asylum application.
• DV lottery: documents for the interview.

If you apply through a consulate

If you apply for the immigrant visa through a US consulate, your documents usually go through the National Visa Center (NVC); DV lottery cases go through the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) instead. NVC has its own translation rules: What NVC accepts.

How we translate

We translate every document in full, with seals, stamps and handwritten notes. We spell names as they appear in your international passport. Include the spelling in your request, and we’ll use it in every document in your order. If you don’t have an international passport, we agree on the spelling with you before we start. The signed certificate with the translator’s name, address and phone is included in the price. You receive the translation by email.

How we translate each document:

• Birth certificate: every field, the registry office (ZAGS) seal, stamps on the back, handwritten Soviet forms.
• Passport: every page you send, with its entries, seals and stamps.
• Military ID: service records, ranks and the military commissariat’s seals.
• Marriage and divorce certificates: the certificates and the court’s divorce decision, in full, with seals and stamps.
• Police clearance certificate: the MVD letterhead, every field with its answer, the signature, the seal and the apostille, if there is one.

Sample translations of these documents are further down the page.

Price

Certificates are usually one page each. For example, a birth certificate, a marriage certificate and a police clearance certificate in one order are $65: $25 for the first page and $20 for each of the other two.