Which documents need to be translated for Form N-400?
The N-400 translation requirement is simple: every document with information in a foreign language comes with a full English translation and the translator’s signed certification. For naturalization, the foreign documents are usually proof of a name change, marriage and divorce records, and court or police records from abroad. We translate Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Romanian and Bulgarian documents: $25 for the first page and $20 for each additional one. For 1–4 documents, the translation is ready within 24 hours after payment.
What the N-400 instructions say about translations
The Form N-400 instructions (opens in a new tab) (edition 01/20/25, p. 5) ask for a full English translation of any document with information in a foreign language. The translator certifies that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from that language into English, then adds a signature, printed name, the date and contact information. The general rule is 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab).
USCIS may also accept evidence you bring to the interview (p. 4 (opens in a new tab)).
If your name changed
Your legal name is the one on your birth certificate unless a marriage, divorce or court order changed it. If it changed, the instructions ask for the document that did it: a marriage certificate, a divorce decree or a court order (p. 6 (opens in a new tab)). One issued abroad in another language needs a translation.
Naturalization through marriage
If you apply as the spouse of a US citizen, the instructions list (p. 12 (opens in a new tab)):
- your current marriage certificate;
- a divorce decree, an annulment decree or a death certificate for every earlier marriage of either spouse;
- evidence of three years of married life: joint bank statements, leases or mortgages, insurance policies, tax transcripts and birth certificates of children born or adopted during the marriage.
Any of these issued abroad in another language, such as a divorce decision or a child’s birth certificate, needs a translation.
Court and police records from abroad
The instructions ask about arrests and detentions anywhere in the world. Depending on what happened, they list the arrest report, an official statement that no charges were filed, the charging documents, the court disposition and the sentencing record. If a record can’t be obtained, they ask for a certified confirmation from the police or court that it isn’t available. You may file photocopies, but bring originals or court-certified copies to the interview (pp. 20–21 (opens in a new tab)). How we translate them: police certificate.
Support orders and long trips
- Support orders. If a court ordered you to support a spouse, a former spouse or children, the instructions ask for that order and proof that you paid (p. 15 (opens in a new tab)).
- Trips of 6 to 12 months. To show you kept your US residence, one example the instructions give is your passport with entry and exit stamps (p. 17 (opens in a new tab)). We translate the stamps on the pages you send.
What we translate
We translate each document in full, with seals, stamps and handwritten notes, and attach the signed certification. Russian documents are translated and certified by our Russian translator. Ukrainian, Spanish, Romanian and Bulgarian documents are translated and certified by a native speaker of that language, under their own name. More on the rule: What USCIS accepts.
What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.
Sample translations
8 samplesEach sample has the original, the translation and the signed certificate. Personal details are blurred.
Russian marriage certificateOpen, 3 pages
Russian divorce certificate (duplicate)Open, 3 pages
Russian police clearance certificateOpen, 3 pages
Ukrainian divorce certificateOpen, 3 pages
Ukrainian passport: surname change pageOpen, 2 pages
Mexican marriage record (1943, handwritten)Open, 4 pages
Ukrainian police clearance certificateOpen, 3 pages
Guatemalan prosecutor’s record search (no complaints, 2020)Open, 2 pages
Questions
Do I need to translate my foreign birth certificate for N-400?
The N-400 instructions don’t ask for your own birth certificate as evidence. If you file a foreign one anyway, it needs a full English translation.
My divorce was decided by a court abroad. Do I translate the whole decision?
Yes. USCIS asks for a full translation, not a summary, so we translate the decision in full, with seals, stamps and the court’s notes.
How much does it cost?
$25 for the first page and $20 for each additional page in the same order. A divorce decree, a marriage certificate and a court certificate, one page each, are $65.
Do I need a notary or an apostille?
The N-400 instructions don’t ask for either: they ask for the translator’s signed certification, and it’s included. If your document already has an apostille, we translate it too.
How long does it take?
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
How we do it
- Full translation
every stamp, signature and handwritten line
- Signed certificate
with the translator’s name, address and phone
- A PDF, ready to file
original, translation and certificate, translation pages numbered
- Price
$25 for the first page up to 250 words, $20 for each additional page, in the same document or another one.
- Turnaround
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
This is a summary of what the agency publishes, not legal advice.