How do you translate a Russian police clearance certificate for a US immigrant visa?

What the translation includes

We translate the certificate in full, as USCIS requires (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)). A summary doesn’t count (USCIS Policy Manual (opens in a new tab)). The translation has:

• the letterhead: the name of the agency in full and abbreviated (such as MVD of Russia), its address and phone numbers, the date and number of the certificate;
• the heading of the certificate and every field with the explanation in brackets, so it’s clear what the form asks;
• the answers in the fields, such as no records of a conviction, and any additional information;
• the title and signature of the official who issued it, and the seal with its text;
• the apostille, if there is one.

The translation follows the original, and the translator’s certificate is a separate last page with the date and the translator’s signature, name, address and phone.

What the consulate and USCIS ask for

For an immigrant visa, the consulate asks for police certificates if they can be obtained (22 CFR 42.65(b) (opens in a new tab)). A police certificate is a document from the police or another authority reporting what their records hold about you. From your country of nationality and your country of residence, you need one if you have lived there for at least six months; from other countries, if you have lived there for at least a year. The consulate may ask for one even after a shorter stay if there is reason to believe a police record exists (22 CFR 42.65(c)(1) (opens in a new tab)).

In the Form I-⁠485 instructions for a green card, USCIS asks for certified police and court records of any criminal charges, arrests or convictions you may have, including outside the United States (Form I-⁠485 instructions (opens in a new tab)).

Other documents usually translated for these programs are covered in our guides to the green card, the K-⁠1 fiancé(e) visa and the DV lottery.

Names

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 a word in the certificate can’t be read, the translation marks it [illegible] instead of guessing.

Where the translation goes

• NVC and US consulates: police certificates are among the documents for an immigrant visa. What NVC accepts
• USCIS: a full translation and the translator’s signed certificate. What USCIS accepts
• Immigration court: a typed certificate with the translator’s address and phone. What the court accepts

What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.