What translation does USCIS accept

What USCIS requires

The requirement is in the federal rule 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab): every document in a foreign language filed with USCIS comes with a full English translation and the translator’s certification. In the certification, the translator confirms that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from that language into English. The USCIS Policy Manual (opens in a new tab) says the same.

The rule doesn’t ask the translator for a license, accreditation or membership in an association. It doesn’t mention a notary either.

What the translation must include

• A full English translation. A summary of the document doesn’t count: the USCIS Policy Manual (opens in a new tab) calls it unacceptable.
• The translator’s certification: the translation is complete and accurate, and the translator is competent to translate from that language into English (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)).
• The translator’s signature, printed name, date of signature and contact information. The form instructions ask for these, for example for Form I-130 (opens in a new tab) and Form I-485 (opens in a new tab).
• A copy of the foreign-language document. The translation is filed together with it, and the copy must be legible (USCIS filing tips (opens in a new tab)).

Which documents people usually translate

For USCIS, people most often translate birth, marriage and divorce certificates, passports, military records, police certificates, court decisions and diplomas. The documents each form needs are listed in its instructions at uscis.gov/forms (opens in a new tab). What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.

Why translations get sent back

If a translation doesn’t meet the rule, USCIS may send a Request for Evidence (RFE) or deny the request without one (Policy Manual (opens in a new tab)). On the translation side, this happens when one of the rules above is broken:

• there is no translator’s certification, or one of its two statements is missing;
• the translation is a summary or an excerpt, not the full document;
• the certification has no signature, printed name, date or contact information;
• the copy of the document is hard to read or isn’t attached to the translation.