What USCIS Requires From a Certified Translation

Every year, applications are delayed because a translation was incomplete or wasn't properly certified. The good news is that USCIS's rule is short and clear. This guide explains what it says, what it doesn't say, and how to check a translation before you file.

The rule

The requirement comes from the Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3):

"Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English."

That sentence contains three requirements.

1. A full English translation

"Full" means the whole document, not just the parts that seem important. A complete translation includes:

• All printed text, headings and form labels
• Handwritten entries and notes
• Stamps, seals and their wording (described in brackets when there's no text, for example "[seal]")
• Signatures (noted as "[signature]")
• Marginal notes and annotations
• Anything on the back of the page

A summary or a translation of selected fields doesn't meet this standard. Machine translations that haven't been reviewed and certified by a competent translator don't either.

2. A certification that the translation is complete and accurate

The translator signs a statement saying the translation is complete and accurate. A typical certification also identifies the document that was translated, and includes the translator's name, signature, date and contact information, so the translation can be matched to its original.

Each document should have its own certification. One general statement covering a stack of unrelated documents makes it harder to tell which translation it applies to.

3. A statement of the translator's competence

The translator also certifies that they are competent to translate from the source language into English. The regulation doesn't require a particular license, membership or government credential. It requires competence, and a signed statement of it.

What the rule does not require

• Notarization. USCIS doesn't require the translation or certification to be notarized.
• A specific credential. The regulation doesn't require ATA certification or a state license.
• A particular format. There's no official USCIS translation form. Clarity matters more than layout: the translation should be easy to compare with the original.

Other offices, such as the National Visa Center, immigration courts, foreign consulates and credential evaluators, set their own rules, and some are stricter. Always read the instructions for the office receiving your documents.

A checklist before you file

• Every page and every side with content has been translated.
• Stamps, seals, signatures and handwritten notes are accounted for.
• Names, dates and numbers match the original exactly.
• Names are spelled consistently with your other documents, or you've noted the difference.
• Each translated document has a signed certification that names the document.
• A copy of the original document is included with its translation, as your form's instructions require.

How SurePage prepares USCIS translations

When you choose "U.S. immigration (USCIS)" in your quote, your translation is prepared to the standard described above. A qualified human translator translates the full document and signs a certification for each document. You review your pages and see your exact total before you pay, and corrections are free for 30 days after delivery.

We can't guarantee that any office will accept a document; that's always the receiving office's decision. See also Certified Translation for USCIS.