Certified Translation for USCIS - Everything You Need to Know

 A certified translation is a sworn statement that affirms the translator's ability and skill to accurately translate a document from its original language into English for your immigration application.

This article contains information you can use to create your USCIS-certified translations. It also includes a link to request a quote from professionals.

Why does USCIS require a certified translation?

The Code of Federal Regulations states that- A complete English translation must accompany all documents containing foreign languages submitted to USCIS that the translator has certified to be accurate and complete. The translator must also confirm that they can translate the foreign language into English.

You must submit certified translations of any foreign documents you include in your USCIS petition or application. Standard documents that need to be translated include birth certificates, death certificates, passports, marriage, divorce, and academic transcripts. All foreign language documents supporting your USCIS form should be translated into English using a certified translation.

If you prove that you are proficient in both languages, you or a relative may translate your documents. This is at the USCIS officer's discretion. Hiring a professional translator familiar with USCIS formatting and expectations is best. You won't have to worry about conflicts of interest if you hire a third party.

What are the USCIS Certified Translation Requirements?

A few questions come to mind, like where to translate documents, who is the best translator, and the translation requirements. You can get all the answers here. 

Another USCIS requirement for documents is that translators sign a Certificate of Translation Accuracy. Many online services offer certified translations delivered digitally by professional translators. Some of these services provide notarization or expedited turnaround times if you have urgent documents to be translated.

Steps to certify a translation

Three main criteria for a certified translation are complete, correct, and proficient.

Complete, the first measure, refers to information not missing from the original document. The certified translation must also be in the same format as the original document.

Correct means that all information has been correctly translated. A professional translator is the best person to verify that the information has been translated correctly.

Proficiency in the last and most important measure. USCIS requires the certification. If it is discovered that the information needs to be more accurate or complete, the translator can be held accountable. USCIS will also contact the translator if they need clarification on the certified translation.

If you fail to provide a translation of any USCIS document, your case will likely be denied.

USCIS Translation Requirements For Birth Certificate

In a USCIS-approved translation of a birth certificate, the applicant must include these details:

• First, middle and last names

• Date of birth

• Place of birth

• Full names of parents

• It is signed by seal to confirm that it's official

The applicant should submit the USCIS document translation for the birth certificate as a photocopy of the original birth certificate. The translation must be visually similar to the original. This includes signatures and stamps. What happens if some text isn't legible? The certified translator will mark the text as "illegible" in these cases.

A certified translator should type your translation. Notarization is optional for many professional translation services.