USCIS Certified Translation Requirements
USCIS requires that any document submitted in a foreign language include a full English translation, along with a certification statement confirming the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages. USCIS doesn't require the translator to hold a specific license, but the certification statement itself is mandatory.
What Exactly Does USCIS Require in a Certified Translation?
USCIS requires a complete English translation of the entire foreign-language document, along with a signed certification statement confirming the translation is accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages. Partial translations of a longer document are not accepted.
What Must the Certification Statement Say?
The certification statement must include a declaration that the translation is complete and accurate, the translator's name and signature, the date of certification, and a statement of the translator's competency in both languages involved.
Does USCIS Require a Licensed or Government-Approved Translator?
No. USCIS doesn't require a specific license or government credential for the translator. What matters is that the certification statement is present and that the translator can attest, in good faith, to being competent in both languages.
Does USCIS Require Notarization?
No. Notarization is not a USCIS requirement. Certification alone, the signed statement of accuracy, satisfies USCIS's standard. Notarization only becomes relevant if a different agency or court involved in the same case separately requires it.
What Are the Most Common Mistakes That Cause USCIS Delays?
The most common issues are submitting a partial translation of a longer document, omitting the certification statement entirely, and having a translation certified by the applicant or a close family member instead of an independent translator.
Can a Family Member Translate and Certify the Document?
Technically USCIS doesn't explicitly prohibit it, but officers are generally skeptical of a certification signed by someone with a personal connection to the case, which increases the risk of a Request for Evidence or rejection. An independent, professional certified translation avoids this problem.
What Happens if USCIS Rejects the Translation?
USCIS will typically issue a Request for Evidence or reject the filing outright, citing the specific defect, missing certification, incomplete translation, or an unqualified translator. A corrected certified translation, often available on a rush basis, usually resolves the issue.
