How to Get a Certified Translation for USCIS: Requirements, Costs & Process

USCIS requires that every foreign-language document you submit is accompanied by a full English translation and a signed certification from the translator confirming the translation is complete and accurate. That single rule is behind most translation-related delays in immigration cases. This guide explains exactly what USCIS expects, which documents need translation, who is allowed to certify them, what the certification must say, and how to avoid the mistakes that trigger a Request for Evidence (RFE).

What are the USCIS translation requirements?

The rule comes from federal regulations (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), if you want to read it yourself), and it is short:

“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.”

In practice this means three things for every document:

• Full translation. Every word on the document must be translated — including stamps, seals, signatures, footnotes and handwritten notes. Summaries or extracts are not accepted.
• Certification of accuracy. The translator signs a statement confirming the translation is complete and accurate.
• Certification of competence. The same statement confirms the translator is competent in both languages. USCIS does not require the translator to be “sworn”, licensed or government-approved — but the certification must be present.

The translated document and the certification page are submitted together with a copy of the original document.

Which documents does USCIS require translated?

Any document not written entirely in English. The immigration documents we most commonly certify for USCIS applications:

• Birth certificates — required for almost every family-based petition and adjustment of status.
• Marriage certificates — spousal visas (CR-1/IR-1), K-1 follow-up, name-change evidence.
• Divorce decrees and death certificates — to prove earlier marriages ended.
• Adoption papers — adoption decrees, consent forms and court records.
• Academic diplomas and transcripts — employment-based petitions and some student cases.
• Police clearance certificates and court records — required for many green-card and naturalization cases.
• Bank statements and financial records — affidavit-of-support evidence.
• Medical records — waivers and certain humanitarian applications.

Can I translate my own documents for USCIS?

USCIS regulations do not explicitly forbid you — or a family member — from translating your own documents. In practice, we strongly advise against it, and most immigration attorneys do too. Here is why:

• Perceived conflict of interest. An applicant certifying their own supporting evidence invites extra scrutiny. Officers can, and do, question self-translated documents.
• An RFE costs you months. If the officer doubts the translation, the typical outcome is a Request for Evidence. An RFE typically sets a response deadline of up to 87 days, and your case sits on hold until USCIS reviews the response — months of delay in practice — far more than a professional translation costs.
• Errors are on you. A mistranslated date, name spelling, or missing seal annotation is treated as an inconsistency in your evidence, not a typo.

If a friend or relative does translate for you, they must still provide the full certification statement with their name, signature, address and date — and they should not be a party to the application.

Who can certify a translation for USCIS?

Any person who is competent in both English and the source language can certify a translation for USCIS. There is no federal license for translators in the United States. That said, USCIS officers see thousands of translations, and professionally prepared certifications from established providers are rarely questioned.

Does the translator need to be ATA-certified?

No. ATA (American Translators Association) certification is not a USCIS requirement. It is, however, a strong signal of professional competence — Protranslate is an ATA member, and our USCIS translations are prepared by translators who work in your language pair daily.

Does the translation need to be notarized?

No — for USCIS, certification is enough. This is one of the most common points of confusion. Notarization only confirms the identity of the person signing the certification; it says nothing about translation quality, and USCIS does not ask for it for standard applications. You may still need notarized or sworn translations for other authorities — some state courts, universities, or foreign consulates — but not for USCIS itself.

What must the certification statement say?

USCIS does not prescribe exact wording, but the statement must confirm both completeness and competence, and identify the translator. This template satisfies the requirement:

Certification by Translator

I, [full name], certify that I am fluent in the English and [source] languages, and that the above/attached document is a complete and accurate translation of the document attached entitled [document title].

Signature: ____________________
Name: [full name]
Address: [street, city, state, ZIP]
Date: [date]

The certification is attached as a separate page to each translated document. Every certified translation we deliver includes this signed statement on company letterhead with our contact details.

How to get a document translated for USCIS: step by step

Step 1: Gather your originals and check legibility

Collect every foreign-language document your form’s instructions list. Check that scans or photos are complete and readable — cut-off margins and unreadable stamps are the most common reason a translation has to be redone.

Step 2: Choose a certified translation provider

Look for three things: a written certification that follows the format above, experience with USCIS submissions specifically, and a guarantee covering acceptance.

Step 3: Submit clear scans of your documents

A flat, well-lit scan or photo of the full page is enough — USCIS receives a copy of the original alongside the translation, so you do not need to mail physical documents to the translator.

Step 4: Review the translation against the original

Before you file, check name spellings against your passport, verify dates, and confirm every stamp and seal is annotated (e.g. “[round seal of the Civil Registry Office]”). You know your documents best — a two-minute review prevents inconsistencies.

Step 5: Receive the certified translation and file it

You receive the translated document with its signed certification page. Submit translation, certification, and a copy of the original together in your application package. Keep a copy — the same certified translation can be reused in later filings.

How much does a USCIS certified translation cost?

Certified translation for USCIS is typically priced per page. Industry pricing in 2026 generally falls between $20 and $40 per page for common language pairs, with rush delivery costing more. Price is driven by three factors: language pair, page count, and turnaround time. Be wary of prices that look too good — a rejected translation costs far more in lost time than the difference between providers.

How long does USCIS translation take?

Standard documents — birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas — are usually delivered within 24 hours per document for major language pairs. Larger files such as court records or medical histories take longer; you’ll receive a delivery estimate before confirming the order.

What happens if the translation is wrong or missing?

Three escalating outcomes:

• Request for Evidence (RFE). The most common result. USCIS pauses your case and asks for a corrected or complete translation. Expect a multi-month delay even if you respond immediately.
• Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). If the translation problem undermines key evidence — for example, an incomplete marriage certificate translation in a spousal case — USCIS can signal intent to deny and give you one chance to fix it.
• Denial. Rare for translation issues alone, but possible when combined with other evidence problems. Filing fees are not refunded.

All three are avoidable: full translation of every element, correct certification, consistent names and dates.

Featured image: Gulbenk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.