Which Documents Require Certified Translation for USCIS?

If you're preparing an immigration application for USCIS — whether it's a green card (I-485), petition for alien relative (I-130), naturalization (N-400), or employment-based petition (I-140) — there's a good chance you'll need to submit foreign-language documents. And when you do, USCIS requires that those documents be accompanied by a certified translation.

This guide covers exactly which documents require certified translation, what "certified" actually means in USCIS's eyes, and what happens if you get it wrong.

What USCIS Requires: The Rule

USCIS's requirement for certified translation is found in 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), which states:

"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."

This is a blanket rule: every foreign-language document submitted to USCIS must have a certified English translation. There are no exceptions for "simple" documents or documents from certain countries.

Common Documents That Require Certified Translation

Personal Records

• Birth certificates — Required for virtually every immigration filing to prove identity, age, and parentage.
• Marriage certificates — Required for spousal petitions (I-130), adjustment of status, and any filing where marriage is relevant.
• Divorce decrees — Required if either applicant was previously married.
• Death certificates — Required if a prior spouse is deceased.
• Adoption papers — Required for adoptee immigration petitions and naturalization of adopted children.

Academic Documents

• University diplomas and degrees — Commonly required for employment-based petitions (H-1B, EB-2, EB-3) to establish educational qualifications.
• Academic transcripts — Often required alongside diplomas to document coursework and grades.
• Professional licenses and certifications — Required when a professional credential is the basis for a visa petition.

Legal and Police Records

• Police clearance certificates — Required for adjustment of status (I-485) and other applications that require a background check from your home country.
• Court records and criminal records — If you've ever been arrested or charged anywhere in the world, you'll likely need to submit translated court records.
• Military records — Sometimes required for certain visa categories or naturalization.

Immigration and Identity Documents

• Passport biographical pages — While passports are often in multiple languages including English, the certified translation requirement applies if any relevant information is only in a foreign language.
• National identity cards — Frequently required for identity purposes.
• Previous foreign visa documents — Required when prior immigration history is relevant.

What Makes a Translation "Certified"?

A certified translation is not about the translator having a government-issued license or official accreditation. In the U.S. (unlike some countries), there is no government licensing system for translators. USCIS's requirement is simpler:

1. The translation must be complete and accurate — every element of the original document must be translated, including headers, stamps, seals, and marginalia.
2. The translator must provide a signed Certificate of Accuracy — a written statement attesting that (a) the translation is complete and accurate, and (b) the translator is competent to translate from the source language into English.

Notably, the translator can be the applicant themselves — USCIS does not prohibit self-translation. However, as a practical matter, USCIS adjudicators may be skeptical of self-translations, and using a professional translation service reduces the risk of a Request for Evidence (RFE).

What Happens If You Submit an Uncertified Translation?

If USCIS cannot verify the accuracy and completeness of a foreign-language document, you are likely to receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking you to resubmit with a properly certified translation. This delays your case — sometimes by months — and can complicate your timeline significantly if you have upcoming deadlines (such as a filing deadline tied to a priority date).

In the worst case, USCIS could deny your petition outright if they determine the uncertified translation was submitted in bad faith or constitutes an attempt to mislead. This is rare but possible.

The bottom line: the cost of getting a certified translation is trivial compared to the cost of an RFE, a denial, or a missed priority date. Don't cut corners here.

How ImmigrantBridge Can Help

ImmigrantBridge provides USCIS-compliant certified translations for common immigration documents in Portuguese and Spanish. Every translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy formatted to meet USCIS requirements under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), with professional quality review on every order.

Disclaimer: ImmigrantBridge is not a law firm. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your immigration case, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Related immigration translation pages

Ready to get your documents translated?

ImmigrantBridge provides USCIS-compliant certified translations starting at $24.99/page with turnaround estimated before checkout.