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The K-1 visa allows U.S. citizens to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the United States to marry within 90 days. After marriage, the K-1 holder files Form I-485 to adjust status to lawful permanent resident. Every foreign-language document in the petition and at the consular interview must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Get Your Free Quote →The K-1 process involves two separate filings with two separate sets of document requirements. Both require certified translations of any foreign-language documents under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3).
Petitioner files from the United States
The U.S. citizen petitioner submits the I-129F to USCIS to establish the bona fide relationship and the intent to marry. Supporting documents — including birth certificates, prior divorce decrees, and proof of in-person meeting — must include certified translations if in a foreign language.
Beneficiary appears at the U.S. embassy or consulate
The foreign fiancé(e) attends an in-person interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. The consular officer reviews the beneficiary’s documents firsthand. Complete, professionally translated documents reduce the risk of administrative processing delays or denials.
Any of these documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
If your fiancé(e) has unmarried children under age 21 who will accompany them to the United States as K-2 dependents, each child must have their own supporting documents — including a separately translated birth certificate. The K-2 child’s birth certificate must establish parentage and, if issued in a foreign language, must be certified translated into English. Police clearances for K-2 children over 16 are also required and must be translated if issued in a foreign language.
At the K-1 interview, the consular officer physically examines each document the beneficiary presents. Complete, professional translations — with a proper Certificate of Accuracy — make a better impression and reduce the likelihood of administrative processing delays. Incomplete or poorly formatted translations are among the most common causes of additional processing time after an otherwise successful interview.
Arrive at the interview with certified translations of every foreign-language document in your package — even documents you were not explicitly asked to translate.
Every ImmigrantBridge translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy, meeting the USCIS standard under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) and accepted by U.S. consular posts.
If your interview is approaching, contact us with your interview date before ordering and we will confirm whether rush processing is available.
$45 minimum per document · Volume discounts for full petition packages
Both. USCIS requires certified translations of all foreign-language documents submitted with the I-129F petition (Stage 1). The U.S. embassy or consulate also requires certified translations of documents presented at the K-1 interview (Stage 2). It is best practice to prepare certified translations for both stages at the same time to avoid delays.
No. Under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3), translations must be certified by a competent translator who certifies that they are fluent in both languages and that the translation is accurate and complete. A party with a direct personal interest in the case — including the beneficiary or petitioner — should not certify their own translation. ImmigrantBridge provides properly certified translations that meet this standard.
Some countries issue secondary evidence in place of a birth certificate — such as a baptismal record, hospital record, or sworn affidavit. These secondary documents must also be certified translated if they are in a foreign language. You should also include a certified translation of any official government statement confirming that birth certificates are not available from that country.
We recommend ordering translations as soon as you have your documents in hand. Standard turnaround is 3–5 business days; rush options are available for tight deadlines. Because K-1 petition processing times at USCIS can range from several months to over a year, having certified translations ready when you file avoids any delay at the outset.
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