What Documents Need Certified Translation for USCIS?

Short answer: Any foreign-language document submitted to USCIS needs a complete English translation plus a signed translator certification. The certification should say the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate.

Primary USCIS source: 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Related official guidance: USCIS Policy Manual.

Documents that commonly need certified translation for USCIS

Form-by-form translation checklist

Filing type	Documents often needing translation	Best landing page
Family petitions: I-130	Birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, custody, name-change, and relationship evidence.	I-130 translation
Adjustment of status: I-485	Birth certificates, marriage/divorce records, police/court records when requested, and supporting identity evidence.	USCIS translation services
Removal of conditions: I-751	Marriage and relationship evidence, civil records, travel or household documents with foreign-language text.	I-751 translation
Naturalization: N-400	Marriage/divorce records, police/court records, name-change records, and foreign-language supporting evidence.	N-400 translation
K-1 fiance visa: I-129F	Birth records, divorce decrees, police/court records, relationship evidence, and civil documents with foreign-language text.	K-1 visa translation

Department of State, NVC, and CEAC rules are related but not identical

Many people search for Department of State translations and land on USCIS pages because the document types overlap. The filing systems are different. USCIS receives domestic immigration filings. The Department of State and National Visa Center handle immigrant visa civil documents and CEAC uploads.

For NVC, State.gov says civil documents not written in English, or not in the official language of the country where the applicant is applying, must be accompanied by certified translations. State.gov’s CEAC guidance also says to include the original/native-language document first, followed by the English translation, in the same file.

What should the certification say?

A proper certification statement should identify the source language and English translation, state that the translation is complete and accurate, and state that the translator is competent to translate. The certificate should include the translator name, signature, and date.

Do USCIS translations need notarization?

For most USCIS filings, the key requirement is certified translation, not automatic notarization. Some attorneys, courts, consulates, schools, or receiving offices may request notarization separately. Corpus offers optional notarization for $25 only when requested.

How much does certified translation cost?

Order certified translation for immigration documents

Upload the full document, including front/back pages and any seals, stamps, handwritten notes, or marginal text. Tell us whether the document is for USCIS, NVC, CEAC, a consulate, school, court, or attorney so we can format the certificate appropriately.

Related resources

• USCIS translation checklist
• Department of State translation requirements
• NVC certified translation requirements
• Birth certificate translation
• Marriage certificate translation
• Police certificate translation
• Certified translation pricing

FAQ

What documents need certified translation for USCIS?

Any foreign-language document submitted to USCIS needs a complete English translation with a signed translator certification. Common examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police records, court records, school records, adoption documents, IDs, passports, and name-change records.

Does every USCIS form require translated documents?

No. Translation is required when the evidence you submit contains foreign-language text. The filing type determines which supporting documents are needed; the language of those documents determines whether translation is needed.

What should the USCIS translation certification include?

The certification should state that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate from the source language into English. It should include the translator name, signature, and date.

Do NVC or Department of State civil documents follow the same checklist?

Not exactly. USCIS and Department of State/NVC processes overlap, but NVC has its own civil-document instructions, including CEAC upload guidance. For NVC, include the source document first and the English certified translation after it in the same CEAC file.

Do USCIS translations need notarization?

USCIS generally asks for a certified translation, not automatic notarization. Notarization should be added only if an attorney, court, consulate, school, or receiving office specifically requests it.

How much does a certified translation cost?

Corpus Localization charges 8¢ per word or $19.99 per page — whichever is lower for standard certified document translation. Most short documents can be delivered within 24 hours after upload and payment.

Sources: 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3); State.gov Step 7: Collect Civil Documents; State.gov Civil Documents FAQ.

Not legal advice: This page explains document translation requirements and ordering logistics. It does not provide immigration legal advice or guarantee case outcomes.