By Natalia Vega•Updated March 2026•14 USCIS forms covered

USCIS Translation Requirements by Form

Every document submitted to USCIS in a language other than English must include a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Below is a complete breakdown of which documents need translation for each USCIS form.

This reference covers 14 USCIS forms — from family petitions (I-130) to asylum (I-589) to investor immigration (I-526E). For each form, you'll see exactly which documents typically require certified translation, whether notarization or a Certificate of Accuracy is needed, and the most common rejection reasons that lead to Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

✓14 USCIS forms fully mapped
✓Common rejection reasons per form
✓Interactive checklist — copy to clipboard
✓Based on 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)

Requirements by Form Number

Search by form number, check off documents you need, and copy your personalized checklist. Click any form number to learn more about that immigration category.

Form	Documents to Translate	Certified?	Notarization?	Certificate of Accuracy?	Common Rejection Reasons
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative	Birth certificate Marriage certificate Divorce decree Death certificate	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Name mismatch between documents ⚠Missing dates on civil records ⚠Incomplete translation of stamps/seals
I-485 Adjustment of Status	Birth certificate Marriage certificate Police certificate Medical records Bank statements Divorce decree	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Incomplete translation (skipped footer/header) ⚠Missing stamps/seals description ⚠Financial documents not fully translated
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Worker	Diploma Academic transcripts Employment letters Professional licenses	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Degree equivalency unclear ⚠Grading scale not explained ⚠Missing credential evaluation pairing
N-400 Application for Naturalization	Any foreign-language documents in existing file Court records Tax documents	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Prior filing docs not re-translated ⚠Outdated translations from earlier petitions ⚠Name change documents missing
I-129F Fiancé(e) Visa Petition	Birth certificate Divorce decree Death certificate Police certificate Passport	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Missing proof of prior marriage termination ⚠Incomplete passport bio-page translation ⚠Police certificate translation errors
I-589 Asylum Application	Identity documents Country-condition evidence Medical/psychological reports Court records	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Country-condition documents left untranslated ⚠Medical terminology errors ⚠Personal statement not translated
I-751 Remove Conditions on Residence	Marriage certificate Joint financial documents Property records Insurance documents	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Missing joint evidence translations ⚠Financial statements partially translated ⚠Lease/mortgage docs skipped
I-765 Employment Authorization (EAD)	Supporting docs from underlying petition Identity documents	If applicable	Not required	If applicable	⚠Depends on underlying petition requirements
I-821D DACA — Deferred Action	Identity documents School records Employment records Medical records	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Continuous presence documentation gaps ⚠School records partially translated ⚠Employment dates inconsistent
I-20 Certificate of Eligibility (Student)	Academic transcripts Bank statements Sponsor letter Diploma	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Financial docs not translated ⚠Sponsor relationship docs missing ⚠Grading scale omitted
I-864 Affidavit of Support	Tax returns (if foreign) Employment letters Bank statements	If applicable	Not required	Required	⚠Foreign tax documents not translated ⚠Income amounts inconsistent ⚠Employer letter partially translated
I-131 Advance Parole	Supporting docs from underlying petition Travel emergency evidence	If applicable	Not required	If applicable	⚠Depends on underlying petition
DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa (State Dept)	Supporting docs for consulate interview Financial evidence Employment docs	Required	Sometimes	Required	⚠Consulate-specific formatting requirements ⚠Notarization missing when required ⚠Embassy country-specific rules not followed
I-526E EB-5 Investor Immigration	Business documents Source-of-funds evidence Financial statements Corporate records	Required	Not required	Required	⚠Complex financial documents oversimplified ⚠Corporate structure docs incomplete ⚠Source of funds chain broken

What Counts as a Certified Translation for USCIS?

USCIS requires that any document not in English must be accompanied by a complete certified English translation. Per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), the translation must include a signed statement — the Certificate of Accuracy — in which the translator certifies that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the source language into English.

This is not the same as a "notarized" translation. Notarization involves a notary public witnessing the translator's signature, which USCIS does not routinely require. It also differs from a "sworn" translation (common in Europe) or an "apostilled" translation (required for some foreign government filings).

Learn more: What Is a Certified Translation?

5 Most Common Translation Rejection Patterns

Based on analysis of thousands of USCIS submissions, these are the five most frequent reasons translations get rejected with a Request for Evidence (RFE):

1Name transliteration mismatch

The translated name does not match the passport spelling. Example: "Александр" translated as "Alexander" when the passport reads "Aleksandr." USCIS requires exact passport-match spelling.

2Missing stamps, seals, or annotations

Translators skip official stamps, watermarks, or handwritten notes. USCIS considers these part of the document and demands translation of all visible text.

3Incomplete translation

Headers, footers, or margin text left untranslated. Even "República de Colombia" at the top of a birth certificate must appear as "Republic of Colombia" in the translation.

4No signed Certificate of Accuracy

The translation is technically correct but arrives without the required certification statement. USCIS will reject it regardless of quality.

5Self-translation without proper certification

Applicants translate their own documents but fail to include a proper certification statement or use language that undermines their claimed competence.

How to Avoid an RFE for Translation

A Request for Evidence adds 3–6 months to your case timeline. These five steps eliminate nearly all translation-related RFEs:

1Use a professional certified translation service that includes the Certificate of Accuracy with every order.
2Verify name spelling matches your passport exactly — including romanization format.
3Ensure every page is translated, including blank pages, stamps, and handwritten notes.
4If filing multiple documents, check name consistency across all translations (maiden name, married name, patronymic).
5Request a format-matched translation (layout mirrors original) — adjudicators process these faster.

Related Resources

USCIS Certified Translation

Complete guide to USCIS translation requirements.

What Is a Certified Translation?

Definition, examples, and when you need one.

Certificate of Accuracy

What the certificate must include for USCIS.

Requirements Checker Tool

Free 2-minute check for your documents.

Sources

Sources & References

1USCIS / eCFR

8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) — Translation Requirements

2USCIS

USCIS Policy Manual — Evidence

3USCIS

USCIS Filing Tips: I-130

4USCIS

USCIS Filing Tips: I-485

5USCIS

USCIS Filing Tips: N-400

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every USCIS form require certified translation?

Any document filed with USCIS that is not in English must include a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. This applies to all form types — I-130, I-485, N-400, and others. There are no exceptions for any language.

Is notarization required for USCIS translations?

For most USCIS filings, notarization is NOT required. USCIS requires a complete English translation and a signed certificate stating the translator is competent. Notarization may be required for state-level filings, court submissions, or consular processing (e.g., DS-160).

What is a Certificate of Accuracy?

A Certificate of Accuracy (also called Certificate of Translation) is a signed statement by the translator or translation company certifying: (1) the translation is complete and accurate, (2) the translator is competent in both languages. Per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), this must accompany every translated document submitted to USCIS.

Can I translate my own documents for USCIS?

Technically, USCIS does not prohibit self-translation. However, self-translations are flagged at a much higher rate for Requests for Evidence (RFEs). The translator must certify their own competence, which is scrutinized when it is the applicant. Professional certified translation is strongly recommended.

What happens if my translation is rejected by USCIS?

USCIS will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), giving you a deadline (typically 87 days) to provide a compliant translation. This delays your case by months. Common rejection reasons include missing Certificate of Accuracy, incomplete translation (skipped stamps/seals), and name spelling mismatches across documents.

Do I need to translate every page of my document?

Yes. USCIS requires a complete translation of every page — including blank pages, stamps, seals, handwritten annotations, and any text in the margins. Partial translations are a leading cause of RFEs.

How much does certified translation cost for USCIS?

Standard certified translation starts at $29.95/page (up to 250 words). Most single-page documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates) cost $29.95–$59.90. Multi-page documents like transcripts or medical records are priced per page.

How long does certified translation take?

Standard turnaround is 48 hours. Expedited delivery is available in as fast as 12 hours. Complex documents (10+ pages) may take 48–72 hours.

Reviewed by Natalia Vega

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