CertTranslate
Natalia Vega
CertTranslate translation team•Updated •14 forms and related processes

Compare USCIS Supporting Documents by Form

Compare examples of supporting records across USCIS forms and build a translation planning checklist. Follow the current official instructions to decide which documents belong in your filing.

Includes 12 USCIS forms, plus I-20 school records and DS-160 consular records with their own instructions.

Compare forms and build a checklist
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Requirements by Form Number

Compare common records across forms and build a checklist. Open the guide for your form to see which records apply to your filing and where USCIS lists them.

For USCIS submissions, foreign-language records need a complete English translation and translator certification. The records you need depend on your filing category. I-20 and DS-160 follow the receiving school or consulate instructions.

I-130Petition for Alien Relative

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-130 instructionsI-130 translation guide
I-485Adjustment of Status

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-485 instructionsI-485 translation guide
I-140Immigrant Petition for Worker

Translation preserves the source credential. Credential evaluation is a separate service.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-140 instructionsI-140 translation guide
N-400Application for Naturalization

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official N-400 instructionsN-400 translation guide
I-129FFiancé(e) Visa Petition

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-129F instructionsRelated translation service
I-589Asylum Application

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-589 instructionsRelated translation service
I-751Remove Conditions on Residence

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-751 instructionsI-751 translation guide
I-765Employment Authorization (EAD)

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-765 instructionsRelated translation service
I-821DDACA — Deferred Action

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-821D instructionsRelated translation service
I-20Certificate of Eligibility (Student)

A school official issues Form I-20. Ask the school and receiving authority which records and translations they require.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-20 instructionsRelated translation service
I-864Affidavit of Support

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-864 instructionsRelated translation service
I-131Advance Parole

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-131 instructionsRelated translation service
DS-160Nonimmigrant Visa (State Dept)

DS-160 is a Department of State form. Check the specific embassy or consulate instructions for language and translation requirements.

Possible records to review for translation
Official DS-160 instructionsRelated translation service
I-526EEB-5 Investor Immigration

Examples depend on the evidence you submit and the instructions for your filing category.

Possible records to review for translation
Official I-526E instructionsRelated translation service

Certified translation starts at $24.95 per physical page. Your total depends on the records and pages you submit for translation. See pricing and optional extras.

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. The federal rule requires translator certification that the English translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is 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).

Read 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)
Learn more: What Is a Certified Translation?

Five translation details to check

Use these checks to compare the English translation with the source records you plan to submit.

1Name transliteration mismatch

Share passport spellings as a reference and compare names across your records. A real difference in the source should remain visible and may need an explanatory note.

2Missing stamps, seals, or annotations

Check the front, reverse side, stamps and handwritten annotations. Foreign-language content should remain identifiable in the complete translation.

3Incomplete translation

Compare the translation against every page of the submitted source. Check headers, footers and marginal entries as well as the main fields.

4No signed Certificate of Accuracy

Check for the translator’s certification of completeness, accuracy and competence. CertTranslate provides a signed certificate with each translated document.

5Self-translation without proper certification

Anyone translating must meet the same completeness and certification requirements. Confirm that the required competence and accuracy statements accompany the English translation.

Prepare your records for translation

A clear source file and a complete translation help the receiving authority compare the record with its English version. Before ordering:

  • 1Identify the records for your filing category using the official instructions or your legal adviser’s guidance.
  • 2Share passport spellings and any prior translations as reference material.
  • 3Upload clear copies of all pages and relevant reverse sides, including stamps and annotations.
  • 4Flag differences in names, dates or registry numbers across the source records.
  • 5Confirm the translated page count, total price, delivery time and included certification before payment.

Related Resources

USCIS Certified Translation

Pricing, sample deliverables and the translation service.

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?
The federal rule applies to a document containing foreign-language text that you submit to USCIS. It requires a full English translation and certification of completeness, accuracy and translator competence. Which source documents belong in the filing depends on the current form instructions.
Is notarization required for USCIS translations?
The general USCIS translation rule requires translator certification and does not require notarization. For school, consulate or other submissions, check the instructions from that receiving authority.
What is a Certificate of Accuracy?
The translator certifies that the English translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the source language into English. CertTranslate supplies a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy with each translated document, including the translator’s name, date and contact details.
Can I translate my own documents for USCIS?
8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) does not expressly prohibit the petitioner or beneficiary from translating. Anyone translating must provide the required complete translation and certification of accuracy and competence and follow the applicable instructions.
What happens if my translation is rejected by USCIS?
Follow the instructions and deadline in the notice you receive. For a CertTranslate order, send us the notice and order number so we can review any translation-related issue under our written guarantee. The response required and processing time depend on the case.
Do I need to translate every page of my document?
Include all pages and relevant reverse sides that form part of the document you submit. A full translation covers foreign-language fields, stamps, seals and annotations. Send the whole record so we can check for content on each side.
How much does certified translation cost for USCIS?
Certified translation starts at $24.95 per physical page, with no word cap. The total depends on the records and pages you submit for translation. We confirm the price and timing after file review.
How long does certified translation take?
Most 1–3 page orders are delivered within 24 hours. Longer or complex records may take more time. We confirm delivery after reviewing your files; optional rush delivery depends on the documents.
Natalia Vega
Translation team · Natalia Vega

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