Document Translation Requirements in the United States
Official bodies in the United States generally require a certified translation of foreign-language documents, and many documents also need an apostille or legalization before they are translated. Below: who can translate, when an apostille is needed, and where the official rules are published.
The United States follows a certified-translation standard: any document not in English needs a complete English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy from a competent translator. USCIS, universities, and courts accept this — no sworn translator and no notarization is required by USCIS. The U.S. has been in the Hague Apostille Convention since 1981, so a U.S. document used abroad is apostilled by the issuing state or the Department of State; foreign documents submitted in the U.S. need a certified translation, not an apostille.
United States requirements at a glance
| Translation standard | Certified translation |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | Any competent translator providing a signed certification of accuracy |
| Apostille | No (unless the document will be used outside the United States) |
| Apostille authority | For U.S. documents used abroad: the Secretary of State of the issuing state for state documents (such as a birth certificate), and the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. |
| Accepted languages | English (for federal authorities such as USCIS) |
| Responsible authority | U.S. Department of State (for apostilles issued in the U.S.) |
Who can translate documents for use in the United States?
What makes a translation official in the United States?
Federal vs State-level differences
How does the United States treat documents from abroad?
Legal basis
Apostille & legalization for the United States
United States is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (since 1981), so public documents are authenticated with a single apostille — no consular legalization.
Documents from the United States
For U.S. documents used abroad: the Secretary of State of the issuing state for state documents (such as a birth certificate), and the U.S. Department of State for federal documents.The United States has been a party to the Convention since 1981.
Foreign documents used in the United States
Foreign documents submitted to USCIS, a university, or a court do not need an apostille — they need a certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. An apostille authenticates an original for a foreign government, not for U.S. use.
The apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the apostille certificate is translated too. See how apostilles work, or order a translation with e-apostille.
How to get a the United States document translation accepted
- 1
Translate every non-English document in full
USCIS requires the complete document — including stamps, seals, and marginal notes — rendered into English, not summarized.
- 2
Keep the Certificate of Accuracy with the translation
It carries the translator's statement of competence, full name, signature, and date — the element that makes the translation "certified".
- 3
Submit the original plus the certified translation
File them together with USCIS, the university, or the court. No notarization or apostille is required for USCIS.
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Certified for USCIS, universities, and credential evaluators — from $24.95/page.
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Submitting foreign documents in the United States?
Authorities in the United States accept certified English translations with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. We translate from 60+ languages with delivery in 24–48 hours.
Sending U.S. documents abroad?
U.S.-issued documents usually need an apostille before they can be used in another country — and the apostille should be obtained before the translation, so the certificate itself gets translated too. We offer e-apostille processing as an add-on to any order.
Popular certified translations
The document types we certify most often — each with its own pricing and requirements page.
Why the United States document translations get rejected
The mistakes we see most often on U.S. documents — and what a correct certified translation does instead.
Stamps and seals left untranslated
USCIS requires the entire document in English; a translation that renders the text but skips the stamps, seals, or marginal notes is treated as incomplete.
Read the caseCertificate of Accuracy missing or incomplete
The certification must state that the translation is accurate and that the translator is competent, with the full name, signature, and date; without it, the translation is not certified.
Document summarized instead of translated
A summary or "gist" is not a certified translation; USCIS requires a faithful, full rendering of every line.
Cost & turnaround
A one-page certificate is priced as a single page; multi-page transcripts and court records are priced by their page count. Standard delivery is 24–48 hours, with notarization and e-apostille available as add-ons. See full pricing.
United States translation requirements — FAQ
Does USCIS require a certified translation?
Yes. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any foreign-language document filed with USCIS must include a full English translation that the translator certifies as complete and accurate, with a statement of competence.
USCIS translation requirementsDoes USCIS require the translation to be notarized?
No. USCIS requires a signed Certificate of Accuracy, not notarization. Some other bodies — certain DMVs or courts — may ask for a notarized translation, which we offer as an add-on.
certified vs notarizedDo I need an apostille for USCIS?
No. An apostille authenticates an original document for a foreign government; USCIS generally does not require one for supporting documents. What USCIS needs is a certified English translation.
how apostilles workWhat is a Certificate of Accuracy?
It is the signed statement attached to the translation in which the translator certifies that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate. It is what makes a translation "certified" for USCIS.
Certificate of Accuracy explainedCan I translate my own documents for USCIS?
No. USCIS rejects self-translation because of the conflict of interest. The translation must be completed and certified by an independent, competent translator.
what a certified translation isWhich languages do you translate for USCIS?
We translate certified documents from 60+ languages into English, including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, and many more, each with a signed Certificate of Accuracy.
languages we translateAre translation rules different by USCIS form?
The certified-translation requirement is the same across forms, but the documents you must include differ by form (I-130, I-485, N-400, and others). Our form guides map the translation needs for each.
translation rules by USCIS formHow much does a certified translation for USCIS cost?
Pricing is per page. A one-page birth certificate is a single page; multi-page records are priced by page count. Notarization and e-apostille are optional add-ons.
see live pricingSources
- Submission of certified English translations — 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (USCIS)
- Office of Authentications (apostilles on U.S. federal documents)U.S. Department of State
- Apostille Convention — specialised sectionHague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.
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