USCIS Translation- A complete Guide

The Complete Guide to Certified Translation for USCIS

If you need a USCIS translation, let us be the first to say this: congratulations on starting your immigration journey! As a translation agency offering high quality, certified translations, we at Languex will be here every step of the way to help you along this process. We know (from experience) how complex this process will be, so we promise to always offer clear, unbiased answers to any questions you might have.

As you might already know, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government agency responsible for granting immigration benefits to those who need them. As part of the immigration application process, USCIS requires that all documents be translated into English regardless of their original language. This process is often referred to as “USCIS translation.”

In this guide, you will learn about USCIS translation, the types of documents that require translation, USCIS translation requirements, and how to order your translations from Languex. Additionally, we will discuss common mistakes to avoid in USCIS translation and answer frequently asked questions to help you on your immigration journey.

What Is “USCIS Translation?”

In general, a USCIS translation is a type of certified translation that’s been translated from its original language to English by certified translator so that it can be used in immigration applications to the United States. What makes USCIS translations unique is the official guidelines they must follow to be accepted. These certified translated documents must be accurate, complete, and include a certification statement signed by a certified translation service to verify their accuracy. 

The exact requirements as stated by the code of Federal Regulations are as follows:

“Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator’s certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.”

By providing this official certification and a translated document, a translator shows that they speak and understand both the original language and English. Organizations and translators that are “certified” have passed a rigorous testing and screening process, allowing them to give this stamp of approval to the translations of government documents.

USCIS relies on the translated documents to verify the applicant’s identity, eligibility, and background. That means that they will only work with documents that meet requirements and have proper verification of their accuracy. As a result, it’s vital to seek out only certified, experienced professionals like the team at Languex for USCIS translations; inaccurate or incomplete materials can result in delays, denials, or even the revocation of immigration benefits.

What is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation is a document that has been translated from one language to another by a professional translator with a signed translation certificate.

A Certificate of Translation is a document issued by a professional translator or professional translation agency, attesting that the translation is an accurate and authentic representation of the original document. This certificate typically includes the following:

• The translator’s signature
• A stamp
• Contact information
• The date of the translation

Additionally, the certificate of translation includes the translator’s qualifications, such as experience with the language in question, professional accreditations, or membership in a professional translation organization. These details can provide additional assurance of the translator’s expertise and capabilities. 

A translation certificate is required along with the translated document, primarily when it is used for official or legal purposes. Projects like immigration or USCIS applications, educational transcripts, or legal contracts are a few examples of when a translation from a certified professional may be necessary.

USCIS Certified Translation Sample

Below is a sample of a translation certificate issued for USCIS translation by Languex, a professional certified translation service company. You may notice that signatures from both the individual translator and our company’s agent are present to verify the accuracy of the document.

To take a closer look, check out this example of an official statement certifying the document:

This is to certify that I, [translator’s name], have translated the attached document, [name of document], from [the original language] to [target language].

I certify that the translation is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and ability.

Signed: [translator’s signature] Date: [Date of Translation]

Per the USCIS requirements, if a translated document is not certified by a professional translator or translation company like the above example, your documents will be rejected.

Important note: All our certified translations include a free ink-signed and sealed certified translation certificate compliment per USCIS requirements. You can select our two-day delivery service to receive the original copy of the ink-signed and stamped translation and translation certificate. We send digital copies to your email for free.

Types of USCIS Documents that Require Translation

Essentially any document that might be needed to verify personal information about someone can warrant a professional, certified translation. Things that can prove a person’s identity, personal background, criminal history, etc. may be used in the immigration benefit granting process.

Below are some of the most common types of USCIS documents that might require a certified translation:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Divorce Decrees
• Educational Degrees and Transcripts
• Police Clearance Certificates
• Medical Records

USCIS Translator and Translation Requirements

To meet USCIS guidelines, there are some key things to look out for in both a translated document and professional translation services. Fortunately, USCIS has clear, specific requirements for documents submitted as part of an immigration application. 

Here are a few big points to be aware of for all USCIS translations:

• Accuracy: The translation should accurately reflect the original document’s content, including all necessary information. In other words, it should say the same thing in the same way – even details like tone, specific vocabulary, and formatting should be considered.
• Completeness: The document must be complete and include all original pages, including signatures, seals, and dates.
• Certification: Translated materials must include a certification statement signed by the translator that can attest to the documents’ accuracy.
• Translator Qualifications: Importantly, the translator themselves must meet the qualifications outlined by USCIS. This may include being a certified translator, a member of a professional translation association, or a native speaker of the target language.

You may also want to note that these requirements may be subject to change, and specific details that are relevant to your needs might be important to consider. Luckily, the professional, certified translators at Languex can do the hard work of being aware of and meeting USCIS guidelines for you.

Qualifications of approved USCIS Translator

• Certified Translators: A certified translator is a professional who has passed a certification exam and has been recognized by a professional organization. We work with certified team members who can translate in over 100 languages to pair you with the right match. 
• Members of Translation Associations: Our services feature work from qualified, experienced translators who are members of professional translation associations, such as the American Translators Association.
• Native Speakers of the Target Language: Because USCIS looks for translations from native speakers of the target language, our team is made up of people from all backgrounds who can meet your needs.

Translation of USCIS or Immigration Documents

How do I translate a document for immigration or USCIS?‍

To translate a document for immigration, you need to follow the guidelines set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here are the steps you need to follow immigration translation:

• Find a Professional immigration translation service  : Look for a professional USCIS Translation Service compay or a Certified Translator  specialized in USCIS translation who is a native speaker of the target language and meets the qualifications outlined by USCIS. This may include certified translators, members of professional translation associations, or native speakers of the target language.
• Provide the original document: Provide the original non-English document to the translator for translation.
• Ensure accuracy: Review the translated document carefully to ensure that it accurately reflects the content of the original document.
• Include certification statement: The translated document must include a certification statement signed by the translator, attesting to the accuracy of the translation.
• Formatting requirements: The translated document must match the format of the original document, including page numbers, signatures, and seals.
• Submit to USCIS: Submit the translated document, along with any other required forms and documents to USCIS.

Important note: USCIS does not require notarizing your translated documents. Only a certified translation of your documents by a professional translation company or a translator is sufficient. It is also important to note that these requirements are subject to change. It is always best to consult theUSCIS official website or guidelines for the most up-to-date information on USCIS Translation Requirements.

How To Order USCIS Translation from languex ?

Here are quick steps to translate your documents for USCIS in 24 hours from Languex, a top professional USCIS translation service company trusted by 50,000 customers and immigration law firms.

• Visit the USCIS Translation Service page.
• Get a free, instant quote by entering a few details, including the language translation you need, the number of pages, your contact details, and additional details such as specialty required, formatting, and so on.
• Upload your documents, and translators will start working on them
• Once the expert translators complete your work, you can either approve it or request free revisions
• When you’re happy with the final translated copy and signed USCIS-compliant certificate, we will email you the translation or send the hard copy to your address

Important note: All our certified translations include a free ink-signed and sealed certified translation certificate with an optional notarized translation certificate. You can select our two-day delivery service to receive the original copy of the ink-signed and stamped translation and translation certificate. We send digital copies to your email for free.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in USCIS Translation

The following are some common mistakes to avoid when preparing USCIS translations:

• Incomplete Translation: The translated document must be complete, including all necessary information, such as signatures, seals, and dates.
• Inaccurate Translation: The translated document must accurately reflect the contents of the original document.
• Missing Required Information: The translated document must include all required information, such as a certification statement signed by the translator.

Conclusion

At Languex, we understand just how important it is to produce translated materials that are accurate, high-quality, and complete. When it comes to obtaining a USCIS-certified translation, it’s more important than ever to turn to professionals who can get the job done well and who you can trust. Our team of USCIS-approved translators is always available to help. To learn more about what we can do to meet your needs, order your translation or reach out for a free quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions About USCIS Translation