Understanding USCIS Certified Translation: What It Is and Why You Need It
Due to often using certified translations of documents never written in English, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun to require them. If you are an immigrant or visa applicant, understanding what a USCIS certified translation is and why it is needed will help you make sure your form is complete, and you don’t end up delaying your process.
What is a USCIS Certified Translation?
A USCIS certified translation is done by a certified translator who attests that the translation is complete and accurate. The certified translator must sign a formal certification stating that they are fluent in both English and the language the document was originally written in. They also confirm that the translation is a true representation without additions or omissions.
The certification of the translator must include the credentials awarded to the certified translator, contact information, affiliated certifications, and organizational memberships. Certified translators are eligible to perform certified translations. Some examples include:
- Membership in the American Translators Association (ATA).
- Certification from the Federation of International Interpreters and Translators (FIT).
- Approved vendor status for government agencies like the IRS, FBI, or Department of State.
The certification allows USCIS officers to review an application or petition and verify the translator’s qualifications and the accuracy of the translation, if necessary.
When Do You Need a Certified Translation for Immigration?
USCIS requires certified English translations of documents in two key situations:
- As part of an immigration application or petition, this includes applications for visas, green cards, naturalization, employment authorization, travel permits, and more. Virtually all applications require supporting documents as part of the filing process.
- For appearances before a USCIS officer. If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) or are called in for an interview, you may need to bring certain foreign language documents with you to support your case.
Some examples of foreign documents that typically require certified translation in immigration proceedings include:
- Birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates.
- Police reports or court documents.
- Medical exams and vaccination records.
- Bank statements and tax records.
- Academic transcripts and diplomas.
- Employment contracts and pay stubs.
In some cases, USCIS may accept informal or non-certified translations for simple personal documents. However, it’s always safest to have your foreign documents professionally certified to avoid potential issues or delays.
Reasons You Need a Certified Translation
Submitting a certified USCIS translation is not just recommended – immigration regulations require it. There are a few key reasons why USCIS insists on certified translations:
- To Verify Accuracy. USCIS officers adjudicating immigration applications do not have the language skills to read documents submitted in hundreds of foreign languages. The translator’s certification verifies that no information was added, lost, or changed in the translation process.
- To Detect Fraud. Unfortunately, some visa and green card applicants submit altered or fake foreign documents, hoping inaccurate translations will hide this fraud. Requiring certified translations makes fraud more difficult.
- To Ensure Proper Decisions. USCIS officers make life-altering decisions based on the documents you submit. Proper translations ensure these choices are made based on accurate information.
- To Avoid Delays. Informal or non-certified translations are more likely to contain errors that raise questions and red flags. Certified translations help your application proceed smoothly and efficiently.
Selecting a Certified Translator
Not all translation services or individual translators can provide the USCIS certifications needed to translate your immigration documents. When selecting a USCIS-certified translator, you or your immigration attorney should:
- Verify Credentials. Ask translators for proof of all relevant training, certifications, and organizational memberships and validate their qualifications.
- Confirm Specialization. Seek out translators with specific experience providing USCIS-certified translations in your language pair. Immigration translation is a specialty.
- Check References. Reputable translators should be able to provide references from prior clients with positive reviews. Ask past customers if the service was professional, timely, and accurate.
- Review Sample Work. Quality translators will often display sample translations on their website. Review samples to gauge tone, style, fluency, and accuracy.
- Compare Estimates. Professional certified translations take time and expertise. Be wary of rates significantly lower than competitors’—low cost may indicate a lack of qualifications.
Doing your due diligence allows you to find the most qualified certified translator to handle your important immigration documents.
The Certified Translation Process
Once you’ve selected an appropriate certified translator, the translation process may include:
- Initial Review. The translator will evaluate the documents needing translation and provide a firm cost estimate.
- Translation. The actual translation from the source language into target English. Quality assurance checks are done.
- Formatting. The English text is formatted professionally in a clean document. Fonts, margins, and layout match common standards.
- Certification. The translator will provide the required certification text, including their credentials and attesting to accuracy. This text is formatted per USCIS requirements.
- Delivery. You will receive the final certified translation by your requested deadline, digitally or in hard copy as needed.
Reputable translators provide quick turnarounds for time-sensitive immigration translations. However, given the overtime required, last-minute rush jobs should cost more.
Why Choose Professional Certification?
Technically, anyone who claims fluency in two languages can provide translations. However, professional certified translators offer key advantages:
- Greater accuracy. Professional translators have years of training and a much lower error rate. Mistakes or omissions can undermine immigration cases.
- In-depth knowledge. Experienced certified translators study the immigration system and understand exactly how USCIS evaluates documents. Their expertise allows them to tailor terminology appropriately.
- Accountability. Certified translators stand by their work product and can be held responsible if questions arise later. They have reputations to uphold.
- Better credibility. USCIS officers know the difference between professional and amateur translations, and professionally certified documents carry much more weight.
For most applicants, the cost of having documents professionally certified is money well spent. It adds legitimacy and prevents you from having to redo translations that don’t meet immigration standards.
Key Takeaways
For non-English speakers, navigating US immigration paperwork may be somewhat difficult. Turning in foreign language materials accompanied by verified English translations guarantees that your application gets the required weight. The main lessons consist of the following:
- USCIS requires certified translations of most foreign documents to validate their accuracy.
- Informal translations likely won’t be accepted; have your documents professionally certified instead.
- Select certified translators carefully based on credentials, experience, samples, and references.
- The certification should validate the translator’s qualifications and fluency in both languages.
- Professionally certified translations carry more weight vs. informal translations.
Understanding what USCIS certified translation is and why it’s mandatory can help you avoid delays and boost your approval odds. Providing complete, accurate application documentation streamlines the path to your immigration goals.