USCIS certified document translation: What you need to know

USCIS certified document translation: What you need to know

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Are you applying for citizenship in the United States? Or are you immigrating to America? In either case, you will need to submit specific legal documents to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). These documents cannot be submitted in your native language. They must be in English in order to receive the stamp of approval.

Submitting documents to USCIS along with your application is a worrisome time. You want to send your documents with confidence that everything is prepared correctly and in a way that’s likely to get accepted.

Here are a few things you should know before submitting certified translation documents to USCIS.

Why certified translation documents are necessary

For years, the USCIS required that applicants submit notarized translations. That’s no longer the case.

Now, the new official rules of USCIS state that the “…translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.” This is known as a certified translation and it differs from a notarized translation used by most institutions.

Notarized translations only require a licensed notary to sign off on the accuracy. Certified translations require the translator to personally vouch for the accuracy.

This type of translation adds a level of integrity to your application. It shows that the translator is fluent in English and in your native language. It also shows that the person accurately translated the document to the best of his or her abilities. Without this, your application will not get approved.

Types of legal documents to submit

Fortunately, you no longer need to submit the original documents or any certified copies of your legal forms. Instead, you can submit photocopies as long as they are easy-to-read and completely legible.

The types of documents you must have translated and submitted will depend greatly on your application. Some examples of commonly requested legal documents include:

  • Marriage certificates

  • Birth certificates

  • Naturalization certificates

  • Alien cards

  • Court documents

Check your application to determine what type of documents you must submit. Then find a qualified translator who can certify his or her work so that your application is not put in jeopardy.

Finding the right translator

There are several important factors to consider when finding the right certified translator for legal documents. These include:

  • How well the person understands your application and the documents he or she will translate.

  • How reliable the person is to deliver your certified translation on time and completely.

  • How well you will work with the other person to complete the necessary documents in a timely fashion.

  • How you will review the documents and make adjustments to improve accuracy.

Finding the right person to take on such a large role in your USCIS application is vital to getting accepted. You’re encouraged to conduct research and ask questions before handing over your documents.

What can you do?

To improve your chances at getting accepted, find someone that is willing and able to certify the documents he or she translates. With a certified translation done by the right person, you will have more confidence when handing over your application.

Contact BURG to submit your documents for translation today.