Document Translations and Immigration (USCIS and NVC)

One of the most expensive parts of any immigration application or petition is the translations of documents required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the National Visa Center (NVC). In the past this meant the requirement of having documents translated by a certified translator, easily costing an immigrant hundreds to thousands of dollars in translation costs.

Thankfully, USCIS has eased this requirement, allowing immigrants to submit documents translated by any person that has a proper understanding of both languages and attaches a Certificate of Translation to the original foreign language document. The English translation can even be done by a friend that is fluent in English and the language being translated. However, that person must include a full and complete translation of all the information and characters on the foreign language document. Once completed they should complete a Certification Letter that identifies the translator (name and address), attests to their fluency in the two languages and identifies the document. Please remember that it is best for the Certificate or Certification of Translation be attached to each separate foreign language document.

Please note that for USCIS, under the authority of US Department of Homeland Security, these Translation Certificates work on almost all documents. Moreover, USCIS does not regularly require original or "certified copies" of documents anymore. Instead, legible photocopies of documents are acceptable for the filing and approval of petitions and applications. To be safe, it is best to send color copies. In some instances it is necessary to send copies of the front and back of the document (such as the USCIS Form I-551 Permanent Residency Card a.k.a. "Green Card" or Form I-94 "Arrival-Departure Record.")

However, The NVC, under the auspices of the US State Department, in many cases will not accept Translation Certificates from just any individual and may require official translations of some documents. The NVC is the Government Organization that in many instances collects the Immigrants documents in preparation for their interview at the US Consul or Embassy abroad. Moreover, the NVC usually requires the documents submitted be originals or certified copies. The NVC is much more restrictive in its document requirements.


The following is a sample of the Translation Certification or Certification by Translator that includes the information required by USCIS, as well as additional document specific information:

Certification of Translation

(______ to English)

I, ____________________ swear and affirm that I am fluent in the English and _______ languages and that the translation of the document below is a true and accurate representation of the words, terms and context of this document in English.

Name of Document:

Date of Document:

Author/Publication’s Name:  

I sign and endorse this translation under penalty of perjury, this ___ day of _____ 2014, in _____________________.

_______________________________

Name of Translator:_____________

Address:_______________________

_______________________________