USCIS certified translation requirements, explained

If you are filing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), every document that contains a foreign language needs an English translation. The rule is short, but the details matter.

What the regulation says

The requirement comes from federal regulation 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3):

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.

In plain English, that means three things:

1. A full translation. The whole document, not a summary.
2. A certification of accuracy. The translator states that the translation is complete and accurate.
3. A certification of competence. The translator states that they are competent to translate from that language into English.

What USCIS does not require

Several things people often pay for are not in the regulation:

• Notarization. USCIS asks for the translator's certification, not a notary's stamp.
• ATA certification. The translator does not need to be certified by the American Translators Association.
• A special form. There is no official USCIS form for the certification statement.

Each translated document should have its own signed certification attached.

What a good certification includes

A typical certification includes the translator's name, signature, address and the date, alongside the two required statements. For example:

I certify that I am competent to translate from Greek into English, and that the attached English translation is a complete and accurate translation of the original document.

Translate everything on the page

"Full" means full. That includes:

• official stamps and seals
• handwritten entries and signatures (marked as such)
• annotations added later, such as a marriage noted on a birth record
• headers, footers and reference numbers

Dates and names

Greek, Albanian and French documents write dates day first. In the US, 04/03/1990 would be read as April 3. Writing the month in words (4 March 1990) removes the risk.

Names should match the spelling in your passport and on your USCIS forms. Greek surnames are a common trap: a woman's surname is often in the genitive form, so Παπαδοπούλου should be Papadopoulou, not "Papadopoulos".

Documents commonly translated for USCIS

• Birth certificates and family status certificates
• Marriage and divorce certificates
• Police certificates
• Diplomas and transcripts
• Name change records

Before you file

Check the instructions for your specific form, as they may list additional document requirements. If you need Greek, Albanian or French documents translated, you can price your document online and pay in US dollars.

Frequently asked questions

Does USCIS accept translations done outside the US?

The regulation doesn't require the translator to be in the US. What matters is the full translation and the translator's certification of accuracy and competence.

Does each document need its own certification?

Yes. Attach a signed certification to each translated document.

Do I need to translate the stamps on my documents?

Yes. A full translation includes stamps, seals, handwritten entries and later annotations.

Sources

• 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): USCIS translation requirement
• Related guide: How Greek, Albanian and French names are written in English

This article is general information based on published guidance as of 29 October 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice, and requirements can change. Always check the current requirements with the office handling your case. Lexiveris Translations provides translation services only and is not affiliated with any government agency.