Certified Translation and USCIS Document Guides
Practical guides on certified translation, USCIS document requirements, Green Card supporting records, Brazilian documents, Spanish-language records and document preparation for U.S. immigration. F2 Traduções provides translation services only; immigration strategy and legal advice should be confirmed with a qualified attorney.
English resources
Guides for USCIS, Green Card and immigration document translation
USCIS
Does USCIS Require a Certified Translator?
USCIS does not state that a translator must hold a special USCIS-issued translator license. The federal rule requires a full English translation plus the translator's certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate into English.
USCIS
Does USCIS Require Translations to Be Notarized?
The general USCIS translation rule requires a full English translation and translator certification. 8 CFR §103.2(b)(3) does not impose a blanket requirement that the translation or certification be notarized.
Certified Translation
What Is a Certificate of Translation Accuracy for USCIS?
A Certificate of Translation Accuracy is the certification statement that identifies a translated document and states that the English translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate from the source language into English.
USCIS
Does USCIS Require an Apostille for Foreign Documents?
The general USCIS translation rule does not impose a blanket apostille requirement. Translation and apostille are different document functions. Whether the underlying document needs authentication depends on the filing, document and applicable instructions—not on the translation rule alone.
USCIS
Can I Translate My Own Documents for USCIS?
8 CFR §103.2(b)(3) does not expressly state a blanket prohibition on an applicant translating their own document. It requires a full English translation and a translator certification of completeness, accuracy and competence. Whether self-translation is a sensible choice is a separate practical question.
USCIS
Does USCIS Require the Entire Document to Be Translated?
Yes—the USCIS rule calls for a full English translation of a foreign-language document submitted as evidence. A summary or translation of only the “important paragraph” is not the same as a full translation.
Immigration Documents
How to Translate a Birth Certificate for USCIS
A birth certificate submitted to USCIS in a foreign language should be translated fully into English and accompanied by the translator's certification of completeness, accuracy and competence.
Immigration Documents
Police Certificate Translation for USCIS: What Needs to Be Translated?
Foreign-language police certificates and criminal-record documents submitted to USCIS should be translated fully into English and accompanied by translator certification.
Academic Documents
Diploma and Academic Transcript Translation for USCIS
Foreign-language diplomas and academic transcripts submitted to USCIS need complete English translation and translator certification. Translation is not the same as credential evaluation, degree equivalency or GPA conversion.
Immigration Documents
Divorce Decree Translation for USCIS: A Document Guide
Foreign-language divorce evidence submitted to USCIS should be translated fully into English with translator certification. The underlying evidence may be a court decree, judgment, certificate, public instrument or civil-registry annotation depending on the country.
Green Card
What Documents May Need Translation for a Green Card Application?
Any foreign-language document actually submitted to USCIS as evidence in a Green Card matter generally needs a full English translation with translator certification. The specific evidence required depends on the immigration category and filing.
Green Card
What Documents May Need Translation for EB-2 NIW?
EB-2 NIW matters can involve extensive foreign-language evidence, including academic, professional, employment, publication, award, financial and corporate records. Any foreign-language document actually submitted to USCIS generally needs a complete English translation with translator certification.
Brazilian Documents
Brazilian Documents for USCIS: A Translation Guide
Brazilian documents submitted to USCIS in Portuguese generally need complete English translation and translator certification. The translation challenge is not only Portuguese-to-English language—it is understanding Brazilian document structures such as cartório records, inteiro teor certificates, averbações and históricos escolares.
Spanish Documents
Spanish Documents for USCIS: A Translation Guide
Spanish-language documents submitted to USCIS generally need a complete English translation and translator certification. The federal translation rule is consistent, but the documents themselves vary significantly by country, including their names, registry structure, terminology and issuing authorities.
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