USCIS Document Translation: An English Translation Guide for US Applications

When preparing a civil registry extract, marriage certificate or court judgment for your US application, knowing which type of translation you need matters for both time and cost. If you submit a document to USCIS that contains a language other than English, a complete English translation and the translator's certification of accuracy and competence are required. ^[1]

People looking for USCIS document translation services most often ask whether notarisation is mandatory, whether documents from e-Devlet can be translated, and what “certified translation” means. Proper translation preparation starts by identifying where the document will be submitted and at which stage of the application.

What is USCIS document translation?

USCIS is the abbreviation for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. English translations prepared for foreign-language documents to be submitted to this agency are commonly called USCIS translations or immigration document translations.

Under 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3), the translation must be complete; the translator must certify that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the source language into English. Translating only the parts of the document considered important does not meet this requirement. ^[1]

For example, a civil registry extract must accurately reproduce family information, explanations and the remarks section, as well as the given name, surname and date of birth. Professional translation checks also cover writing on the reverse, additional pages, legible seal text and handwritten annotations. If a section cannot be read, its content is not guessed; the uncertainty is clearly indicated and, where possible, a clearer document is requested.

Is a certified translation the same as a sworn translation?

“Certified translation” means that the translation is accompanied by a statement explaining its accuracy and the translator's language competence. It is not exactly the same concept as the sworn-translator practice in Türkiye. For USCIS, the central issue is whether the translation includes the required certification; a “sworn translation” heading or an agency stamp alone is not an adequate basis for checking compliance.

When preparing a professional translator's certification, it is recommended to include the given name and surname, signature, date, address and contact details, as well as the source and target languages. The document to which the certification relates should also be clear. The American Translators Association (ATA) explains that its own professional certification is not mandatory for USCIS translations. ^[2]

When searching for a service described as “USCIS-approved translation”, ask whether the translation includes these elements. This service description does not mean that your immigration application will be approved.

Does a USCIS translation require notarisation or an apostille?

USCIS's general translation provision requires the translator's certification; it does not establish notarisation or an apostille as a general requirement for the translation. You therefore do not automatically need notarisation or an apostille solely for a translation to be submitted to USCIS. However, instructions specific to the application or to another institution where the document will be used must be checked separately. ^[1]

An apostille is a separate procedure that simplifies the authentication of official documents for use in other countries. It serves a different purpose from the translator's certification of the translation's accuracy. An apostille on a document does not replace the required English translation. ^[5]

When ordering a translation, explaining that “the document will be used in my USCIS file” allows the required delivery and certification format to be considered from the outset.

Which documents may require an English translation?

The documents to be translated depend on the type of application and the evidence to be submitted. The table below shows example document groups for translation preparation; it is not a mandatory application checklist for everyone.

Preparing a Green Card or family-based application does not mean that all these documents must be translated. Before placing an order, determine the scope using the current instructions for the relevant form and, where applicable, the document list provided by the lawyer handling your case.

How should e-Devlet documents and civil registry extracts be prepared?

Legible documents obtained from e-Devlet can be translated. However, a document being suitable for translation and meeting the document-type requirements for your application are separate matters. For civil registry extracts in particular, the document's scope, whether family members are shown, and whether the remarks section is included may be important for your file.

The US Department of State's official civil document guide for Türkiye describes the civil registry extract and, as an alternative, Formula A in its birth certificates section; it also discusses documents issued through e-Devlet. This guide is useful when choosing source documents, but it does not replace USCIS form instructions. ^[3]

Where possible, send the e-Devlet document for translation as the original downloaded PDF. Screenshots may cut off explanations or verification information at the bottom of the page. Before having an older document translated, check whether your application has any requirement concerning how recently it was issued.

In multilingual documents such as Formula A or Formula B, English equivalents for the headings do not necessarily mean that every explanation in the document is in English. If there are Turkish entries or notes, consider them separately.

Do translation rules differ between USCIS, NVC and consular applications?

Yes. Documents may be submitted to different institutions within the same immigration process. USCIS's English translation requirement for foreign-language documents and the instructions for the National Visa Center (NVC) and consular stage must be considered separately.

The US Department of State's general immigrant visa document instructions require certified translations of documents that are not in English or in the official language of the country where the application is made. However, the consular post and the document type may have specific requirements. For example, the court and criminal records section of Ankara's immigrant visa instructions requires an English translation of court documents that are not in English. ^{[4, 6]}

The fact that “Turkish documents are accepted in Ankara” therefore does not mean that the same document can be submitted to USCIS without a translation. Determine the need for translation using the current checklist for the stage at which the document will be submitted.

What should you check in a professional USCIS translation?

Checking the following points before the translation is delivered makes it easier to compare the documents in your file:

• Scope: Does the translation include all the pages, attachments and legible annotations in the document you sent?
• Identity details: Are given names, surnames, dates of birth and document numbers reproduced correctly? If source documents use different spellings, have these differences been clarified?
• Dates and amounts: Are day-month order, currencies and numerical details written without ambiguity? For example, “October 5, 2026” makes the date order clear for 5 October 2026.
• Document layout: Can table headings, record entries and explanations be matched easily to the source document?
• Translator's certification: Is it clear that the translation is complete and accurate, that the translator is competent in the relevant languages, and which document the certification relates to?

If an error or inconsistency is noticed in the source document, silently changing it in the translation is not an appropriate solution. First consider whether a correction is needed from the institution that issued the document.

USCIS document translation fees and turnaround time

Translation fees are determined by the language, volume of text, document type, legibility, table density and delivery deadline. A one-page civil registry extract and a detailed court judgment involve different amounts of work. For multi-page documents, ask whether attachments and reverse sides are included in the price.

For a clear quotation, provide all the documents, the receiving institution, your deadline, and whether you need digital or printed delivery. Also confirm whether a signed translator's certification is included in the quotation. Plan the turnaround time by considering translation, review and file preparation together.

Frequently asked questions

Request a translation quotation for your USCIS application

You can contact İdeal Translation Bureau for your civil registry extract, birth or marriage certificate, divorce judgment and other supporting documents. Share legible copies of your documents, the application stage where they will be used, and your deadline to request information about the scope, fee and turnaround time for an English translation and translator's certification.