What USCIS actually requires
The rule is short and specific. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any document containing a foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, together with the translator’s certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
In practice, a compliant translation package has three parts:
- A complete translation. Every word, date, number, seal, stamp, handwritten note and margin annotation must be translated. A translation of only the “important” fields is not a full translation.
- A signed certificate of accuracy. The translator confirms that the English version is a complete and accurate rendering of the original.
- A signed statement of competence. The translator confirms that he or she is competent to translate from the source language into English.
The certification should identify the translator, include a signature and date, and be attached to the translation. A business seal or letterhead can support the document, but it does not replace the translator’s signed statement.
The exact regulatory language
“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.”
— 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)
A sample certification statement
I, [translator’s full name], certify that I am competent to translate from Spanish into English and that the attached translation of [document name and number] is complete and accurate.
Signature: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Contact: ______________________
This is the substance USCIS is looking for. Fancy bindings, notary stamps and gold seals are not what make a translation acceptable; the translator’s signed certification is.
What “certified translation” does—and does not—mean
The word “certified” causes more confusion than almost any other term in immigration paperwork. Here is the practical distinction:
| Term | What it means | Does USCIS require it? |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation | A translation accompanied by the translator’s signed statement of accuracy and competence | Yes |
| Certified copy | A copy authenticated as a true copy of an original, usually by a notary or public official | Not as a substitute for the translation |
| Notarized translation | A notary confirms the identity of the person who signed, not the quality of the translation | No |
| Apostille | A Hague Convention certificate used to authenticate a public document for use in another country | Not required on the translation itself |
| USCIS-approved translator | There is no such designation. USCIS does not approve or license translators | No |
A notary can witness a signature, but a notary is not certifying that the Spanish text was translated correctly. An apostille authenticates the signature and seal on a public document; it does not translate the document and does not make a bad translation good.
Bottom line: the translation must be complete, accurate and accompanied by a signed translator certification. That is the standard we build every USCIS translation around.
Documents we translate for USCIS and immigration filings
We translate the documents that commonly accompany I-130, I-485, N-400, I-751, I-589, I-864, I-765 and responses to Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Civil records | Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, adoption records |
| Identity documents | Passports, national ID cards, voter IDs, military records, police certificates |
| Academic records | Diplomas, transcripts, school certificates, professional licenses, credential evaluations |
| Court and legal records | Judgments, powers of attorney, affidavits, criminal background certificates, name-change records |
| Financial and employment records | Employment letters, pay stubs, tax documents, bank letters, pension statements |
| Medical and support documents | Medical letters, vaccination records, affidavits of support, custody orders |
If your document is not on the list, send a legible scan or photo. We will confirm whether it can be translated and what the certification will cover.
What “complete” means in a USCIS translation
USCIS does not want a summary. It wants the document as it exists, in English.
That means translating:
- The title, document number and issuing authority.
- Every field, including blank fields and their labels.
- Dates, places and names exactly as they appear.
- Seals, stamps, signatures, fingerprints and handwritten annotations.
- Marginal notes, corrections, strike-throughs and amendments.
- The reverse side of the document, if it contains information.
- Any attached apostille or authentication page, when it is part of the document you are submitting.
Names deserve special attention. If the passport says “María Fernanda López García” and the birth certificate says “Maria Fernanda Lopez Garcia,” the translation should preserve the difference rather than “fix” it. USCIS compares documents; unexplained changes can trigger questions. We translate what is there and flag inconsistencies for you.
Why translations get rejected or trigger an RFE
Most translation problems are avoidable. The common ones:
- The translation is incomplete. A stamp, a seal or a back page was left out.
- There is no signed certification. The translation looks professional but lacks the translator’s statement.
- The certification is vague. It says “certified translation” but not that the translation is complete, accurate and made by a competent translator.
- The translator’s information is missing. No full name, signature or date.
- The translation was machine-generated and not reviewed. Names, dates and legal terms are often wrong.
- The document changed after translation. A new apostille, correction or annotation was added and the translation no longer matches.
- The wrong document was translated. For example, a summary certificate instead of the full birth record.
A translation does not need to be expensive to be compliant. It needs to be complete, accurate and properly certified.
How our process works
1. Send the document
Send a clear scan or photo by WhatsApp or through the quote form. Include all pages, including the back and any stamps. If you have the original, keep it; we work from a legible copy.
2. Confirm the use and the language pair
Tell us the form or purpose (for example, I-130, N-400, RFE response) and the source language. Most of our USCIS work is Spanish → English. We also handle other language pairs through our translator network.
3. Receive a fixed quote
We quote per document, not per page, so you know the total before you pay. The price depends on the document type, length, language pair and turnaround. There are no hidden fees.
4. Human translation and review
A professional translator prepares the translation. A second reviewer checks names, dates, numbers, seals and completeness. We do not deliver raw machine output.
5. Certification and delivery
The translator signs the certification. We deliver a print-ready PDF, and we can arrange a physical copy with a wet signature and seal if the filing requires it. Digital delivery is usually sufficient for USCIS; the signature and certification are what matter.
6. Revisions
If USCIS issues an RFE because a page or stamp was missing, contact us with the notice. We will review the file and correct our work where the issue is ours.
Turnaround and pricing
- Standard turnaround: typically 24–48 hours for straightforward single documents, confirmed after we review the file.
- Urgent requests: available for many documents, subject to capacity and an urgent fee quoted in advance.
- Large files: we set a schedule and deliver in batches so you can assemble the filing without waiting for the entire packet.
We do not publish one-size-fits-all prices because a one-page birth certificate and a 40-page court record are not the same job. Send the document and you will receive a fixed quote before you commit.
Why clients choose Kiwih Traducciones
- Mexico City base, immigration and academic document specialists. We work with applicants, families and attorneys who file with USCIS and other agencies.
- Peritos traductores authorized by the TSJ-CDMX and the PJF. Our certified translations are signed and sealed by authorized experts, not by an anonymous online queue.
- Human translation and second review. Names, dates and stamps are checked before delivery.
- More than 20 years of experience. We have seen the document problems that trigger RFEs, and we translate with that in mind.
- 15+ languages and a 40+ language network. Spanish–English is our most requested pair for U.S. filings; we also handle French, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and other languages.
- Rated 4.9/5 across 38 Google reviews. A track record clients can check before they send a document.
- Urgent service, 365 days a year. Same-day or 24-hour delivery is available for many documents, subject to capacity and confirmed before payment.
- Digital delivery anywhere. You do not need to be in Mexico to work with us.
- Confidentiality. Your documents are handled for the purpose of the quote and translation only.
Frequently asked questions
Does USCIS require a certified translation?
Yes—but “certified” means the translator signs a statement that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent. USCIS does not require a notary or a government-issued translation certificate.
Can I translate my own document for USCIS?
The regulation does not expressly prohibit self-translation, but it is a poor idea. USCIS may question the translator’s objectivity and competence, and errors in your own case can be costly. A signed translation from a qualified third party is the safer route.
Does the translation need to be notarized?
No. A notary confirms identity and signature, not translation quality. USCIS’s rule focuses on the translator’s certification. If a particular form or attorney asks for notarization, follow that instruction, but it is not a USCIS translation requirement.
Does the original document need an apostille?
That depends on the document and the filing. The translation rule itself does not require an apostille on the translation. Some documents used for other purposes may need an apostille or a certified copy. Check the form instructions or ask the attorney handling your case.
Can you translate documents issued in another country?
Yes, as long as we can read the source language and the document is legible. We regularly translate documents issued throughout Latin America.
How long does a USCIS translation take?
Most single documents are delivered within 24–48 hours after we confirm the quote and receive the complete file. Larger packets and uncommon languages take longer. The exact turnaround is confirmed before you pay.
Do you translate from English into Spanish?
Yes. We handle both directions. For USCIS filings, the required translation is into English.
Is your translation accepted by USCIS?
We prepare translations to meet the 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) requirements: complete translation, signed accuracy certification and signed statement of competence. The final decision rests with USCIS, but our certification is designed for that standard. If you receive an RFE related to our translation, contact us.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. We are a translation agency, not a law firm. We can explain what the translation must contain, but we do not advise on immigration eligibility, forms or strategy.
Get your USCIS translation quote
Send a clear photo or scan of your document. Tell us the form or purpose and your deadline. You will receive a fixed quote and a clear delivery time—no obligation.
WhatsApp: +52 55 8083 4834
Phone: +52 55 1204 1135
Email: contacto@kiwih.com.mx
Address: Tuxpan 39-int. 703-B, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, 06760 Mexico City
Service area: Mexico and the United States, with digital delivery worldwide.