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USCIS Translation Requirements: What to Know in 2026
Submitting foreign-language documents to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires strict adherence to their certified translation rules. Failing to follow these guidelines is one of the most common causes of Requests for Evidence (RFEs), which can delay your application by several months. Here is what you need to know for compliance in 2026.
Common Civil Document Types for Immigration
Immigration filings require a variety of supporting civil documents depending on the visa or green card category. The most frequently translated items include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police clearance records, military service records, and academic diplomas. Every page of the original document must be translated, including stamps, seals, signatures, and handwritten notes. Submitting partial translations or summary translations will result in an immediate rejection or RFE.
The Certification Statement and Competency Clause
USCIS guidelines state that any document containing a foreign language must be accompanied by a full English translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate. The certification statement must include a competency clause stating that the translator is fluent in both English and the source language. It must also feature the translator's signature, printed name, contact address, phone number, and the date. USCIS does not require the translator to be a court-certified professional or a notary, but the applicant cannot translate their own documents.
Name Consistency and Quality Control Standards
Name consistency is a major focus for USCIS reviewers. Names translated from non-Latin alphabets (such as Cyrillic, Arabic, or Chinese) must be transliterated to match the spelling on your passport and official application forms exactly. Additionally, dates should be checked to ensure they are interpreted correctly (especially in countries using Day/Month/Year formatting, which can be misread in the US Month/Day/Year style). Working with a specialized agency like JHBridge guarantees that formatting, transliterations, and certifications meet USCIS expectations.