The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a strict blanket rule: Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English language translation.
The Most Commonly Translated Immigration Documents
If any of the following original documents are in a language other than English, a Certified Translation is mandatory:
- Birth Certificates: The most crucial document for establishing identity and family relationships.
- Marriage Certificates: Required for spousal visas (CR-1/IR-1) and adjustments of status.
- Divorce Decrees or Annulments: To prove a previous marriage was legally terminated before entering a new one.
- Police Clearance Certificates: Essential for demonstrating good moral character.
- Academic Transcripts and Diplomas: Frequently required for employment-based visas (like H-1B or O-1).
- Bank Statements: Used to prove financial support, though often only the transactional text requires formal translation.
Do Not Provide Summaries
USCIS requires a word-for-word translation. You cannot submit a summary of the document, even if the original contains repetitive boilerplate text.