What Is a USCIS-Certified Translation? Complete Guide

If you're preparing an immigration application for USCIS, you've almost certainly come across the requirement for certified translations of your foreign-language documents. But what exactly makes a translation "certified," and how do you make sure yours will be accepted?

This guide covers everything you need to know.

What Does USCIS Require?

According to USCIS regulations (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)):

"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."

In plain English: every foreign-language document you submit must include an English translation, and that translation must be accompanied by a signed statement from the translator certifying:

1. They are competent to translate from that language into English
2. The translation is complete and accurate

What Does NOT Qualify as a Certified Translation

Many applicants make the mistake of assuming any translation will do. Here are things that do not meet USCIS requirements:

• Google Translate or DeepL output — machine translation with no human review or certification is not accepted
• A bilingual friend's translation — unless that person is a professional translator who signs a certification statement
• Notarized translations without a certification statement — notarization alone does not make a translation "certified" in the USCIS sense
• Summaries — the translation must be complete, not a summary or paraphrase

What Qualifies as a Certified Translation

A USCIS-compliant certified translation includes:

1. The full English translation of the original document — every word, including stamps, seals, and marginalia
2. A signed certification statement from the translator that states:
   • Their name and credentials
   • That they are competent to translate from Spanish to English
   • That the translation is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge
3. Contact information for the translator or translation company

Which Documents Need Certified Translations?

For immigration purposes, virtually any document in a foreign language requires a certified translation when submitted to USCIS. Common examples include:

• Birth certificates — required for nearly all family-based immigration petitions
• Marriage certificates — required for spousal visas (I-130, K-1)
• Divorce decrees — required to prove termination of prior marriages
• Police records — required for adjustment of status applications
• Diplomas and transcripts — required for employment-based petitions (EB-2, EB-3)
• Death certificates — required for survivor petitions
• Adoption certificates — required for international adoption petitions

Do I Need a Notarized Translation?

USCIS does not require notarized translations. A signed certification statement from a competent translator is sufficient. However, some other government agencies or courts may require notarization — always check the specific requirements of the agency you're submitting to.

How Long Does a Certified Translation Take?

At SpanishCertified.com, standard certified translations are delivered within 2–3 business days. Rush processing (24 hours) is available for an additional fee.

How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost?

The industry standard ranges from $20 to $60 per page. At SpanishCertified.com, we charge $24.99 per page for standard translations, with a flat $15 rush fee for 24-hour turnaround.

A typical birth certificate is 1 page and costs $24.99. A multi-page divorce decree might be 3–5 pages, costing $74.97–$124.95.

Why Choose SpanishCertified.com?

We specialize exclusively in Spanish-to-English translations for immigration documents. Our process:

1. You upload your document (PDF, JPG, PNG)
2. We translate using a combination of AI-assisted drafting and professional human review
3. You receive a formatted, certified PDF via email — ready to submit to USCIS

All translations include the required USCIS certification statement and are delivered as professionally formatted PDFs.

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Ready to get started? Order your certified translation now — starting at $24.99/page.