USCIS requires a wide range of documents to process immigration applications. For some, this includes translations of supporting documents such as marriage certificates.
While anyone can translate a document themselves, the best way to ensure USCIS accepts your translation is to work with an experienced professional translator or translation company. Here are a few things to look for.
Birth Certificate
When applying for a visa or attempting to become a naturalized citizen, USCIS will typically require the translation of your birth certificate. This is because the document contains important information about your identity and citizenship that needs to be translated into English. In addition, it contains a seal that shows the document was authenticated by the government agency responsible for it. In order to meet the requirements of USCIS, you need to ensure that your birth certificate translation is accurate and complete.
A professional translator will be able to provide a certified translation of your birth certificate that meets the requirements of USCIS. They will also make sure that the translation is readable and follows the same format as the original document. This will help to prevent any issues with the application process. In addition, a professional translation company will be able to produce your translated birth certificate quickly and efficiently.
Who Can Translate a Birth Certificate for Immigration?
As a general rule, you cannot translate your own personal documents for USCIS. This includes documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and police records. This is because you must be a disinterested party in the translation. Additionally, a translator must be fluent in both languages. Getting a friend or family member to translate your documents for you is unacceptable, even if they speak both languages.
You should look for a translation company that is certified by the American Translators Association (ATA). This certification indicates that the company has passed a rigorous review and that its translations are accurate. Furthermore, a reputable translation company will have experience working with USCIS and will know how to properly prepare your translation for submission.
Choosing a professional translator who understands USCIS requirements can save you time and money in the long run. A qualified translator will be able to provide a high-quality translation of your birth certificate that is guaranteed to be accepted by USCIS. This will speed up the process of obtaining a visa or becoming a citizen. It will also save you the hassle of resubmitting your documents because they do not comply with USCIS requirements.
Marriage Certificate
You may need to translate your marriage certificate if you are a foreign national who has recently married a United States citizen. You can obtain this translation through a professional translator or translation service. This is particularly true if you are applying for citizenship or a green card. It is important to use a professional service because USCIS requires the submission of certified translations for non-English documents. It is also crucial to verify that your translated document meets all of the requirements set forth by USCIS.
A USCIS-accepted translation must be typed and follow the same format as the original document. Additionally, it must be signed by the translator and contain a certification statement. This is a document that explains that the translation has been reviewed and proofread by a second person for accuracy. A certified translation must be a literal (word-for-word) translation of all visible text in the document. A certified translator must write it, and it should be signed and stamped with the translation company’s letterhead.
Choosing the right LSP for your translation needs is critical. Selecting an LSP with experience in the translations required for USCIS and other government agencies is important. You should also ask about the LSP’s track record with these particular kinds of translations. If possible, look for an LSP with a 100% acceptance rate for these types of translations.
When looking for a translation service that provides a USCIS-accepted translation, choose one with translators who are native speakers of the target language. Selecting a translation service that understands the importance of providing a high-quality, accurate, and complete translation is also important. The translation services should also provide a quick turnaround time so that you can submit your documents in a timely manner. In addition, the translation services should be able to provide a notarized copy of your translated document if necessary. This is a requirement for most government agencies, including USCIS. It is a good idea to consult with an immigration attorney before selecting an LSP.
Divorce Decree
In situations where one or both of the parties in a divorce are from a foreign country, it may be necessary to translate their divorce decree into the language of the foreign jurisdiction for legal proceedings. This can be particularly important if the foreign jurisdiction has different laws regarding spousal support, custody, visitation, and property questions than the United States.
When translating a divorce decree, hiring a translation service with extensive experience with legal documents is essential. The translators must be fully fluent in the foreign and English languages and thoroughly understand the nuances and complexities of legal terminology. They should also be familiar with the laws and regulations governing international divorce proceedings.
In addition, the translators should be able to accurately preserve the original document’s formatting. This includes maintaining the same headings, numbering, and formatting as the original to ensure that the translated document is clear and easy to read. Finally, the translator should be able to clearly clarify any ambiguous language within the document.
USCIS handles a wide range of immigration matters and requires accurate, certified translations of all personal documents submitted to them. Working with a translation service that specializes in USCIS-compliant translations will help ensure that your documents are accurate and meet all the requirements of USCIS.
While online translation tools are available, these services typically provide uncertified translations that do not meet USCIS requirements. The best way to ensure that USCIS accepts your translation is to work with a professional translation service like GTS. Our team of expert translators is familiar with USCIS requirements and can accurately translate your documents into English. Contact us today to get started with your translation project! We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to all new customers. This allows us to understand your needs and provide you with a quote for your project. If you need your documents translated in a rush, we can expedite your order. This means your documents will be ready much sooner than if you work with a general online translation tool.
Certificate of Good Conduct
If you are submitting any documents to USCIS that have been originally written in a foreign language, they must be accompanied by full English translations. These translated documents must be certified by a professional translator to ensure that they are accurate, complete, and match the original document’s format as closely as possible. A certified translation for USCIS includes the original foreign language document and the English translation, along with a signature by the translator attesting to the accuracy of the translation. This attestation is necessary to ensure that the information in the translated document is accepted by USCIS officials and meets their standards.
A certified translation for USCIS should include any elements that are present on the original document, including dashes, stamps, and signatures. In addition, the document must be clearly legible. The translations must also be in the same format as the original, meaning that if the original document has an official seal, the translated copy should also have a seal. In addition, the translator must sign the certified translation to indicate that they are a professional and that the translation is accurate.
While it is possible to translate your own documents for use with USCIS, this is not recommended. Translating your documents can lead to inaccuracies and misinterpretations, making your application more difficult or even impossible to process. Instead, you should hire a professional translation service to handle your translation needs. A good translation service will have a team of professional translators who are experienced in translating for immigration purposes and can provide you with accurate, high-quality translations that meet USCIS requirements.
When choosing a translation service, it is important to find one that specializes in immigration and USCIS documents. This way, you can be sure that your documents will be accurate and ready for submission to USCIS. You should also consider a translation service that offers online services, as this can make it easier for you to work with the company from home or another convenient location. This can save you money and time, as you won’t have to travel or spend a lot of energy on the translation process.
