USCIS translation requirements

Published October 27, 2026

Any document you send to USCIS that contains a language other than English needs two things: a full English translation, and a statement from the translator, usually called the translator's certification, saying they are competent to translate from that language into English and that the translation is complete and accurate. The rule is in the regulations at 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). This page explains what that means in practice, who can translate, and how it works for chat messages. It is general information, not legal advice; the instructions for your form control.

What the translation must include

• A full translation. Every word of the document, including stamps, seals and handwritten notes, not a summary.
• The translator's certification. A short statement that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English and that the translation is complete and accurate, with the translator's name, signature, address and date.
• The original, or a copy of it, sent together with the translation.

Who can translate

The rule does not require a professional translator, an agency or a notary. It requires someone fluent in both languages who signs the statement. Many people use a bilingual friend or relative. Some lawyers advise against the petitioner or beneficiary translating their own documents, so that nobody can question the translation's neutrality; using someone outside the couple avoids the question.

A sample translator's statement

TRANSLATOR'S CERTIFICATION

I, [full name], certify that I am competent to translate from [language] into English, and that the attached English translation of [document, e.g. "the marriage certificate of Ana López and Daniel Reyes" / "the messages marked with an English line in Exhibit A, pages 3 to 22"] is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and ability.

Signature: ______________________
Name: [full name]
Address: [address]
Date: [date]

Chat messages in another language

Couples often write in two languages, so a chat exhibit has messages in Spanish, Portuguese or Tagalog mixed with English. Each foreign-language message needs its English translation, and the exhibit needs one statement from the translator covering all of them. Two things make this manageable:

1. Send a sample, not the whole chat. Translating twenty pages of messages is an afternoon; translating a two-year chat is not realistic.
2. Put the English directly under each message, so the reader sees both together, and have the statement name the pages it covers.

Proof of Relationship drafts the English for the messages in your sample, lets you check and correct every line, prints the English under each message, and adds a translator's statement page with the pages it covers, for the translator to sign. The drafts are machine translations; the person who signs is responsible for checking them.

Common questions

Does a USCIS translation need to be notarized?

The regulation asks for the translator's statement of competence and accuracy, not notarization. Check the instructions for your form and any specific request you received.

Can I translate my own documents for USCIS?

The rule asks for a competent translator and does not name who. Many advisers suggest someone other than the petitioner or beneficiary, so the translation's neutrality is not in question.

Do I need to translate every message in our chat?

Every foreign-language message you submit needs a translation. That is a strong reason to submit a dated sample of the chat rather than all of it.

Can I use Google Translate or another machine translation?

A machine draft can be a starting point, but a person fluent in both languages has to check it and sign the statement, and is responsible for its accuracy.

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