If you send USCIS a document that contains a foreign language, the regulation requires a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate. The translator must also certify that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. USCIS form instructions add what the certification should contain: the translator's signature, printed name, the signature date, and contact information.
What the regulation says
The rule is in 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), on the eCFR. It reads: "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."
That sentence has three parts:
- A full English translation of the document.
- The translator's certification that the translation is complete and accurate.
- The translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
The text we read on the eCFR was the version in effect on October 1, 2026. It applies to "any document containing foreign language." Documents already in English are not covered by this sentence.
How USCIS restates it for filers
USCIS's Tips for Filing Forms by Mail puts it in plain terms: "Supporting documents must be in English or accompanied by a complete English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate. The English translation must be accompanied by the translator's certification that they are competent to translate the foreign language into English."
The same page says to submit "legible copies of official documents" and not to "send original documents unless they are specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations."
What the certification should contain
The regulation does not list the contents of the certification beyond the two statements above. Form instructions fill in more. The instructions for Form I-485, Form I-765 and Form N-400 all say: "The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must also include the translator's signature, printed name, the signature date, and the translator's contact information."
So, for those forms, a certification covers:
- A statement that the English translation is complete and accurate.
- A statement that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
- The translator's signature.
- The translator's printed name.
- The date of the signature.
- The translator's contact information.
Other forms have their own instructions. Read the instructions for the form you are filing, since a different form may word this differently.
What the official text does not say
People often ask three things. In the regulation, the Tips for Filing Forms by Mail page, and the I-485, I-765 and N-400 instructions that we read, the answer to each is that the text does not address it.
- Notarization. None of these texts mentions notarizing a translation or a certification.
- Who may translate. The texts require that the translator certify competence. They do not list who qualifies, and they do not say whether a person who is not a professional may translate. They also do not say whether a family member or the applicant may translate.
- A required format or template. They list what the certification must include. They do not give a required wording or layout.
Because the texts are silent, this article takes no position. If you are unsure whether your translation meets the requirement, an immigration attorney or an accredited representative can advise on your case.
If USCIS asks for more
If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), the notice itself tells you what to send and where. See our article on what to do after an RFE and our RFE explainer tool. USCIS's mail-filing page says not to mail responses to an RFE to a Lockbox location and to follow the instructions in the RFE regarding where to send your response.
Common questions
Do I need to translate a document that is already in English?
The regulation applies to a document "containing foreign language." USCIS's mail-filing tips say supporting documents "must be in English or accompanied by a complete English translation."
Does a partial translation work?
The regulation and USCIS's tips both say a "full" or "complete" English translation, and the certification must say the translation is complete and accurate.
Does the translation have to be notarized?
The official texts we read do not mention notarization, so they neither require nor rule it out. Check the form instructions and any notice you received, or ask an attorney.
Can I translate my own documents?
The official texts we read require the translator to certify competence. They do not say who may or may not translate, so this article cannot say either way.
What must the certification include?
Under the regulation: that the translation is complete and accurate, and that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The I-485, I-765 and N-400 instructions add the translator's signature, printed name, signature date and contact information.
Official sources
- eCFR: 8 CFR 103.2, Submission and adjudication of benefit requests
- USCIS: Tips for Filing Forms by Mail
- USCIS: Instructions for Form I-485
- USCIS: Instructions for Form I-765
- USCIS: Instructions for Form N-400
GreenLight is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.