Certified Translation for Immigration

Certified Translation for Immigration — USCIS Accepted

Updated: April 2026 · Written by the Apostilla Antecedentes team

USCIS-compliant certified translations for green card, naturalization, and all immigration applications. Every foreign-language document translated, certified, and delivered in 1–2 business days.

  • Meets USCIS 8 CFR 103.2 requirements
  • Green card, naturalization, US visas
  • 1–2 business day turnaround
  • Rush 24-hour delivery available
Laura Chen
Reviewed byLaura ChenLegal Document Expert

What translation do you need?

Step 1 of 4

What type of document do you need translated?

Certified translation for USCIS: what the law requires

Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), USCIS requires that every foreign-language document submitted with any immigration petition or application be accompanied by a complete English translation — certified as accurate and complete by a competent translator. This applies to:

  • Form I-485 (green card / adjustment of status) — birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, foreign court records
  • Form N-400 (naturalization) — foreign-language documentation supporting residence history, name changes, marital status
  • Form I-130, I-140, I-526 (family and employment petitions) — all supporting foreign-language documents
  • US consular interviews abroad — foreign documents presented to the consular officer

We prepare each certification against the requirements USCIS publishes: the translator's statement of accuracy, name, credentials, signature, and date. Final acceptance remains with USCIS.

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is an official translation of a document accompanied by a certification statement signed by the translator. The statement declares that the translation is accurate, complete, and was performed by a qualified professional.

Certification is required — not optional — when submitting foreign-language documents to:

  • USCIS — all foreign documents in immigration applications (required under 8 CFR 103.2)
  • Spanish immigration authorities — consulates, Ministry of Interior, immigration offices
  • Courts and notaries — legal proceedings, probate, adoption, and court submissions
  • Universities — credential evaluation, admissions, and professional licensing
  • Government agencies — Social Security, vital records offices, and professional boards

A plain or uncertified translation — even a high-quality one — will be rejected by these authorities. The certification statement is what converts a translation into an official document.

Who needs this service?

🛂 USCIS and immigration applicants

USCIS requires certified translations for all foreign-language documents (8 CFR 103.2). Birth certificates, police certificates, marriage records, and diplomas must be certified. We prepare translations against the requirements USCIS publishes; final acceptance remains with USCIS.

🇪🇸 Spain visa and residency applicants

Spain requires certified translations by sworn translators for immigration submissions where applicable. We check whether the specific filing or Spanish consulate requires a certified, sworn or other authorised translation format; final acceptance remains with the receiving authority.

🎓 Academic credential applicants

Universities and professional licensing boards (medical, legal, engineering) require certified translations of diplomas and transcripts. We translate educational documents for equivalency and licensing applications.

Required documents

DocumentIssuing authorityEstimated timeNotes
Original document (scan or physical) Applicant At order placement A clear, legible scan is sufficient for most translations. Physical originals required only when notarization of the original is also needed.
Certified translation Qualified translator 1–2 business days Includes translator certification statement with credentials, signature, and date. We prepare it against the requirements published by the receiving body — USCIS, Spanish authorities, or the specific office you identify.
Certification statement Translator Included with translation Attests that the translation is accurate and complete. Required by USCIS (8 CFR 103.2); other bodies follow their own published requirements — check the receiving authority.
Notarization (if required) Notary public +1 business day Some courts and registries require notarization in addition to certification. We can arrange notarization where required.

How the process works

1

Upload a clear scan of the document you need translated through our contact form or by email. We review it immediately and confirm the scope, timeline, and price — no surprises.

2

A certified translator with subject-matter expertise prepares your translation. Legal documents go to legal translators; immigration documents to immigration specialists.

3

Every translation goes through a second reviewer before the certification statement is attached. The certification includes translator credentials, signature, and date — meeting USCIS and international standards.

4

Receive your certified translation by email (PDF) within 1–2 business days. Physical copies with notarization can be shipped by tracked courier when required.

Certified vs. sworn vs. notarized translation

📜 Certified translation Translation + signed certification statement. Recognised for USCIS filings in the format 8 CFR 103.2 requires; other jurisdictions follow their own published rules. The standard for most immigration and official purposes.
⚖️ Sworn translation (Spain) In Spain, "jurado" (sworn) translators are officially accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their translations carry legal weight equivalent to an official document — required for Spanish immigration.
🔏 Notarized translation A certified translation where a notary public also witnesses and stamps the translator's signature. Required for court filings, probate, and some corporate transactions. We can arrange when needed.

Example scenarios

Illustrative examples based on common situations; names and details are changed.

DM
Democratic Memory Law – Name Typo

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

An applicant for Spanish citizenship under the Democratic Memory Law had their mother's 40-year-old US Naturalization Certificate rejected because of a minor spelling error in her first name.

We solved it…

The applicant had to petition USCIS for a formal name correction, which can take months, and request an extension from the Spanish consulate.

Result

In this example, the fix is to correct the name through USCIS so the Spanish citizenship application can resume.

DM
Deferred Master's – Expired FBI Check

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

A student deferred their Spanish master's program for a year and tried to reuse their previously apostilled FBI background check for the new visa application.

We solved it…

The consulate rejected it because the underlying criminal record check is only valid for 5 to 6 months from its original date of issuance.

Result

In this example, the fix is to obtain a new FBI check for the student visa application for the following year.

FF
FBI Fingerprint Card – Translation Required

from USA to Spain

Apostille
The problem was…

An applicant submitted an apostilled and translated FBI background check to the Spanish consulate, but it was rejected for missing a translation of the physical fingerprint card itself.

We solved it…

The applicant had to hire a sworn translator to translate the English text on the standard FBI FD-258 fingerprint card to meet the consulate's translation checklist.

Result

In this example, the refile would include a translation of the fingerprint card; some consulates require it.

View all cases →

Official sources & authorities

Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.

USCIS — Translation Requirements (8 CFR 103.2) USCIS requires that all foreign-language documents submitted with applications be accompanied by a full English translation certified as accurate by a competent translator. View source →
ATA — American Translators Association Professional standards for certified translation in the United States. View source →
Spain Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Sworn Translators Spain's official registry of sworn translators recognized for immigration and legal document translation. View source →

Related guides

Guide
Certified vs. notarized translation: what you need to knowLaura Chen · 2026
→

Related services

🇪🇸Sworn translation for SpainSpain requires sworn (jurado) translators — here is what that means✈️Translation for visa applicationsTranslations for Spain, US, Schengen visa applications📋Criminal record translationCertified translation of background check certificates🌐All translation servicesFull hub of translation services by document and country
Laura Chen

Reviewed by

Laura Chen

Legal Document Expert

Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.

View full profile →

Frequently asked questions

What makes a translation "certified"?

A certified translation includes a signed statement from the translator (or agency) attesting that the translation is accurate, complete, and performed by a qualified professional. This certification statement — with the translator's name, credentials, signature, and date — is what authorities require when accepting foreign-language documents.

Is your certified translation accepted by USCIS?

We prepare our certifications against the requirements of 8 CFR 103.2, which states that any document not in English must be accompanied by "a full English 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 that language into English." Final acceptance of the filing remains with USCIS.

Do I need a notarized translation or just certified?

For most immigration applications (USCIS, Spain, Schengen), certified translation is sufficient. Notarization — where a notary witnesses the translator's signature — is required by some courts, probate proceedings, and corporate registries. We will tell you which is needed for your specific case.

Can I use a certified translation I already have?

If you already have a certified translation, some authorities accept it as long as it meets their specific format requirements. We can review your existing translation and advise whether it needs to be updated or replaced.

What languages do you translate from and into?

Our primary specialization is Spanish ↔ English. We also work with Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Mandarin, and other major languages. Contact us for less common language pairs.

How much does a certified translation cost?

Pricing starts at $49 per standard page (up to 250 words). Most single civil documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, diploma, criminal record) fall in the $49–$99 range. Complex legal documents are quoted individually. Rush delivery (+$25–$50) is available.

Laura Chen
Laura Chen Legal Document Expert
Online
|

Ready to get started?

Message us today for a free document review and guidance.