If your supporting documents are in a foreign language, U.S. government agencies—including the Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—require certified English translations for all non-English materials submitted with applications. This applies to passports, green cards, naturalization, and other immigration-related filings. The translator must formally certify their competence and the accuracy of the translation, though notarization requirements vary by agency and document type.

Key findings from the sources:

• Certified translations are mandatory for all foreign-language documents, including birth certificates, marriage records, and academic transcripts ^[1][4][9]
• Translators must provide a signed certification stating their qualifications and the translation’s completeness, but notarization is only required for passport applications in most cases ^[2][6]
• The entire document must be translated, including signatures, seals, and stamps—omissions can cause processing delays ^[6][9]
• Costs typically range from $20–$40 per page, with professional services recommended to avoid rejections ^[9]

Translation Requirements for Foreign-Language Documents

Certified Translation Standards and Process

All foreign-language documents submitted to U.S. agencies must include a certified English translation, regardless of the application type (passport, green card, naturalization, etc.). The certification is a formal statement by the translator confirming their fluency in both languages and the accuracy of the translation. This requirement applies to every page of the original document, including signatures, stamps, and seals—even if portions appear illegible ^[6][9].

The certification must include:

• A statement that the translator is competent to translate from the source language to English ^[1][8]
• The translator’s printed name, signature, and date ^[9]
• A declaration that the translation is complete and accurate ^[6]
• The translator’s contact information (optional but recommended for verification) ^[9]

Who can translate?

• Professional translation services are strongly advised, as USCIS may reject poorly translated documents ^[4][9]
• Non-professionals (e.g., friends or family) can translate only if they certify their competence and are not the applicant or petitioner ^[5][9]
• Notarization is not universally required, but passport applications often mandate it ^[2][6]

• Average cost: $20–$40 per page ^[9]
• Expedited services may incur higher fees (e.g., 24-hour turnaround) ^[9]
• Free or low-cost options (e.g., community organizations) may lack USCIS-accepted certification ^[9]

Agency-Specific Requirements and Exceptions

Different U.S. agencies enforce distinct rules for translated documents, particularly regarding notarization, document types, and submission formats. Below are the key distinctions:

U.S. Department of State (Passport Applications)

• Notarization is required for most passport applications when submitting translated documents ^[2]
• Emergency situations may allow scanned certified translations without notarization, but this is rare and case-specific ^[2]
• Evidence of citizenship (e.g., foreign birth certificates) must be translated if not in English, with the original document also submitted ^[2][7]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

• Notarization is not required for translations submitted within the U.S., but certification is mandatory ^[6][9]
• Exceptions for passports: If the passport is primarily in a foreign language, only the biographic page, photo page, and visa stamps require translation ^[4]
• Family-based petitions (e.g., marriage or birth certificates) must include full translations, even for partial documents ^[4][5]
• Academic/professional records (e.g., diplomas, employment letters) need translations if submitted as evidence ^[4]

Special Cases and Common Pitfalls

• Illegible text: Translators must note any unreadable sections in the original document ^[6]
• Abbreviated documents: Acceptable only if they contain all required information (e.g., names, dates, issuance details) ^[9]
• Non-English passports: While the entire passport need not be translated, critical pages (biographic data, visas) must be ^[4]
• Rejections due to poor translations: USCIS may delay or deny applications if translations are incomplete, inaccurate, or lack certification ^[4][9]

Where to get translations:

• USCIS-recommended services: RushTranslate, Legal Language Services ^[4][9]
• Local options: Court-approved translators, embassy-referred services ^[1]
• Avoid: Machine translations (e.g., Google Translate) or uncertified individuals ^[9]