When it comes to U.S. immigration, most people know they’ll need to submit a mountain of paperwork to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). What many people don’t realize, however, is just how many of those documents must be officially translated into English – and how surprisingly wide-ranging they are. From vaccination records to high school diplomas, here’s a look at some surprising document translations needed by USCIS.
Eight Surprising Document Translations You Need for USCIS
1. Vaccination Records and Immunization Certificates
Unless you’re undergoing the medical examination required for certain visa types or status adjustments, it’s easy to overlook these. Many immigrants bring their childhood or regional vaccination cards in their native language. However, the civil surgeon and USCIS require these records to be translated into English to verify compliance with public health records.
Tip: Even handwritten vaccine records from overseas clinics must be professionally translated and include the translator’s certification.
2. Bank Letters and Financial Statements
If you’re sponsoring someone for immigration or showing proof of your own self-sufficiency, you may need to include foreign bank documents. Whether it’s monthly statements, account summaries, or official letters verifying your account balances, they all must be precisely translated.
Why it matters: USCIS uses these documents to determine whether a sponsor or applicant meets the financial requirements.
3. Military Discharge Papers
Another document translation many find surprising is military discharge papers. Many immigrants served in the military in their home country, and USCIS may request records to assess asylum claims, character, or service equivalency for U.S. naturalization benefits.
Surprise factor: Even standard-issue discharge forms or medals of recognition may require English translations.
4. Court Documents (Even for Dropped Charges)
USCIS requires certified translations of all legal documents, including arrest records, court judgments, or expungement orders. This means that any interaction with a foreign court system must be reported and documented in immigration filings, even if charges were dropped or the case was dismissed.
Common misunderstanding: Many assume they don’t need to report non-convictions, but USCIS requires full disclosure.
5. Affidavits from Family or Community Members
Surprising document translations also include sworn affidavits from relatives and friends. These supporting documents are often used in family petitions, hardship waivers, and asylum applications. When those letters are written in a language other than English, USCIS requires them to be translated and certified.
Use case: A heartfelt note from an overseas spouse in support of your petition must be professionally translated.
6. Religious or Tribal Marriage Certificates
U.S. marriage certificates are standardized, but many marriages abroad are documented in religious or tribal records. These documents are sometimes handwritten or issued by a village elder or cleric. While these non-government certificates are accepted by USCIS, they must be translated into English for validation.
Be aware: Even engagement or dowry agreements may be required for family-based petitions.
7. Academic Diplomas and Transcripts
These documents are commonly expected for employment-based immigration or student visas, and their translations must also be up to USCIS standards. Many applicants are surprised to learn that documents like their high school diplomas or grade sheets from decades ago are required, and that every subject and grade must be translated.
Don’t skip the details: Even the back of a diploma with grading scales or seals must be properly translated.
8. Birth and Death Certificates from Long-Deceased Relatives
In family-based petitions, proving lineage or relationship sometimes means submitting documents related to parents or grandparents. This can mean including birth or death records from the 1940s or earlier. Even when these documents are faded or handwritten, USCIS still expects a clear, certified English translation.
Challenge: Translators often need to decipher outdated formatting or archaic language, which makes using a certified professional translator crucial.
Turn to The Perfect Translation for all Your USCIS Documents
When it comes to USCIS, every single document in a foreign language must be translated and certified. Whether it’s a church-issued marriage certificate, a childhood vaccine log, or a long-forgotten court document, be prepared to gather, translate, and submit it correctly.
Working with The Perfect Translation can save you time, prevent rejections, and smooth your way through the immigration process. Our team of experts has the experience and linguistic expertise to ensure your routine and surprising documents are accurately translated and legally valid. We even offer a 100% guarantee that our certified translations will be accepted by USCIS. Contact us today for a free quote.
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