For a green card or other immigration benefits, you may have to present documents that are not in English. If yes, those documents will have to be translated into English. But does it need to be translated by a translator of professional caliber? So here’s what you need to know.
What Makes a Translation “Certified”?
Make sure to have the translation certified by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), the translation has to be “certified”. That is, the translator must certify, in writing, that they have been appointed to translate the text and that the translation is correct. This certificate will normally be accompanied by a translator’s letter that will need to say the following:
- Competency of the Translator: The translator should specify that they are fluent in English and the language of the original document.
- Veracity of Translation: The translator should prove that he translated the text exactly and fully as far as he was able to.
Details Needed in the Certification Letter.
In addition to the verification of their qualifications and correctness, the translator’s letter must contain the following:
- Name: Name of translator to translate.
- Address: The translator’s contact address.
- Signature: The translator has to sign the letter to guarantee its authenticity.
- Month: The month when the certification letter was produced.
This letter should be submitted along with the translated document on your green card or visa application. You will also have to send photocopies of the original, untranslated files.
Do I Need a Professional Translator?
Even if you don’t need to use a translator, be sure that the person translating the text is conversant in the original language as well as English. Some people prefer to enlist the services of a professional translator to make the job run smoothly, particularly in the case of technical documents. But all that matters is that the translation has to be true and with the certification letter as described above.
The answer is no, you do not require a translation service provider, but the translation should be genuine and licensed. The translator must speak both languages and send you a signed statement stating that the translation is correct.
Be sure to attach both the certification letter and a copy of the original document when applying. You can find guidance from reliable sources such as Law and Visas regarding how to make sure that your documents satisfy all USCIS needs for more information on document translation for USCIS.
