Official documents presented to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that are not in English must be accompanied by a precise rendering into English, along with assurance that the translation is complete and accurate. This assurance typically takes the form of a signed statement from the translator or translation agency, attesting to their competence and the veracity of their work. For example, if an applicant submits a birth certificate issued in Spanish, it must be paired with a corresponding English version accompanied by a declaration affirming its accuracy.
The necessity of accurate language conversion serves to ensure the USCIS has a clear and reliable understanding of an applicant’s supporting documentation. This enables efficient processing of applications and reduces the risk of misinterpretation or fraud. This requirement has evolved over time as immigration patterns have diversified and the need for standardized document processing has increased. Strict adherence to these standards is crucial for a smooth and successful immigration process.
