Certified vs Notarized Translation for USCIS

The Federal Standard: 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3)

For any immigration process in the United States, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that any document written in a foreign language be accompanied by a full English translation. According to federal regulation 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3), the translator must certify that they are competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

What is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation is a document that includes a signed statement by the translator or the translation agency. This statement, known as a Certificate of Accuracy, must comply with the following points:

• State that the translation is faithful and complete relative to the original.
• Certify the translator's competence in both languages.
• Include the signature, name, and contact information of the issuer.

It is essential that critical documents, such as birth certificates, strictly follow this format. For instance, if you are submitting a Dominican Republic long-form birth certificate, the certification must validate every seal and marginal notation of the original document.

When is Notarization Required?

Unlike certification, notarization does not validate the quality of the translation, but rather the identity of the person signing the certificate. A Notary Public witnesses the signature and applies their official seal.

While USCIS generally does not require translations to be notarized under current regulations, this requirement may be mandatory for:

• Procedures before U.S. consulates or embassies abroad.
• Judicial processes in state or federal courts.
• Apostille requests or international legalizations.

Key Procedural Differences

The main legal distinction lies in accountability. Certification is a guarantee of technical precision required by the USCIS Policy Manual. Notarization is an administrative act that confirms the authenticity of the translator’s signature before a state official. Confusing these terms can result in administrative delays or Requests for Evidence (RFE).

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