An immigration practice handles Spanish documents every day: birth and marriage records, divorce judgments, police reports, medical records. Each destination expects something different from the translation, and one of the deadlines that matters most changed in 2025. This guide collects what the current rules say, so your team orders the right translation in time.

Three destinations, three rules

USCIS. The general rule is 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3): every foreign-language document needs a full English translation that the translator certifies as complete and accurate, with a statement that the translator is competent to translate. No notary is required.

Immigration court. EOIR has its own rule, 8 CFR § 1003.33, and its practice manual adds detail. Chapter 2.3(a) of the manual asks that the certificate include the translator’s address and telephone number, and that it name each document when one certificate covers several. We cover it in depth in our immigration court translation certificate guide.

Asylum (I-589). The I-589 instructions, in the current edition dated July 28, 2026, require a full translation of every foreign-language document. They also ask that the certification include the translator’s signature, printed name, signature date and contact information.

One certificate can be written to satisfy all three at once. Tell us where each document is going and we prepare it that way.

The 30-day deadline is back in immigration court

In December 2021, EOIR had cut the default filing deadline for non-detained cases to 15 days. On February 14, 2025, it cancelled that change. Today, chapter 2.1(b)(2) of the manual says that in non-detained cases filings must be submitted at least 30 days before the hearing. In detained cases, the immigration judge sets the deadline.

Some pages still say 15 days, so check the calendar on every case. The same chapter warns that a late filing may be excluded or given less weight.

Plan backwards:

  1. Date of the individual hearing.
  2. Thirty days before: filing deadline.
  3. A few days before that: translations delivered, reviewed and paginated.
  4. Before that: the client gathers every document and sends us legible copies.

For 1 to 3 pages we deliver in 1–2 business days. For a large batch we confirm the timeline once we see the documents.

Florida state courts

Florida family and civil cases (divorce, paternity, child support) often involve foreign records and judgments. We reviewed the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration (July 1, 2026 edition) and the Family Law Rules of Procedure (October 1, 2026 edition). We found no single statewide rule on translating written documents. Rule 2.560 covers spoken-language interpreters.

What does exist is in the Evidence Code:

  • Section 90.606 treats an interpreter or translator as a witness, with an oath to give a true translation into English of any writing they must translate.
  • Section 90.902(3) requires a final certification for foreign official documents. That is an authentication question, separate from translation. We explain it in certified translation vs. apostille.

That is why many attorneys file the translation with a signed certificate and a copy of the original: it makes the foundation, or a stipulation between the parties, easier. It is practice, not a written rule. Confirm with the judge’s division what it expects.

How to prep an exhibit batch

  • Legible scans. The EOIR manual warns that illegible copies may be rejected or excluded from evidence. If a seal can’t be read, we mark it as illegible rather than guess; see how we translate illegible seals.
  • Every page. Back pages, seals and margin notes get translated too.
  • One name per document. That way the certificate identifies each exhibit and its page count.
  • Originals on hand. Bring them to the hearing or interview.

How we work with law firms

Jorge Cardona translates and signs, with a double review and verification. Each delivery is one PDF with the signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy, a translation that mirrors the original’s layout, and a copy of the original. It’s $29 for the first page and $25 for each additional page in the same order, up to 500 words per page. If the receiving office asks for a notary, notarization adds $30 per order. We invoice against a purchase order (PO) or matter number.

That per-page price is for your clients’ documents: certificates, judgments, case files and exhibits. For the firm’s own content, such as long contracts, client guides or monthly recurring work, we quote per word: from 9 cents a word, depending on volume, subject matter and deadline. You get a formal quote before we start. To see our work, we translate and certify the first 2 pages of one real document free, once per business or institution. Request the free sample. See terms for law firms, businesses and institutions.

Sources

Fidelis Certified Translations is an independent translation service. It is not affiliated with USCIS, EOIR or any U.S. government agency. This content is for information only and is not legal advice.

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