Immunization records for Form I-693 medical examinations
During an adjustment of status proceeding toward lawful permanent residence (Form I-485), applicants must undergo an immigration medical examination conducted by a civil surgeon designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The physician evaluates vaccination history and records compliance on Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record).
To prove prior vaccinations received in the applicant’s home country and avoid unnecessary revaccination, foreign records are submitted to the civil surgeon. When these documents are in Spanish, CDC Technical Instructions place the responsibility on the applicant to provide reliable English translations, and federal regulation 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) requires a complete, certified translation for all documents filed with USCIS.
Vaccination requirements set by the CDC Technical Instructions
According to the CDC Technical Instructions, which apply INA § 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) and ACIP recommendations, vaccines required according to the applicant’s age include:
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP, DTaP, DT, Td, or Tdap).
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
- Polio (inactivated polio vaccine IPV or oral polio vaccine OPV).
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
- Varicella.
- Pneumococcal (conjugate PCV or polysaccharide PPSV).
- Rotavirus (pediatric age schedules).
- Meningococcal.
- Influenza (during the seasonal influenza period).
Translation mandate under 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3)
Federal regulation 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) provides that any foreign-language document submitted for an immigration proceeding must be accompanied by a full English language translation. The translator must formally certify competence to translate from Spanish into English and confirm that the translation is complete and accurate.
On documents such as the Cartilla Nacional de Salud issued under the authority of Mexico’s Ministry of Health (Secretaría de Salud), Expanded Program on Immunization (PAI) cards in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, or Venezuela, or ministry records across Central America, a complete translation includes:
- Biological formulations and abbreviations: Descriptive vaccine names are translated into English while preserving source acronyms.
- Administration dates: Dates are reproduced following the exact order of the source document.
- Lot numbers and manufacturers: Legible lot numbers and manufacturers are transcribed with precision.
- Health center stamps: Official provider seals are identified within brackets in English, such as [health clinic seal] or [illegible seal].
At Fidelis, we provide certified translations in strict mirror format under the individual certification and signature of Jorge Cardona, enabling civil surgeons to accurately transcribe prior immunization histories onto Form I-693.