Which documents to translate for USCIS, form by form

Every document in Spanish that you file with USCIS must come with a full English translation and the translator’s signed certification. The instructions for Forms I-130, I-485, I-751 and N-400 say it in the same words. What changes from one form to another is which documents are required, and this checklist summarizes them as the official instructions list them.

Use it to review your packet before you send it. It does not replace your form’s instructions or your attorney’s advice: each case may call for more.

What applies to every form

The rule is in 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3). The translation must be complete: not a summary, but everything legible on the document, including stamps, signatures, margin notes and the back. The translator certifies two things: that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from Spanish into English.

If you are gathering several documents, translate them together. That way names, dates and places are spelled the same way in every translation.

Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)

The I-130 instructions require proof of the family relationship. Depending on the relative, that means:

• Spouse: the marriage certificate and, if either of you was married before, the document that ended each prior marriage: the divorce decree or certificate, the annulment, or the death certificate.
• Son or daughter: the child’s birth certificate showing the mother’s name or both parents’ names. If the petitioner is the father, also the marriage certificate to the child’s mother and proof that the parents’ prior marriages ended, if any.
• Mother or father: the petitioner’s birth certificate showing the parents’ names. When petitioning for a father, also the parents’ marriage certificate.
• Brother or sister: both birth certificates, showing at least one parent in common. If you share only a father, also the father’s marriage certificates to each mother.
• Adoption: the adoption decree.
• Name change: the legal document that changed it, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

In a marriage-based petition, the I-130 also asks for evidence that the marriage is genuine, such as joint leases or joint accounts. If any of it is in Spanish, it is translated too.

Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

The I-485 instructions call for, among other documents:

• The birth certificate issued by the civil authority of your country, listing at least one parent. The instructions point to the State Department Reciprocity Schedule to find out which certificate each country issues.
• The marriage certificate and relationship documents if you file as the spouse or child of the principal applicant, together with proof that prior marriages ended, usually a divorce decree or certificate or a death certificate.
• Certified police and court records of any arrest, charge or conviction, in any country. For example, the arrest report and the final disposition of the case.

If a document does not exist, such as a birth certificate that was never issued, the instructions allow other evidence. That evidence is translated too.

Form I-751 (Removing Conditions on Residence)

The I-751 instructions ask for evidence that the marriage was entered in good faith. Among the documents that are often in Spanish:

• Birth certificates of children born during the marriage.
• The divorce or annulment decree, if you file on your own because the marriage ended.
• The spouse’s death certificate, if you file on your own because your spouse died.
• Police or court records of any arrest, in the United States or abroad, with the disposition.

Shared-life documents (leases, accounts, insurance) are usually in English. If any was issued in your home country, it is translated like the rest.

Form N-400 (Naturalization)

The N-400 instructions call for documents in these situations:

• Name change: if your name changed after birth, the document that changed it, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.
• If you naturalize through marriage to a U.S. citizen: the current marriage certificate and the divorce decree, annulment or death certificate for prior marriages, yours and your spouse’s.
• Criminal history: if you were ever arrested or charged, in any country, the arrest reports, charging documents and court dispositions.

Before you send us your documents

List each document and the form you need it for. Send every page, front and back, as legible photos or scans. If a document has handwritten margin notes, add a close-up photo of that area.

For the certification letter, you can use our free generator if someone else is doing the translation. If you would rather have us do it, our certified translation for USCIS includes the signed certification. And if your document comes from a specific country, check our country guides.

Official source

Review the applicable federal requirement directly at 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) on eCFR .

Fidelis Certified Translations is an independent translation service and is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by USCIS or any U.S. government agency. Final acceptance of any document rests solely with the receiving agency or institution.