10 Documents That Commonly Require Certified Translation
Certified Translation Tips2 min read
If a document was issued outside the US and you need to submit it to a US institution — school, employer, or government agency — there's a good chance it needs a certified translation. Here are ten of the documents we're asked to translate most often, and why each one typically needs it.
The List
1.Birth certificates
The most commonly translated document on this list — needed for nearly every immigration filing, school enrollment, and many government applications.
2.Marriage certificates
Required for spousal immigration petitions, name changes, and benefits applications where marital status needs to be established.
3.Divorce decrees and annulment records
Needed whenever a prior marriage has to be shown as legally terminated, most often alongside a new marriage-based filing.
4.Death certificates
Used to establish widowhood status, settle an estate, or close out a terminated marriage when a spouse has passed away.
5.Diplomas and academic transcripts
Needed for university admissions, credential evaluation services, and some employment-based visa categories.
6.Driver's licenses and national ID cards
Sometimes required as supporting identity evidence, particularly when a foreign ID is the only government-issued document available.
7.Police and court clearance certificates
Required for many immigration categories to establish criminal history (or the absence of one) in a home country.
8.Adoption papers
Needed for immigration of an adopted child and, later, naturalization or citizenship filings.
9.Powers of attorney and legal affidavits
Needed whenever a foreign-language legal instrument has to be understood and acted on by a US institution.
10.Medical records
Sometimes required for immigration medical exams, insurance claims, or continuing care when a patient relocates.
Filing With USCIS Specifically?
If you're assembling documents for an I-130 or I-485 filing, there's a checklist specific to those two forms, and a guide to what USCIS legally requires from any translation you submit.
Certified Translation for I-130 and I-485 Filings →What USCIS Requires From a Certified Translation →
Frequently asked questions
Does every foreign-language document need a certified translation?
Not automatically — it depends on where you're submitting it and what that institution requires. Many government agencies, schools, and employers require certified translation for any foreign-language document, but it's worth confirming with the specific receiving institution if you're unsure.
What if my document has both English and another language on it?
It can still need a translation for the non-English portions. Treating a partially English document as “close enough” is a common mistake.
Can I translate these documents myself?
Some institutions allow it, but many — including USCIS — permit self-translation while viewing it with more scrutiny than an independent professional translation.
Do these documents need to be notarized too?
Not usually. Certification and notarization are different things, and notarization is only needed where an institution specifically asks for it.
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