Certified Translation of Immigration Documents for Visas and Residency Worldwide

What Is Certified Translation for Immigration?

A certified translation for immigration is a complete translation of a foreign-language document, signed by a qualified translator who confirms that it is accurate and that they are competent in both languages. Every immigration authority asks for this, and each adds its own rules:

• USCIS wants the translator’s certification
• IRCC wants a certified translator’s stamp or an affidavit
• The UK Home Office wants the translator’s contact details
• Some Schengen consulates want a sworn translator

Officers don’t re-translate your documents; they rely on the certificate. Missing stamps, untranslated handwriting or an incomplete certificate lead to requests for more evidence, delays or refusals. The sections below set out what each authority requires.

Immigration Translation Requirements at a Glance

Translation for USCIS (United States)

USCIS requires a full English translation of every foreign-language document. It must come with the translator’s certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)). Notarization is not required, and you can submit copies of your documents with the translations unless USCIS asks for originals. For green card, naturalization and family petitions, our USCIS certified translation page lists the documents each form needs (I-130, I-485, N-400, I-751, K-1 and more).

Translation for NVC and US Consulates

For immigrant visas processed by the National Visa Center (NVC) and US embassies or consulates, every civil document that is not in English, or in the official language of the country where you’ll be interviewed, needs a certified translation. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that it is accurate and that the translator is competent to translate. You upload scans to the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), then bring the original or certified copies of your documents, with the translations, to the interview.

Translation for IRCC (Canada)

IRCC accepts documents in English or French only. Each translation must be stamped by a certified translator: a member in good standing of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad, whose stamp shows their membership number. If a certified translator isn’t available, the person who translated the document must swear an affidavit before a notary public or commissioner. Include a copy of the original document. IRCC doesn’t accept translations by the applicant’s family members, representatives or consultants. See our ATIO and STIBC certificate samples.

Translation for UK Visas (Home Office)

If a document is not in English or Welsh, the Home Office needs a full translation that it can verify independently. Each translation must contain:

• The translator’s confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of translation
• The translator’s full name and signature
• The translator’s contact details

There is no official register of translators in the UK, and notarization is not required for visa applications.

Translation for Schengen Visas

Each Schengen country sets its own rules, published in the document checklist of its consulate or visa application centre (such as VFS Global, TLScontact or BLS International). Many consulates accept documents in English. Others ask for a translation into their official language, and some require a sworn translator registered in that country. Check the checklist for the country you’re applying to, and tell us the consulate when you order so we can match its format.

Translation for Australian Visas (Home Affairs)

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs needs English translations of all non-English documents. If the translation is done in Australia, the translator must include their NAATI practitioner number. If it is done outside Australia, the translation must include the translator’s full name, address, phone number and qualifications.

Immigration Documents We Translate

Immigration documents mix legal terms, local record formats, stamps and handwritten notes, from a birth certificate to a CV for a work visa. They need a professional translator who knows how immigration officers read them. Don’t translate your own documents: most authorities expect an independent translator, and IRCC refuses translations by family members or representatives. See our visa application use case and employment relocation use case for how translations are prepared for embassies, consulates and employers.

Requirements vary from country to country, but after years of providing document translation services for USCIS, IRCC, the UK Home Office and consulates worldwide, we know which supporting documents immigration applicants most often need translated:

• Birth certificates. Required for almost every family, residence and citizenship application. They confirm the identity and citizenship of the applicant and family members. All text, official stamps, seals, registrar signatures and handwritten notes must be translated.
• Marriage certificates. Required for spouse and partner visas (such as the US I-130 and K-1, the UK spouse visa and Canadian spousal sponsorship), adjustment of status and naturalization. This includes religious and civil marriage records, domestic partnership certificates and foreign marriage registrations.
• Divorce decrees and dissolution records. Required when the applicant or the sponsor was married before. Every page is translated, including the final judgment wording, the parties’ names and the dates.
• Police clearances and criminal records. Required for US green cards, Canadian and Australian permanent residence, many work visas and naturalization. All offense descriptions, case outcomes and official stamps are translated.
• Academic transcripts and diplomas. Required for student visas, skilled-work visas such as the US H-1B, US EB-2 NIW petitions and Canadian Express Entry credential assessments. This covers high school and university documents from every country.
• Bank statements, employment letters and tax records. Required to prove funds and employment for visitor, student, work and family visas, such as the US I-864 Affidavit of Support, the UK financial requirement or proof of means for a Schengen visa.
• Passports, national ID cards and travel documents. Required for identity checks. We translate the data pages, visa pages and any entry or exit stamps the authority asks for.
• Vaccination and immunization records. Required for the US green card medical exam (I-485) and by some other countries for residence applications.
• Adoption papers. Required when a child is included in an immigration application. We translate all adoption documents, court orders and agency records. Some authorities require a notarized translation of adoption records, so confirm the requirement before you order.
• Death certificates. Required for widow(er) petitions, inheritance-related immigration matters and some family sponsorship categories.

Certified Immigration Translation Prices

Certified immigration translations are priced per page, and include professional human translation, accurate formatting, and a signed certificate of accuracy. Pricing depends on language, document type, and urgency. Volume discounts apply when ordering multiple documents together, and TheWordPoint provides a fixed quote before the translation begins.

Standard delivery: 24 hours for most single-page documents. Same-day delivery adds 25–50%.

Package tip: most visa and residence applications need 3–6 documents translated. Ordering them together gives you a volume discount and keeps names and formatting consistent across the package.

See all translation prices

Why Do Immigration Offices Reject Translations?

Officers compare the translation with the original. If something is missing, USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (usually with 87 days to respond), and other authorities ask for new documents or refuse the application. The most common translation problems are:

• Missing certification statement — the certificate of accuracy must include the translator's full name, contact information, date, and signed attestation. Our translations include this by default.
• Untranslated stamps, seals, or handwritten text — immigration offices expect every element of the original document to be translated, not just printed text. We translate all stamps, official seal labels, and handwritten annotations.
• Formatting that does not correspond to the original — Officers compare the translation against the original document. Our translations mirror the structure and layout of the source document.
• Translation by the applicant or a relative. IRCC refuses these outright, and other authorities expect an independent translator.

TheWordPoint's two-stage review process — primary translation followed by independent review before certification — is specifically designed to prevent all of these issues. If USCIS or another immigration office returns your translation for a reason related to our work, we revise it at no cost or refund you.

Immigration and Residency Applications Document Translation Case Study

Immigration and residency applications through USCIS and other immigration authorities require precise certified translations of personal documents, civil records, and supporting materials. Each document must meet specific certification standards, and even minor errors in translation or formatting can result in Requests for Evidence (RFEs), processing delays, or application rejections. Our case study and knowledge base provide practical guidance drawn from thousands of successful immigration translation projects, clarifying exactly what USCIS and immigration offices require. Learn which documents need translation, what certification format is accepted, how to structure the Certificate of Accuracy, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you're applying for a green card, family-based visa, adjustment of status, or permanent residency, these resources help ensure translations that immigration offices accept the first time.

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How Immigration Document Translation Works

Immigration translations follow stricter rules than everyday translation: every stamp, seal and handwritten note is translated, names match your passport, and the certificate meets the receiving authority’s format. For US applications, our USCIS certified translation page explains the exact requirements. Here is how an order works:

• Upload your document. Submit a clear scan or photo through our secure order form. All file formats accepted. Stamps, seals, and handwritten content must be fully visible in the scan — immigration offices expect these to be translated.
• Fixed price and turnaround confirmed. We review your document and confirm an exact, fixed price and delivery time within minutes. No hidden fees. Rush options confirmed at this stage if needed.
• Immigration specialist translator assigned. Your document is matched to a certified translator with experience in immigration documents and your specific language pair. All translators hold ATA, BDÜ, NAJIT, or equivalent certification.
• Complete translation including all document elements. The translator produces a full translation of all text, stamps, seals, and handwritten annotations. A second independent reviewer checks accuracy, completeness and compliance with the authority’s requirements.
• Certified delivery. Your certified translation is delivered as a PDF within 24 hours. The signed certificate of accuracy — formatted for the authority you name (USCIS, NVC, IRCC, the Home Office or a consulate) — is attached.

What Languages We Translate for Immigration

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Reviewed and updated  on October 11, 2026, by

Christakis Christodoulou,
Managing Director
Head of the Certified Translation Department