Certified Translation of Foreign Affidavits and Sworn Statements

What Is an Affidavit and When Does It Require Certified Translation?

An affidavit is a written statement of fact made voluntarily by a person (the affiant) and confirmed under oath or affirmation before a notary public or other authorized officer. Once sworn, an affidavit becomes a legal document — false statements in an affidavit can constitute perjury. Affidavits are used as evidence in court proceedings, as supporting documentation in administrative and immigration applications, and as formal attestations in civil and commercial matters.

A sworn statement or statutory declaration is a similar document — a written statement made under a formal declaration that its contents are true — used in jurisdictions where the oath form of an affidavit is not required.

When certified translation is required: Any foreign-language affidavit or sworn statement submitted to a US federal or state court, to USCIS, to immigration courts (EOIR), or to most US government agencies must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), USCIS requires certified translation for all foreign-language documents. Federal courts require it for all foreign documents submitted as evidence or exhibits.

Certified Translation, Sworn Translation, and Notarized Translation — Which Do You Need?

These three terms are used inconsistently across countries and legal systems. Understanding them prevents ordering the wrong service.

Certified translation (United States standard) A certified translation is a complete English translation of a document accompanied by a signed certificate of accuracy from a qualified translator. The certificate states the translator's name, credentials, and contact information, and attests that the translation is complete and accurate. This is what USCIS and US courts require. TheWordPoint provides certified translations as standard on all affidavit orders.

Sworn translation (European civil law standard) In Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, and many other civil law countries, courts require translations by a "sworn translator" — a translator who has been officially authorized by a court or government authority and has taken a judicial oath. These are called beeidete Übersetzer (Germany), traducteurs assermentés (France), traductores jurados (Spain/Latin America), or traduttori giurati (Italy). A US-style certified translation may or may not satisfy this requirement depending on the specific court and jurisdiction. If your document is being submitted to a European or Latin American court, confirm the specific requirement with the receiving institution before ordering.

Notarized translation. A notarized translation is a certified translation in which a notary public witnesses the translator's signature and attests to their identity. US courts and USCIS do not require notarization — they require certified translation. Notarization is available on request for proceedings that specifically require it.

Affidavit of translation accuracy. Some courts require the translator to submit a separate sworn affidavit attesting to their qualifications and the accuracy of their translation — going beyond a signed certificate to a notarized oath. This is distinct from translating an affidavit.

When You Need a Certified Affidavit Translation

US Court Proceedings​​​​​​. Foreign-language affidavits submitted as evidence or exhibits in US federal and state courts must be certified-translated. Common court contexts include:

• International commercial litigation — affidavits from foreign witnesses and experts
• International family law — affidavits in cross-border custody disputes, including Hague Convention proceedings under ICARA
• Estate and probate proceedings — affidavits of heirship, affidavits of survivorship, domicile declarations from foreign jurisdictions
• Criminal proceedings — foreign witness affidavits and police statements
• Immigration court (EOIR) — affidavits supporting asylum claims, convention claims, cancellation of removal

USCIS Immigration Applications​​​​​​. Foreign affidavits submitted as supporting evidence in USCIS applications require certified translation under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Common USCIS contexts include:

• I-130 spousal and family petitions — witness affidavits establishing the bona fide nature of a marriage, particularly when marriage occurred in a foreign country
• N-400 naturalization — affidavits explaining gaps in continuous residence or unusual travel history
• Asylum applications (I-589) — affidavits from witnesses, family members, or country condition experts in foreign languages
• Employment-based petitions — foreign affidavits supporting professional claims or educational credentials

International Legal Submissions

Affidavits prepared in English and destined for use in foreign courts or civil registries, besides a legal translations service, may require certified translation into the target language. TheWordPoint translates English affidavits into Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and 80+ other languages for international submissions.

Types of Affidavits and Sworn Documents We Translate

General affidavits and witness statements. Sworn statements from witnesses in civil, commercial, or criminal proceedings. We translate all formats, including US-style affidavits, UK-style statutory declarations, and civil law country equivalents.

Affidavit of identity confirms a person's identity, often required when official documents contain name discrepancies or are lost. Used in probate, immigration, and banking contexts. Common foreign equivalents: Declaración de Identidad (Spanish), Affidavit d'Identité (French).

Affidavit of marital status / Certificate of No Impediment Certifies that a person is legally free to marry — not currently married and without legal impediment to marriage. Required for international marriages in Italy (nulla osta al matrimonio), Germany (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis), France (certificat de coutume), and many others. We translate these into all required target languages.

Affidavit of heirship / affidavit of survivorship. Used in estate proceedings to establish inheritance rights. Common in cross-border estates where property or assets are located in a different country from where the deceased resided.

Affidavit of domicile certifies where a person lived or was domiciled — critical in international estate and probate proceedings where the law of domicile governs inheritance.

Financial affidavits and declarations of means. Sworn statements of financial status or assets. May be required in family law proceedings, immigration sponsorship contexts, or international commercial disputes.

Asylum support affidavits. Sworn statements from witnesses, family members, or country condition experts supporting an asylum applicant's claim of persecution or fear. These require particular sensitivity and precision in translation.

Affidavits in Hague Convention custody cases. Sworn statements from parents, family members, and witnesses in international child abduction and custody proceedings under the 1980 Hague Convention, handled in US federal courts under ICARA.

Two Services You May Need — Translating an Affidavit vs an Affidavit of Translation

Translating a foreign-language affidavit into English. You hold a foreign affidavit — a sworn statement in Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, or another language — and need it converted into certified English for a US court, USCIS, or other institution. TheWordPoint translates every element: the affiant's statement, the jurat (the oath clause confirming the document was sworn), the notary's attestation, and all stamps and seals.

 Providing an affidavit of translation accuracy. Some courts require the translator themselves to submit a sworn affidavit (notarized before a notary public) affirming their qualifications and the accuracy of their translation. This is a higher level of certification than a signed certificate of accuracy. Once again, USCIS certified translation doesn't require a sworn affidavit or notarization.

If you are unsure which service you need, your attorney or the clerk of the court handling your case can confirm the specific translation requirement.

How Our Affidavit Translation Process Works

• Identify your submission institution and its requirements. US courts require certified translation. USCIS requires certified translation. Some foreign courts require sworn translation by a court-registered translator. Confirm which applies before uploading.
• Upload all pages of the affidavit. Submit a clear scan or photo through our secure order form. All text, signatures, stamps, notary seals, and jurat language must be fully visible. PDF, JPG, and PNG accepted.
• Fixed price confirmed. We review your document and confirm an exact, fixed price and turnaround — typically within minutes. Rush options and any notarization requirements are confirmed here.
• ATA-certified legal translator assigned. Your affidavit is matched to a certified translator with legal expertise and experience in your language pair. The jurat and oath language in affidavits requires specific legal knowledge that general translators may not handle correctly.
• Complete translation of all elements. The full affidavit is translated — body text, oath clause (jurat), notary attestation, signatures (labeled), stamps, and any case references. An independent reviewer checks legal accuracy before the certificate of accuracy is signed.
• Certified delivery in 24 hours. Your translation arrives as a PDF with a signed certificate of accuracy. Physical copies with wet-ink signatures available for court submissions that require originals. Notarized versions available on request.

Data Confidentiality and Security Concerns

When it comes to the translation of an affidavit, security is a major concern for many customers. They may hesitate to share their data, fearing it could fall into the wrong hands. Our affidavit translation services are designed to eliminate any risks that could compromise your safety.

We strictly adhere to legal regulations, maintain absolute privacy, and implement advanced security measures to protect our system from unauthorized access. No third party will ever gain access to your translated documents, ensuring complete confidentiality. You can trust our certified translation agency to handle your official documents with the highest level of security and professionalism.

Certified Translation Services from TheWordPoint

Affidavit translation and apostille translation services are a critical component of the legal and official documentation process. By choosing certified translation services from TheWordPoint, individuals and organizations can ensure that their translated documents are accurate, fully certified, and accepted for all official purposes.