Government Translation Services for Agencies and Public Bodies

Two Types of Government Translation — Which Do You Need?

If you are a government agency, public body or contractor serving people with limited English proficiency (LEP):

You need professional government translation: accurate, culturally appropriate multilingual translation of forms, notices and public information. Recipients of federal funding must not discriminate on the basis of national origin under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which has long been applied to language access. Election materials in covered jurisdictions fall under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, and many states and cities have their own language access laws. See “Government Content We Translate for Agencies and Public Bodies” below.

If you are an individual submitting foreign documents to a US government agency:

You need a certified translation: a complete English translation with a signed certificate of accuracy. USCIS, immigration courts, the IRS, the SSA and most federal and state agencies require it for foreign-language documents. See “Certified Translation for Government Agency Submissions” below.

For tax returns, bank statements and other documents you file with the IRS or another agency, see our tax and government filings use case for individuals.

Government Documents We Translate

TheWordPoint provides certified translation of all government-issued documents, including:

• Civil registration documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, death certificates, adoption papers — from national civil registries and vital records offices worldwide.
• Identity and travel documents: National identity cards, passports (data pages), residence permits, visas, foreign driver's licenses.
• Law enforcement and judicial records: Police clearance certificates, criminal records, court orders and judgments, probation and parole records, military tribunal records.
• Military and service records: Military service books, discharge records, conscription notices, military tribunal orders — from all countries and all eras.
• Tax and financial government records: Foreign tax returns, government-issued financial statements, property ownership records, land registry certificates, government-issued financial assessment notices.
• Immigration and consular documents: Foreign visas and immigration stamps, consular birth registration records, citizenship certificates, naturalization records from foreign countries.
• Educational records issued by government: Government examination certificates (WAEC, NECO, Baccalauréat, Attestat, Abiturzeugnis), state-issued diplomas and teaching credentials, government-certified academic transcripts.
• Government-issued health records: Public health vaccination records, government-issued medical examination reports, national health system records.

Certified Translation for Government Agency Submissions

Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), USCIS requires that every foreign-language document submitted with an immigration application include a complete certified English translation. Similar requirements apply across US federal and state agencies. TheWordPoint's certified translations are accepted by:

• USCIS — US Citizenship and Immigration Services. All foreign-language civil, legal, and government documents submitted with USCIS petitions — I-130, I-485, N-400, K-1, H-1B, DS-260 — require certified translation. This includes foreign birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police clearances, government ID cards, military records, national civil registry documents, and all other government-issued supporting documents. → See USCIS Certified Translation Services
• EOIR — Immigration Courts All foreign-language documents submitted in immigration court proceedings — asylum hearings, removal proceedings, bond hearings, cancellation of removal — require certified English translation. Asylum applications (I-589) regularly involve government-issued threat notices, military documents, police records, and country condition materials in foreign languages.
• SSA — Social Security Administration Foreign nationals applying for Social Security retirement benefits, SSI, or disability benefits must submit certified translations of foreign-language identity documents, foreign birth certificates, and citizenship or immigration status documents.
• IRS — Internal Revenue Service Foreign financial records, foreign tax documents, bank statements in foreign languages, and international income documentation submitted with FBAR filings (FinCEN 114) and tax returns require certified English translations.
• CBP — Customs and Border Protection Import and export documentation, country-of-origin certificates, customs declarations, and foreign commercial invoices in non-English languages require certified translation for customs processing.
• DOL — Department of Labor. Supporting documentation for H-1B Labor Condition Applications and other work visa petitions — including foreign educational credentials, professional certifications, and employment records — may require certified translation.
• State vital records offices. Some states require certified translations of foreign birth certificates, marriage records, or death certificates submitted for registration, amendment, or correction of state vital records.
• State and family courts. Foreign court orders (custody, divorce, adoption), foreign civil judgments, and international documents submitted as evidence in state court proceedings require certified translation.

Government Content We Translate for Agencies and Public Bodies

• Official forms and applications. Multilingual versions of benefit applications, permit forms, registration forms, licensing applications, and government program enrollment forms. Accurate translation of form field labels, instructions, and legal disclosures.
• Public health communications. Vaccination guidance, disease outbreak notices, public health alerts, health benefit enrollment materials, medication instructions, and patient rights notices. Translated for community health centers, county health departments, public hospitals, and HHS-funded programs.
• Legal rights notices. Miranda rights advisements, court interpreter notices, HIPAA privacy notices, eviction notices, administrative hearing notices, and due process notifications translated for LEP respondents.
• Benefit program materials. SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, housing assistance, unemployment insurance, WIC, Head Start, and other federal and state benefit program communications for LEP-eligible populations.
• Voting and election materials. Voter registration materials, ballot measure summaries, voting instructions, polling place notices, and election administration materials for jurisdictions covered under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.
• Emergency and disaster communications. Evacuation notices, shelter information, emergency public health orders, FEMA disaster assistance materials, and public safety alerts — time-sensitive translation for multilingual communities.
• Law enforcement and court communications. Arrest notices, rights advisements, community policing materials, court-ordered notices, and community outreach materials from law enforcement agencies.
• School district communications. Parent notifications, enrollment forms, IEP/504 meeting notices, school handbook translations, and multilingual outreach materials required under ESSA and state language access laws.

Prices for Government Document Translation

See all translation prices

Public and government offices handle thousands of documents, from laws and regulations to contracts, amendments and policies. We support local, state and federal government bodies and their contractors with document translations and contract translation services in many fields.

Here are four major sectors we focus on - though our expertise extends beyond these areas.

Public Sector

Infrastructure, general service administrations, public health and human services, education, and telecommunications form the foundation of any country. These sectors are constantly evolving with new initiatives and regulations. Our team of language experts understands the complexities involved and ensures that every translation aligns with industry standards. No matter the task, we guarantee accuracy and compliance in all our government translation services.

Social Sector

Government entities and social security administrations frequently collaborate with profit and non-profit agencies to support communities and improve their well-being. We offer professional translations for public service announcements and related documents.

Government Translation and Localization

Government clients are also interested in general government language translation services, apostille translation, localization assistance, or transcriptions needs. Some areas involve culturally sensitive content, where simple localization is not enough. Our team ensures that your translated documents are not only accurate but also smoothly adapted for the target audience, maintaining both clarity and cultural relevance.

Government Information Technology Services

Government IT translation services require specialized expertise to handle sensitive technical and security documentation. Translators must maintain precise government terminology while working with system specifications, security protocols, and compliance documents that enable international cooperation and data sharing. This work demands careful attention to data privacy regulations and cybersecurity standards when translating into foreign languages.

Reviewed and updated  on October 15, 2026, by

Christakis Christodoulou,
Managing Director
Head of the Certified Translation Department