Quick Answer (TL;DR)

No, USCIS does not require notarized translations, as they are not part of its official translation requirements. 

Instead, USCIS requires a certified translation of your documents. This certified translation must be completed by a professional translator fluent in the language pair (for example, French to English) and include a signed certification statement confirming the translation is accurate and complete. 

The certification statement is the only “official” element that USCIS checks for, not a notary stamp or an oath. Also, submitting a notarized translation will not give your application an edge over other applicants who submit a certified translation. So it’s better to stick to the requirements. 

What USCIS Actually Requires

USCIS simply requires a certified translation. A notarized translation only verifies the translator’s identity but does not verify the translation’s accuracy. USCIS is concerned with the accuracy, completeness, and translator’s competence. Here’s what they look out for; 

Complete Translation

According to USCIS, every word, letter, stamp, seal, and signature in the original document must be translated. If it appears in the original document, even if it’s handwritten, it must appear in the translated document to be considered complete. Leaving out sections of the original document, perhaps because they’re not visible, can lead to application delays or rejection. This is because USCIS compares the two documents and expects to see an identical translation.

Translator Certification

USCIS also requires to see a signed certification statement from the translator confirming; 

• Accuracy: That the translation is a true and faithful representation of the original document
• Completeness: That nothing has been omitted from the translation
• Competence: The translator is competent to translate in both the source and target languages. 

This certification makes your translation “certified” according to USCIS. It doesn’t need to be sworn before a notary or any other official, it simply needs to be a signed, written declaration from the translator. 

Qualified Translator

Fortunately, USCIS does not require translators to hold a special license or professional accreditation. But it doesn’t mean you or your family members can translate the document. You cannot translate your own documents. The translator just needs to be competent in both languages involved. 

In practice, we advise using a professional translation service. Not because USCIS mandates it, but because errors in your translated documents can have serious consequences on your application. 

Certified vs. Notarized Translation

Many applicants get confused about whether to get a certified translation or a notarized translation. And it’s totally normal. When submitting documents to USCIS, you do not want to be missing anything important. 

So here’s what you should know; 

A certified translation is a translated document that includes a certification statement from the translator confirming that the translation is accurate, complete, and a true representation of the original. 

A notarized translation, on the other hand, involves a notary service. Here, a notary verifies the translator’s identity before affixing their signature and stamp. They do not check the accuracy of the translation, just the translator. 

Here’s the difference at a glance; 

USCIS only requires a certified translation. However, if you need to use your document in other countries, they may require a notarized translation. 

Note: If someone tells you that you need a notarized translation for your USCIS application, they likely mean a certified translation. When in doubt, use the term “USCIS-certified translation” when placing your order, and confirm that a signed certification statement will be included.

When Notarization Might Still be Useful

While notarization isn’t required by USCIS, there are situations in which it may still be required. These include; 

• Courts and legal proceedings. If your translated document will be used as evidence in a legal case, you may need a notarized translation to add extra credibility in court. 
• Universities and academic institutions may sometimes require notarized documents, particularly for graduate admissions or credential evaluations. 
• Foreign embassies and consulates typically have stricter requirements and may require notarization of your documents to ensure they are valid for official use. 
• Multi-purpose documents are another practical reason to consider notarization. For example, if you plan to use the same translation for immigration today, court proceeding tomorrow, or a professional licensing application, the next day, you may need to notarize your document to ensure it’s accepted across the board. 
• Personal preference is also a valid reason. If you feel more comfortable notarizing your document, for that extra official step, then you can go ahead. There’s no downside to having a notarized translation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a notarized but not certified translation: This is the most frequent mistake. Before notarizing a translation, make sure it is first certified. USCIS requires a certified translation, not a notarized translation. 
• No certification statement: This is one of the reasons we advise using a professional translation agency, as you’re sure nothing will be missing. Without a certification statement, your certified translation is not valid for use. 
• Partial translations: Every word in the original document must be translated. Whether it’s handwritten or not, a stamp, a note, etc. Omitting parts of your document during translation can lead to delays or rejection because, to USCIS, your document is incomplete. 
• Translating your own documents: I think speaking multiple languages is insanely cool. But USCIS doesn’t see it as cool enough to allow you to translate your documents, no matter how fluent you are. This is a firm rule with no exceptions. If you translate your documents, your application may be rejected. 
• Using a bilingual friend or family member: You know what’s better than speaking multiple languages? Your whole family, speaking it too! But USCIS doesn’t consider it better, so your bilingual friend or family member cannot translate your document. While there’s no rule for a licensed translator, the person still has to be competent, experienced in translating documents for USCIS, and understand the terminology and context of legal and official documents. 
• Submitting a translation without the original document: USCIS requires that you submit the original document alongside the translated document, not separately. Sending only the translation or the document can delay your application.
• Assuming one translation format works everywhere: If you’re submitting the same document to multiple authorities, such as USCIS, a court, or a foreign embassy, don’t assume that a USCIS-certified translation will be accepted by all of them. Different authorities have different rules; always find out which one applies to the authority you’re submitting to.