Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders must navigate specific document translation requirements when filing for renewals, employment authorization, or related immigration benefits. This guide covers translation requirements for both DACA and TPS filings, including which documents require certified translation and how those translations must be prepared under USCIS rules.
DACA Translation Requirements
DACA is administered by USCIS under its deferred action authority. Initial DACA requests and renewals are filed on Form I-821D along with Form I-765 for employment authorization. All non-English supporting documents submitted with these forms must include a complete certified English translation under 8 CFR §103.2(b)(3).
Current DACA status: DACA remains subject to ongoing litigation. Renewals continue to be processed for existing recipients. Check the USCIS website for the latest filing guidance, as procedures may change during active court proceedings. Translation requirements remain in effect regardless of DACA's legal status.
DACA Document Translation Checklist
The following documents may be required for DACA initial requests and renewals. All non-English documents must be accompanied by a certified translation.
| Document | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Required | Required to establish identity and date of birth; translate all pages including stamps and annotations |
| School Records | If non-English | Transcripts, diplomas, or enrollment records used to establish continuous residence and education criteria |
| Military Records | If applicable | For recipients who served in the U.S. military; discharge papers if non-English |
| Court Records | If applicable | Arrest records, dispositions, or court orders in a foreign language must be translated in full |
| Passport or Travel Document | If non-Latin script | Most passports are bilingual or use Latin script; non-Latin script biographical pages require translation for USCIS |
| Employment Records | If non-English | Pay stubs, employer letters, or tax records in a foreign language submitted as proof of residence |
TPS Translation Requirements
Temporary Protected Status is granted to nationals of designated countries affected by armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS is filed on Form I-821 with an optional Form I-765 for employment authorization. Like DACA, all non-English supporting documents must include a certified translation.
Country designations change: USCIS periodically adds, extends, or terminates TPS designations. The documents required vary depending on which country's TPS designation you are filing under. Always check the country-specific TPS page on USCIS.gov for current requirements alongside these general translation guidelines.
TPS Document Translation Checklist
The following documents are commonly required for TPS filings. Translation requirements apply to all non-English documents.
| Document | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | Required | Primary identity document; must include all pages with stamps, seals, and annotations translated |
| National Identity Card | If non-English | Cedula, DPI, or equivalent national ID documents in a foreign language require translation |
| Passport | If non-Latin script | Required if the biographical page is not in Latin script or if USCIS cannot read the document |
| Proof of Nationality | Required | Nationality is a core TPS eligibility requirement; any foreign-language nationality documents must be translated |
| Continuous Residence Evidence | If non-English | Foreign-language utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, or employer letters submitted as residence proof |
| Court or Police Records | If applicable | Criminal history documentation in a foreign language must be fully translated, including dispositions |
| Marriage Certificate | If applicable | Required if filing for TPS-based benefits for a spouse; must include all registration stamps |
Certification Requirements for DACA and TPS Translations
The same certification standard that applies to all USCIS filings applies to DACA and TPS translations. Under 8 CFR §103.2(b)(3), every translation submitted to USCIS must include a signed statement from the translator that includes:
- The translator's full name
- A statement that the translator is competent in both the source and English languages
- A statement that the translation is accurate and complete to the best of the translator's knowledge
- The date of the certification
Self-translation is not permitted: USCIS regulations prohibit applicants from translating their own documents. This applies equally to DACA and TPS filers. A family member who is a fluent bilingual speaker also cannot translate — the translator must be a qualified third party who certifies their own competency.
DACA & TPS Certified Translations
Official Translations provides USCIS-accepted certified translations for all DACA and TPS supporting documents — birth certificates, school records, national IDs, court records, and more. Every translation includes the required certification statement.
