Green Card Translation Requirements: Every Document for I-485

What USCIS Requires for I-485 Translations

Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any document in a foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a complete English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is accurate and complete, and declare that they are competent in both languages. USCIS does not require the translator to be a licensed professional or hold any specific credential — but the translation must be complete, accurate, and accompanied by the translator's signed certification.

Complete Document Checklist for I-485

The I-485 package requires translations for a significant number of documents. Below is the complete list of documents that typically require certified English translation when they are in a foreign language:

• Birth certificate (of the applicant) — required in all I-485 cases
• Marriage certificate — required if applying as a spouse
• Divorce decree(s) — required for any previous marriages, for both spouses
• Foreign passport biographical page — if not in English
• Police clearance certificates — for each country where you lived 6+ months after age 16
• Military discharge records — if applicable
• Court records / criminal dispositions — if you have ever been arrested or charged
• Adoption records — if the green card basis is an adoptive relationship
• Name change documents — if your name has changed legally
• Form I-693 medical examination — completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (medical records supporting the exam may need translation)

Birth Certificate Translation for I-485

Your birth certificate is the most important document in your I-485 package. USCIS requires a complete certified translation that includes every field on the original — even fields that appear blank, stamps, seals, and marginal notations. A common mistake is omitting stamps or annotations on the original document; this can result in an RFE (Request for Evidence).

If you were born in a country that issues birth certificates in a format very different from a US birth certificate (such as a registro civil in Mexico, or a hukou in China, or a birth certificate issued by a hospital rather than a government registry), the translation must still capture the full layout and all fields. Our translators are familiar with document formats from 100+ countries.

Marriage and Divorce Certificate Translation

If you are adjusting status as an immediate relative (such as a spouse of a US citizen), both your marriage certificate and any prior divorce decrees must be translated. This applies to both you and your petitioning spouse — if your US citizen spouse was previously married, their divorce decree must also be translated if it was issued in a foreign language.

Civil vs. religious marriage certificates: Many countries issue both a civil marriage certificate (from the government registry) and a religious marriage certificate (from a church, mosque, or temple). USCIS requires the civil certificate. If only a religious certificate exists, additional documentation may be needed; consult with an immigration attorney.

Police Clearance Certificate Translation

You must provide a police clearance certificate from every country where you have lived for 6 months or more since your 16th birthday (with some exceptions). If these certificates are issued in a language other than English, each one requires a certified translation.

Police clearance certificates vary significantly by country. Some countries issue a simple letter; others issue a formal document with notarial seals. Whatever the format, the certified translation must reproduce every element of the original, including all stamps, seals, and reference numbers.

Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status

The translation requirements are essentially the same whether you are filing Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status, for those already in the US) or going through consular processing (Form DS-260, for those outside the US). In both cases, all foreign-language documents require complete certified English translations.

One key difference: at a consular interview abroad, you may be asked to bring the original documents AND the certified translations in person. For I-485 filed within the US, translations are submitted with the application package.

What Triggers a Translation-Related RFE

USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) when a submitted document or translation does not meet their standards. The most common translation-related RFE triggers include:

• Incomplete translation — any field, stamp, or notation on the original was omitted
• No translator certification — the translation lacks the translator's signed statement of accuracy and competency
• Self-translation — USCIS regulations state the applicant cannot translate their own documents
• Machine translation without certification — Google Translate output is not acceptable
• Illegible original — a blurry scan was submitted; the translator noted content as illegible without providing a note

Frequently Asked Questions