What Is a Certified Translation? The Official US Definition
A certified translation in the US is a translated document paired with a signed Certificate of Accuracy in which the translator declares the translation to be true and complete. USCIS requires certified translations under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). No special translator license or credential is required — the declaration itself is what makes a translation "certified."
The Plain-English Definition
When a government agency, immigration officer, or legal professional asks for a "certified translation," they are asking for two things together:
- The translated document — a full, accurate translation of every word in the original, including stamps, headers, footers, and marginalia.
- A Certificate of Accuracy — a signed statement by the translator (or an authorized representative of the translation company) declaring the translation to be complete and accurate.
The word "certified" does not mean the translator holds a government-issued certificate or licence. In the United States, there is no national body that licenses translators. The American Translators Association (ATA) offers a voluntary certification exam, but ATA certification is not required for USCIS submissions and most other official purposes. The "certification" in certified translation refers entirely to the signed declaration — nothing more.
The Legal Basis: 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)
For immigration purposes, the requirement for certified translations comes from the Code of Federal Regulations. 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) states:
This regulation establishes two requirements for USCIS submissions: (1) a full translation, and (2) the translator's signed certification of completeness, accuracy, and competency. It does not require ATA membership, a government licence, or any specific educational background — only that the translator is competent and not the applicant themselves.
What the Certificate of Accuracy Must Say
USCIS does not prescribe an exact format for the Certificate of Accuracy, but it must clearly contain:
- A declaration that the translation is accurate and complete
- The translator's statement of competency in both languages
- The translator's full name and signature
- The date of certification
- Contact information (address or company name)
I, [Translator Name], certify that I am competent to translate from [source language] into English and that the foregoing translation of [document name] is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signed: ________________________ Date: ____________
[Translator Name] | [Company Name] | [Address] | [Phone/Email]
Official Translations includes a fully compliant Certificate of Accuracy with every certified translation we produce, printed on our company letterhead with the translator's name and credentials.
Certified Translation vs Notarized Translation
This is the most common point of confusion. They are not the same thing.
| Feature | Certified Translation | Notarized Translation |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Translation + translator's signed declaration of accuracy | Translation + notary public certifies the translator's signature |
| Who provides it | The translator or translation company | A licensed notary public (after the translator signs) |
| Required by USCIS | Yes | No |
| What the notary verifies | N/A | The translator's identity and signature only — NOT the translation quality |
| When you need it | All official submissions: USCIS, courts, universities, employers | Some US courts, some state agencies, some overseas authorities |
USCIS explicitly does not require notarization. A certified translation with a compliant Certificate of Accuracy is all that is needed for any USCIS petition or application. Adding notarization does not make a translation more valid for USCIS — it is an extra step required only by specific non-USCIS authorities.
For a detailed breakdown, see our guide: Do I Need a Notarized Translation for USCIS?
Certified Translation vs Credentialed Translator
These are two entirely different concepts that frequently get conflated.
- A certified translation is a document with a Certificate of Accuracy attached. Any competent translator can produce one.
- A credentialed translator is a person who has passed a professional examination (like the ATA certification exam) and holds a formal credential. ATA-certified translators exist, but USCIS does not require you to use one.
In practice, USCIS cares about the translation being accurate and certified — not about whether the translator passed a specific exam. A translator who is native-level fluent, professionally experienced, and signs a compliant declaration satisfies the regulatory requirement, regardless of ATA membership.
For more on translator qualification requirements, see: Does My Translator Need Special Credentials for USCIS?
Certified Translation vs Apostille
An apostille and a certified translation are completely different instruments that serve different purposes.
- A certified translation is an English-language version of a foreign document, with a declaration of accuracy.
- An apostille is a government-issued authentication attached to an original document so it is accepted in another Hague Convention country.
USCIS does NOT require apostilles on translated documents. If you are submitting a foreign birth certificate with an English translation to USCIS, the translation needs a Certificate of Accuracy — but neither the original nor the translation needs an apostille.
Apostilles are needed when a US document must be used in another country, or when a foreign authority requires authentication of the original document before you translate it for use abroad. For a full guide, see: Does My Certified Translation Need an Apostille?
When Do You Need a Certified Translation?
Certified translations are required by a wide range of US institutions:
- USCIS / immigration petitions — all foreign-language documents in any application
- US courts — foreign-language evidence, foreign judgments, contracts
- US universities — foreign academic transcripts, diplomas, secondary school records
- Credential evaluation agencies (WES, ECE, Josef Silny) — for professional licence recognition
- US employers — foreign degrees, background check documents
- State agencies — vital records (birth, marriage, divorce) for name changes, benefits, etc.
- Social Security Administration — foreign birth certificates for benefits claims
- Financial institutions — foreign ID documents for KYC/AML compliance
What a Certified Translation Looks Like
A complete certified translation package from Official Translations includes:
The Translated Document
A full English translation formatted to mirror the layout of the original, including all text, stamps, seals, headers, and signatures (rendered as text descriptions where appropriate).
The Certificate of Accuracy
Printed on Official Translations letterhead, signed by the translator or an authorized company representative, with date, company details, and the translator's name.
Optional: Notarization
If your specific purpose requires notarization (certain courts, some state agencies), our translations can be notarized at our fulfillment offices in California, New York, and Kentucky — valid in all 50 states under the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
Who Is Qualified to Provide a Certified Translation?
In the US, any person who is:
- Fluent in both the source and target languages
- Not the applicant themselves (USCIS explicitly prohibits self-translation)
- Willing to sign a declaration of competency and accuracy
...is technically permitted to produce a certified translation. However, errors in certified translations submitted to USCIS can cause Requests for Evidence (RFE), rejection, or delays. Using a professional translation company with subject-matter expertise and quality review processes is strongly recommended for any immigration submission.
Official Translations works exclusively with professional translators who are native speakers of the target language, experienced in legal and immigration document translation, and familiar with the specific formatting requirements of USCIS petitions.
Need a Certified Translation for USCIS?
USCIS-accepted certified translations with same-day delivery available. From $24.95 per page.
Order Certified Translation