Form I-485 translations: which documents USCIS needs

The rule: 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) and USCIS guidance

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, lets eligible foreign nationals become lawful permanent residents without leaving the United States. To show eligibility and admissibility, you submit civil documents. If any of them are in a language other than English, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) applies 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3), along with the guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 1, Part B).

Under this rule, every foreign-language document needs a full English translation. The translator certifies that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate it.

Civil and court records that usually need translation for Form I-485

USCIS officers review your evidence to confirm your identity, your family relationships, and your criminal and immigration history. These are the records that most often need a certified translation:

• Long-form birth certificate: It should show both parents' full names, the registration date, and civil registry stamps. If your record comes from Ecuador, see our guide to getting and translating an Ecuador birth certificate from the Registro Civil for USCIS.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable): Needed when you file under a family-based petition or need to prove a marriage for derivative eligibility.
• Divorce decrees and annulment records: If either spouse was married before, you'll usually submit the final divorce decree or court judgment for each prior marriage. These records need a translation too.
• Police clearances and certified court dispositions: If you were ever detained, cited, charged, or convicted, you'll usually submit court dispositions, charging documents, and proof that you completed any sentence. Each one is translated in full.

What the certificate of translation should include

Attach the certificate to the translation. It should cover:

• Completeness: The translation covers the entire document, including margin notes, official seals, and apostilles.
• Competence: A signed statement that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.
• Recommended details: The translator's full name, signature, date, and contact information.

If you need these documents translated, see our certified translation for USCIS, with the certificate of accuracy included.

Pricing and process at Fidelis

Here’s what a certified translation for your I-485 costs and includes:

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