Should I use immigration document translation services or translate on my own?
Self translations are not allowed by the USCIS office
Some may think of translating their documents on their own so they don’t spend money on immigration document translation services. If you’re thinking of doing just that, think again.
Why use immigration document translation services?
Birth certificates look simple, don’t they? It’s a simple one-page form with your name, your family history and some details. How hard can it possibly be to translate a document like that? There is a need of simple paper on which you will just scribble down all the details into your target language, which by the way you know like native speakers, and the job is done. While you may do that, you still need a certificate of accuracy for the translation to be certified, and if you don’t know how to make one, the translation won’t be of use. And second, you are not allowed by the USCIS to translate your own documents. Immigration document translation services are there for a reason, and while some may charge hefty prices, there are other translation companies which provide cheap certified translation services, just like we do. They may have higher prices, but they are also affordable.
The USICS does not accept translations made by yourself. Birth certificates, marriage, divorce and so on are important documents and the translation should be done following very specific instructions of the immigration office under discussion if it is going to be cleared by it. USCIS stands for United States Customs and Immigration Services and that is the office you need to go to if you want to become an US citizen.
The need for accurate translation led to certified translation
Obviously, the USCIS office can’t and won’t accept documents in any other language but English unless they are translated, simply because they won’t be able to understand them. Translation makes that happen, but since the translation needs to be accurate, a certain type of translation was needed. For this reason, USCIS requires every individual to have a certified translation for any certificate that they are submitting.
This means that every translation needs to have a certificate attached, stating that the translation has been conducted by a professional translator who is fluent in both languages which declares that the translation is accurate. The certificate of accuracy also contains translator’s contact details.
Why so much fuss about the translation?
All of the above precautions are taken so that there is a sense of accountability attached to the process of translation that is being used, which makes forgeries, fake documentation or bad translation harder to pass by them. It also makes sure that all the translation that is submitted is accurate and of high quality.
When it comes to certificate translation for USCIS, there are 3 things you need to know:
- the translation needs to look exactly like the original, only translated
- it needs to have a certificate of accuracy
- you can’t do it on your own
Certified translation is a task that comes with much responsibility and that is why the immigration office has placed tough restrictions on who could provide immigration document translation services.
Why not get the translation with guaranteed acceptance if you can?
Universal Translation Services provides translation for USCIS at only $20 per page, which is probably the lowest price in the US. Even more, the translation is guaranteed to be accepted by any USCIS office, so why not save yourself time and money and ask us to do it for you?
