Do You Need to Translate Your Passport for USCIS?
Does your passport need a certified translation for USCIS? Learn when a passport translation is required and what information must be translated.
Your passport is one of the most important documents in any immigration case, used to confirm your identity, nationality, and travel history. A common question is whether you need to translate it for USCIS. The answer depends on what language your passport is in and what USCIS asks for. This guide explains when a passport translation is required and what it should include.
When a Passport Translation Is Required
USCIS requires a certified English translation of any document, or part of a document, that is in a foreign language. Many passports already include English alongside the local language on the biographic page, in which case a translation may not be needed for that page. However, if your passport's biographic information, stamps, or visas are only in another language and you are submitting them, USCIS requires a certified English translation. When in doubt, it is safer to provide a translation.
What Information Needs to Be Translated
If a translation is required, it should cover the biographic page, including your full name, date and place of birth, passport number, issue and expiration dates, and issuing authority. Any stamps, visas, or endorsements that are relevant to your case and written in a foreign language should also be translated. The translation should mirror the layout of the passport so that officers can compare it to the original.
Why Accuracy Matters
Your passport ties together your identity across your entire application. If the spelling of your name, your date of birth, or your passport number does not match the rest of your documents, it can raise questions and slow down your case. A certified translation makes sure every detail is rendered accurately and consistently with your other paperwork. A signed certification of accuracy, completeness, and language competence is required for foreign-language documents submitted to USCIS.
Step-by-Step: How to Translate Your Passport
- Identify which pages are in a foreign language and need translation, usually the biographic page and any stamps or visas.
- Choose a certified translation service such as Sure Translation.
- Upload clear photos or scans of the relevant pages.
- Your document is translated and reviewed for accuracy and formatting.
- Review the translation to confirm your name, dates, and passport number are correct.
- Submit the certified translation with your application.
Why Choose Sure Translation
Sure Translation makes passport translation simple and accurate. Every order includes a stamped Certificate of Translation Accuracy, three rounds of revisions, and a 24-hour turnaround at just $18 per page. As an ATA Corporate Member, we make sure your passport details are translated correctly and consistently with the rest of your immigration documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does USCIS require a passport translation?
USCIS requires a certified English translation of any foreign-language document you submit. If your passport pages are only in another language, they need to be translated.
My passport already has English on it. Do I still need a translation?
If the relevant information is already shown in English, that part may not need translation. Any sections, stamps, or visas only in a foreign language would still need a certified translation.
Can I translate my own passport?
Foreign-language documents submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a complete English translation. Its accuracy and completeness must be certified, together with competence to translate from the original language into English. Review the instructions for your particular filing before preparing your documents.
How much does it cost?
Sure Translation offers certified translations at a flat $18 per page, with certification included.
How fast can I get it?
Most passport translations are completed within 24 hours.