Do documents need a sworn translation or a ‘certified translation’ for EB-1?

For U.S. immigration proceedings, the standard is a ‘certified translation’ (not a sworn translation in the style used in some other countries). Every document in a language other than English typically needs to be accompanied by an English translation with a translator’s certification.

In practice, that certification is a statement in which the translator attests that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from that language. It generally includes the translator’s signature, date, and contact information.

It is worth understanding the distinction that commonly causes confusion:

• In many countries, a sworn translation is performed by an officially authorized public translator.
• For U.S. immigration, what is required is the certification described above, with no requirement that the translator be officially sworn.

Because document requirements can change and vary depending on the type of proceeding, always confirm the accepted format in the official USCIS guidelines before arranging your translations, or seek specialized support to avoid rework.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.