If you're applying for a green card, visa, citizenship, or any other immigration benefit through USCIS, any document not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This is a strict requirement — USCIS will reject applications with untranslated foreign-language documents.
Documents That Commonly Need Translation
Birth certificates are the most frequently translated document for immigration. Every family member included in a petition needs their birth certificate translated — not just the primary applicant.
Marriage certificates are required for spouse-based petitions (I-130, I-485). If you were married in Brazil, the certidão de casamento needs a certified English translation.
Divorce decrees may be required if you or your spouse were previously married. USCIS needs to verify that prior marriages were legally dissolved.
Police clearance certificates (atestado de antecedentes criminais) are required for many visa categories and adjustment of status applications.
Academic records — diplomas, transcripts, and degree certificates may be needed for employment-based petitions or certain visa categories.
Financial documents — bank statements, tax returns, and employment letters from Brazil may need translation for affidavit of support purposes.
What Makes a Translation "Certified"?
USCIS requires that translations include a certification statement from the translator affirming that the translation is complete and accurate, and that the translator is competent to translate from Portuguese to English. This certification must be signed and dated.
Important: USCIS does not require the translator to be a member of any specific organization or hold a particular certification. However, using a professional translator with experience in immigration documents ensures accuracy and reduces the risk of your application being delayed due to translation issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't translate documents yourself. Even if you're fluent in both languages, USCIS prefers that translations be done by a third party — not the applicant or a family member.
Don't use machine translation. Google Translate or similar tools produce translations that are often inaccurate for official documents. USCIS officers can spot machine translations and may question the reliability of your application.
Don't forget the certification. Every translated document must include the translator's certification statement. Without it, USCIS will treat the translation as incomplete.
How to Get Your Documents Translated
At staelfogarty.com, certified Portuguese-to-English translations start at $40 per page with a standard turnaround of 2-3 business days. Rush service is available for urgent applications. Every translation comes with a signed certification statement accepted by USCIS, courts, and universities.