The USCIS rule requires a full English translation certified as complete and accurate, along with the translator’s certification of competence. Preserve the original document and review the actual submission instructions.
Distinguish certification from unnecessary assumptions
Do not assume this rule always requires notarization or that an English summary replaces a full translation. Check the specific procedure and document requirements rather than applying an informal translation standard to everything. A translator does not need to hold a professional certification or license, but the accompanying statement must affirm both accuracy and the translator's own competence in both languages, and that statement should be a distinct, signed document rather than a note added to the translation itself.
Cover every part of the original that carries meaning, including stamps, seals, and marginal notes, rather than translating only the main body and leaving supporting marks undescribed. Keep the pagination and layout close enough to the source that a reviewer can match a translated passage to its corresponding location without guessing. Anyone capable of accurate translation may prepare the certification, though where the translator has a personal connection to the applicant, pairing the translation with the original and any independent supporting record helps address questions about quality if they arise.
Missing or incomplete certification is a common reason a submission is returned for correction.