When Is Translation Required?

USCIS does not have a universal rule requiring certified translation of vaccination records. However, the civil surgeon must be able to understand the content of your records to credit the vaccines documented in them.

If your records are in a language the civil surgeon cannot read, the civil surgeon may: (1) ask you to provide a certified translation, (2) ask you to bring an interpreter, or (3) decline to credit the undocumented vaccines and require titer testing or re-vaccination instead.

To avoid delays and ensure your records are credited, bring a certified translation of any records that are not in English or Spanish.

What Is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator certifying that the translation is accurate and complete. The translator does not need to be a licensed professional, but must be competent in both languages.

Certified translations are available from professional translation services, many of which offer same-day or next-day turnaround for vaccination records. The cost is typically $20–$75 per page.

What Information Needs to Be Translated?

For vaccination records, the most important information to translate is:

• The name of each vaccine (or the disease it protects against)
• The date(s) of administration
• The number of doses
• The name and credentials of the administering provider or facility
• Any official stamps, signatures, or certification marks

Tips for Bringing Foreign Records

To make the most of your civil surgeon appointment:

• Bring both the original foreign-language records and the certified translation
• Organize records chronologically by vaccine and date
• Highlight or mark the vaccine names and dates to make them easy to find
• If you have a WHO yellow card (International Certificate of Vaccination), bring it — it is internationally recognized and often readable without translation
• If your records are partially in English (common for internationally trained healthcare providers), note which sections are in English