USCIS FORM I-539
Certified Translation for USCIS Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status)
Every foreign-language document you file with Form I-539 must include a complete certified English translation (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)). Translation HelpDesk certifies each supporting document for about $15–25, delivered in 24–48 hours and accepted by USCIS or we fix it free.
Updated July 11, 2026 · Translation guidance, not legal advice — confirm requirements with USCIS or your attorney.
WHAT FORM I-539 IS
Form I-539 at a Glance
Form I-539 is the application that nonimmigrants already in the United States use to extend their current temporary status or change to a different nonimmigrant category without leaving the country. It is filed by visitors (B-1/B-2), dependents of temporary workers (H-4, L-2, E, and TD), F/M students, and others, with family members added through the Form I-539A supplement. Because approval turns almost entirely on the supporting evidence attached, any of that evidence in a foreign language must be translated into English.
TRANSLATION REQUIREMENTS
Which Documents Need Translation
Form I-539 is rarely approved on the form alone; USCIS decides it on the supporting evidence you attach, and under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) every one of those documents not in English must arrive with a full English translation certified as complete and accurate. The relationship proof that anchors most H-4, L-2, E, and TD dependent filings, a foreign marriage certificate or a child's birth certificate, is the single item officers most often see submitted untranslated, and the I-539 instructions themselves direct you to attach an English translation with it. If you are extending B-2 status, the foreign bank statements, sponsor letters, or physician records used to show financial support or a medical reason must each be translated too, because a reviewing officer cannot weigh evidence they cannot read. The regulation also requires the translator to certify they are competent to translate from the source language, so a partial or summary translation of a multi-page family register will not satisfy it. Each document needs its own separate certification, meaning you cannot bundle a marriage certificate, birth certificate, and divorce decree under a single signature. This is translation guidance rather than legal advice, so confirm the exact evidence your nonimmigrant category requires with the current USCIS I-539 instructions or a licensed immigration attorney.
- Foreign marriage certificate (proving the qualifying relationship for H-4, L-2, E, or TD dependent spouses)
- Child's birth certificate listing the parent's name (for dependent children and to establish parent-child relationship)
- Divorce decree, annulment record, or death certificate (proof of termination of any prior marriage)
- Household or family register such as a hukou, koseki, or libro de familia (used where standalone birth certificates are not issued)
- Foreign bank statements and account records (proof of financial support, common for B-2 extensions)
- Sponsor or support affidavit / letter from a foreign employer or family member
- Physician's letter and hospital or medical records from a foreign provider (B-2 medical-treatment extensions)
- Foreign school records or enrollment letters (for F/M students changing or extending status)
TIPS
Filing Tips
Translate the entire page, including seals, stamps, registrar signatures, and marginal notes on birth and marriage certificates; officers reject translations that render only the certificate body and skip the official stamp.
Make sure the name on each translated certificate matches your passport and I-94; if a foreign document transliterates your name differently, have the translator note the variant so the officer connects the documents.
If you are adding dependents on Form I-539A, each dependent's relationship document needs its own certified translation, not one shared certification covering the whole family.
For B-2 extensions based on medical treatment, translate the foreign physician's letter in full, since the diagnosis and treatment dates are what justify the length of stay you are requesting.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my marriage or birth certificate need to be translated for Form I-539?
Yes. For H-4, L-2, E, and TD dependents, USCIS relies on your marriage certificate (for a spouse) or birth certificate (for a child) to confirm the qualifying relationship, and the I-539 instructions direct you to attach an English translation. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) it must be a complete, certified translation. Translation HelpDesk translates a birth or marriage certificate for roughly $15-25 total, typically within 24-48 hours.
Do I need to translate my passport for Form I-539?
Usually not. USCIS generally accepts the passport itself, and the biographic page on most passports is already printed in English. What typically needs translation are the separate foreign-language records you attach, such as marriage and birth certificates, divorce decrees, family registers, or foreign bank statements. When in doubt, confirm with the current USCIS instructions or your immigration attorney.
I'm extending B-2 status for medical treatment or to care for a relative. What has to be translated?
Any foreign-language evidence you rely on: the physician's letter, hospital or medical records, and the bank statements or sponsor letters showing you can support yourself during the extended stay. Each document must carry its own certified translation meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Translation HelpDesk offers a free 250-word sample so you can review the certification format before ordering.
What happens if USCIS finds my translation unacceptable?
USCIS can issue a Request for Evidence or delay a time-sensitive extension when a translation is incomplete, uncertified, or missing. Every Translation HelpDesk translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), and our USCIS Rejection Pledge means that if a translation is rejected for accuracy, we fix it free and cover the resubmission fee. You can reach us by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com.
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