USCIS FORM I-918
Certified Translation for USCIS Form I-918 (Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status)
Every foreign-language document you file with Form I-918 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-918 IS
Form I-918 at a Glance
Form I-918 is filed by a noncitizen crime victim to request U nonimmigrant status — the "U visa" — a protection for people who suffered substantial physical or mental abuse from a qualifying criminal activity and who have been, are being, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in detecting, investigating, or prosecuting it. The victim files as the principal petitioner, typically with a signed personal statement and an original Form I-918 Supplement B certification executed by a certifying agency; a Supplement A is added for each qualifying family member seeking derivative status.
TRANSLATION REQUIREMENTS
Which Documents Need Translation
Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), every foreign-language document filed with your Form I-918 must be accompanied by a full English translation, plus the translator's signed statement certifying that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate. There is a nuance specific to the U visa that trips filers up: because a qualifying crime must have violated U.S. law, the police report and the Supplement B law enforcement certification are usually already in English, so petitioners sometimes assume nothing needs translating. In reality it is the surrounding evidence that is often in another language — the victim's own personal statement, witness declarations, and the civil-status documents (birth, marriage, divorce) used to prove identity and the derivative relationships claimed on Supplement A. Each of those must carry its own certified English translation to avoid a Request for Evidence or rejection. Translation HelpDesk provides a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) with every document, but because U visa filings are evidence-heavy and fact-sensitive, you should confirm exactly which items require translation with USCIS or your immigration attorney — this is translation guidance, not legal advice.
- Your signed personal statement or declaration if you wrote it in Spanish or another native language
- Witness affidavits and declarations from family, friends, or community members written in a foreign language
- Foreign birth certificates for you and each derivative family member listed on Supplement A (to prove identity and the qualifying relationship)
- A marriage certificate or divorce decree issued abroad, used to establish a spouse or stepchild derivative relationship
- Foreign police clearance certificates and criminal record checks submitted with a Form I-192 waiver of inadmissibility
- Medical, hospital, or psychological and counseling records issued in another language that document the substantial abuse
- Foreign court records, protective or restraining orders, and judgments from proceedings outside the United States
TIPS
Filing Tips
Translate every element on a foreign civil document — seals, stamps, and marginal notes included; partial translations of a birth or marriage certificate are a common rejection reason.
Don't let translation delay your filing: the Supplement B certification expires six months after the certifying official signs it, so build a 24-48 hour turnaround into your timeline rather than waiting.
Have your personal statement translated independently rather than translating it yourself — USCIS wants a certified third-party translation, not the petitioner's own rendering.
Keep each certified English translation attached to a copy of its original foreign document so the adjudicator can match them page for page; use our free 250-word sample to check quality before committing the full set.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the police report for my U visa need to be translated?
Usually not. Because a qualifying crime must have violated U.S. law, the police report and the Supplement B certification are typically already in English. Certified translation is generally needed for the foreign-language items around them — your personal statement, birth and marriage certificates, and witness declarations. Confirm the specifics with your attorney.
I wrote my personal statement in Spanish. Does it need a certified translation?
Yes. Any document not in English filed with Form I-918 must be accompanied by a full English translation and the translator's certification under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). We provide that certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy so your declaration is accepted as filed.
What documents for my family members on Supplement A need translation?
Foreign birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any other civil records used to prove the qualifying family relationship each need their own certified English translation. A single certificate typically runs $15-25 total at our $0.05 per word rate.
What happens if a translation is rejected by USCIS?
With our USCIS Rejection Pledge, if a document we translated is rejected for a translation-related reason, we fix it free and cover the resubmission fee. You can also message our team by email at info@translationhelpdesk.com to review your I-918 evidence list before you file.
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