Foreign-language evidence filed in immigration court needs an English translation and a signed translation certificate. EOIR’s current document instructions are in Part II, Chapter 2.3(a), with a certificate example in Appendix F. Confirm the court’s deadlines and submission requirements for the particular case with the legal team.
Check the certificate for the exhibit set
Use a typed certificate identifying the documents, the translator’s competence and the translation’s accuracy. Include the translator’s signature, address and telephone number. Where one certificate covers several documents, identify each document clearly.
If an English affidavit or declaration is signed by someone who is not fluent in English, check EOIR’s separate certificate-of-interpretation requirement. Written document translation and explaining an English declaration to its signer are different tasks.
Prepare readable evidence for translation
- Police and court records: include the full record supplied for the exhibit, file numbers, annotations and readable stamps.
- Medical or psychological records: include the pages selected for the case and keep page order clear.
- Messages and screenshots: retain visible dates, sender information and surrounding text needed to understand the excerpt.
- Witness statements: distinguish the source statement from any English declaration prepared for signature.
- News and country-condition materials: record the title, publisher, date and source location for the legal team.
Review meaning without altering the evidence
Check that the translation preserves the original meaning, tone and level of certainty. Threats, slang and abbreviations need careful treatment. An unreadable passage should be identified rather than reconstructed.
Preserve the source’s names and dates. Flag differences between exhibits or forms; do not silently normalize them. Keep document labels and page references consistent so the attorney can locate the corresponding source.
Plan around the court’s actual instructions
Use the filing and service deadlines set for the case. Schedule time for translation, certification, legal review and submission. A delivery estimate from a translation provider does not set or extend a court deadline.
Translation support from Ichundu
Ichundu translates Spanish–English evidence documents. Send the exhibit list, readable copies and the deadline confirmed by the legal team. Specify certification needs; they are quoted separately. Ask about a delivery schedule for larger sets and services for immigration law firms.
Official sources
- EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 2.3: documents and certifications
- EOIR Appendix F: certificate examples
Reviewed October 13, 2026.
