USCIS Certified Translation vs Credential Evaluation: What’s the Difference?

USCIS Certified Translation vs Credential Evaluation: What’s the Difference?

If you’re preparing an immigration case in the United States, you may hear two common requirements:

1. USCIS Certified Translation

2. Academic Credential Evaluation

They sound similar, but they are not the same thing. Ordering the wrong service can cause delays, extra costs, or even an RFE (Request for Evidence).

This guide explains the difference clearly, when you need each one, and when you need both.

What Is a USCIS Certified Translation?

A USCIS certified translation is a complete and accurate English translation of any document that is not in English.

USCIS requires that any foreign-language document submitted with an immigration application includes:

• The full English translation

• A signed certification from the translator confirming accuracy and competence

Common documents that require USCIS certified translation

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Divorce decrees

• Police certificates

• Passports and national IDs

• Court documents

• Diplomas and transcripts

• Employment letters

• Medical records (when applicable)

The goal is simple: USCIS officers must be able to read and understand your documents clearly.

What Is an Academic Credential Evaluation?

A credential evaluation is a professional report that explains what your foreign education equals in the U.S. education system.

It is often used to confirm if your degree is equivalent to a:

• U.S. bachelor’s degree

• U.S. master’s degree

• Specific field of study equivalency

• Course-by-course academic record (for admissions or licensing)

Common reasons people need credential evaluations

• Employment-based immigration cases (EB-2, EB-2 NIW, EB-1, EB-3, H-1B, TN)

• U.S. university admissions

• Professional licensing requirements

• Employer verification of foreign education

A translation tells USCIS what the document says.

An evaluation tells USCIS (or an institution) what the education means in the U.S. system.

The Key Difference (Simple Explanation)

USCIS Certified Translation answers:

“What does the document say in English?”

Credential Evaluation answers:

“What is this foreign degree equivalent to in the United States?”

They are different services—and many immigration cases require both.

When You Need a Certified Translation (But NOT an Evaluation)

You usually need only a USCIS certified translation when:

• Your document is in Spanish (or any non-English language)

• You are submitting it to USCIS

• You don’t need to prove degree equivalency

Examples:

• Birth certificate for a family petition

• Marriage certificate

• Police clearance certificate

• Divorce decree

• Court record

When You Need a Credential Evaluation (But NOT a Translation)

You may need an evaluation even if the document is already bilingual or in English.

Examples:

• A school requests an evaluation for admissions

• A licensing board requires a course-by-course report

• An attorney needs a U.S. equivalency statement to support EB-2 eligibility

In these cases, the evaluation report is the main requirement.

When You Need BOTH (Most Common Situation)

Many immigration cases require:

✅ Certified translation of diplomas and transcripts

AND

✅ Credential evaluation to confirm U.S. equivalency

This is especially common for:

• EB-2 / EB-2 NIW (advanced degree or bachelor + experience)

• H-1B (degree equivalency requirements)

• EB-1 (supporting evidence for education level)

• TN (USMCA) (aligning the degree with the TN profession category)

If you submit a foreign diploma without translation, USCIS may not accept it. If you submit only the translation but no evaluation when equivalency is required, the case may still be incomplete.

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays

Here are the most common issues we see:

Mistake #1: Translating everything but never getting an evaluation

Result: Your case may still be missing U.S. equivalency proof.

Mistake #2: Getting an evaluation but not translating the documents

Result: USCIS cannot review the supporting evidence properly.

Mistake #3: Using “literal translation” that sounds unnatural in English

Result: Confusing wording, unclear titles, and unnecessary delays.

For immigration, the goal is not word-for-word translation.The goal is clear, professional, USCIS-ready documentation.

How AcademicEval Services Can Help

At AcademicEval Services, we provide both services in one place:

USCIS Certified Translations

• Accurate, complete English translations

• USCIS certification included

• Immigration-ready formatting

Academic Credential Evaluations

• U.S. degree equivalency reports

• Document-by-document or course-by-course formats

• Clear conclusions for immigration, school, or licensing

This makes your process faster, easier, and more organized.

Quick Checklist: What Do You Need?

You need a USCIS Certified Translation if:

• Your document is not in English

• You are submitting it to USCIS

You need a Credential Evaluation if:

• You must prove your education equals a U.S. degree

• Your case involves employment-based immigration, school, or licensing

You need BOTH if:

• Your diploma/transcripts are not in English

• AND your case requires U.S. equivalency proof

FAQ

Do USCIS translations need to be notarized?

Usually, no. USCIS requires a certification statement, not notarization. Notarization may be requested for other purposes, but it is not typically required for USCIS.

How long does it take?

Turnaround depends on the number of pages and complexity.Most quotes are answered quickly during business hours.

Can I send my documents for review?

Yes. Send your documents and we will confirm what you need and provide a quote.

Ready to Get Started?

Need a USCIS Certified Translation and/or Credential Evaluation?Request a quote today — most quotes are answered within 30–60 minutes during business hours.

Visit: https://www.academicevalservices.com/contact