Certified Translation Services by State
Certified translations for every US state, prepared online by professional human translators. Our state and city pages explain what local DMVs, courts and vital records offices ask for, with links to the official sources.
Federal agencies such as USCIS and the immigration courts apply the same translation rules in every state. State offices do not: DMVs, state courts, vital records offices and licensing boards each set their own. Our guides collect those rules for eight large states and nine metro areas, so you know what to ask for before you order.
- We work online and serve customers in every state; there are no local offices to visit
- Each state page lists the rules of its DMV, courts, vital records office and licensing boards, with sources
- City pages add local immigration courts, consulates and county clerks
State Translation Guides
One rule from each state shows how much they differ. Each state page explains the rest.
| State | One state rule on translated documents | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| California | Foreign-language exhibits in civil law and motion proceedings need an English translation certified under oath (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1110(g)) | California |
| Florida | Florida notaries may not certify a translation, but they may notarize the translator's signature on an affidavit of accuracy | Florida |
| Georgia | County probate courts, such as DeKalb, ask for a translation by a certified translator of any legal document not in English for a marriage license | Georgia |
| Illinois | IDPH asks for a certified English translation of a foreign birth record and adoption decree for a Record of Foreign Birth | Illinois |
| Massachusetts | The RMV asks for a certified translation of any document not in English and lists what the certification must include | Massachusetts |
| New York | Foreign-language court papers need an English translation and the translator's affidavit of qualifications and accuracy (CPLR 2101(b)) | New York |
| Texas | A license not in English or Spanish needs a translation from a translation service or a consulate before you arrive in Texas | Texas |
| Virginia | A Virginia birth certificate for a child adopted abroad needs a certified translation of a foreign adoption order not in English | Virginia |
Each state page links to the official source for every rule it describes. Rules change, so check with the office before you file.
Foreign Driver's Licenses: How the States Compare
Driver's licenses show how far state rules drift apart. These are the rules each state's licensing agency publishes for drivers with a license from another country.
| State | New residents | Translation rule for a foreign license |
|---|---|---|
| California | California license within 10 days | AB 60 applicants need a certified translation or an affidavit of translation for a license not in English |
| Florida | Florida license within 30 days | Visitors may drive on a valid home-country license; since February 6, 2026, license exams are given only in English |
| Georgia | Georgia license within 30 days | DDS says all documents must be in English and it does not accept translated documents, apart from a narrow exceptions process |
| Illinois | Not covered in our guide | Any document submitted to the Secretary of State needs a full English translation, certified complete and accurate, with a signed competence statement |
| Massachusetts | No grace period | Visitors need an International Driving Permit or an English translation if the license is not in English |
| New York | New York license once you become a resident | For the road test, a translation must be certified by a consulate, the State Department or another government agency, or you bring an International Driving Permit |
| Texas | Texas license within 90 days | A license not in English or Spanish must be translated by a translation service or your consulate |
| Virginia | Virginia license within 60 days | A visitor's license should be accompanied by a translation; an International Driving Permit is only a translation, not a license |
Each state page links to the agency's own page for these rules. Our driver's license translation covers both sides of the card, but where a state asks for a consulate or government translation, ours does not meet that rule.
City Translation Guides
Local immigration courts, USCIS offices, consulates, county clerks and the languages spoken in each area.
New York City
Immigration courts, NYC agencies and five boroughs
Houston
USCIS, four immigration courts and Harris County
Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas and Fort Worth courts, Dallas and Tarrant counties
Miami
South Florida USCIS offices and Miami-Dade
Chicago
Chicago Immigration Court and local languages
San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose
Washington, DC
DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland
Boston
Boston and Chelmsford immigration courts
Atlanta
Atlanta immigration courts and metro probate courts
Federal Rules Are the Same in Every State
USCIS applies one rule nationwide. Every foreign-language document needs a full English translation, with the translator's certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)). Notarization is not required.
Immigration courts follow 8 CFR 1003.33. A foreign-language filing needs an English translation and a certification signed by the translator, stating competence and accuracy. EOIR's practice manual adds that the certificate must show how to reach the translator by mail and phone.
So for a USCIS translation, your state makes no difference. State pages matter when the document goes to a state office.
Where State Rules Differ
These are the state offices that set their own translation rules, and what to check before you order.
| Office | What varies by state |
|---|---|
| DMV or driver licensing office | Who may translate a foreign license, how long visitors may drive on one, and which countries have license reciprocity |
| State courts | Whether the translator signs an affidavit, a sworn statement or an unsworn declaration, and the deadline for serving it |
| Vital records office | What a foreign adoption or foreign birth record needs before the state issues its own certificate |
| Licensing boards | Whether a translation is enough or a credential evaluation is required first, and whether it must be notarized |
| Notaries | Whether a notary may certify a translation or only notarize the translator's signature |
Notarization is available on request; contact us before you order. We do not obtain apostilles or mail hard copies.
Your State Is Not Listed?
We translate for customers in every state, at the same price and with the same signed certificate. The guides above cover eight states with large immigrant communities.
If your document is for a state office we do not cover yet, tell us the office when you order. We prepare the translation for that office, and our support team can answer questions 24/7 at +1 415 320 6727.
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Certified Translation in Every State Pricing
One flat rate covers your document in full. The total is shown before you pay.
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy on every order
- Same price in every state and every language
- Prepared for USCIS, courts, DMVs and licensing boards
- 24 hour standard delivery for documents up to 3 pages
- Free revisions for 14 days after delivery, full refund if an authority rejects a certified translation
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100% Acceptance Guarantee
If the state or federal office your translation was prepared for rejects it because of the translation, send us the rejection notice and we will refund your order in full. Free revisions are included for 14 days after delivery; after that, a small revision fee applies.
Related Guides
- Who can legally certify a translation?: the rules for USCIS and other authorities
- Notarized vs certified vs sworn translation: which one an office is asking for
- Driver's license translation: do you need it notarized?: what DMVs and insurers usually ask for
Translation Services by State: Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
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