Farsi to English Translation for USCIS: What You Need to Know

The landscape of international protection and global migration has shifted dramatically. As of mid-2025, the UNHCR reported that over 117.3 million people remain forcibly displaced worldwide. A significant portion of this surge involves Afghan and Iranian nationals, with over 1.5 million Afghans returning or being processed through Iran in 2025 alone. For those now seeking status in the U.S., the surge has led to one thing: increased USCIS scrutiny.

Nowadays, a "close enough" translation is no longer an option. USCIS has accelerated its digital-first processing, meaning your Farsi or Dari documents — from Shenasnamehs (Iranian ID) to Tazkiras (Afghan ID) — must be machine-readable, perfectly formatted, and 100% compliant with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). A single typo in a Solar Hijri date conversion or a missed marginal note can trigger a Request for Evidence (RFE), adding 6–9 months of delay to your case.

Expanding your legal footprint in the United States starts with one simple but powerful step: ensuring your evidence is beyond reproach. Understanding the complexity of Farsi to English translation is essential to planning an effective immigration strategy. Whether you are applying for a family-based Green Card, an employment visa, or asylum, speaking the language of the USCIS officer through accurate documentation builds trust and drives approvals. Studies show that well-documented cases are processed significantly faster, avoiding the "black hole" of administrative processing.

In this guide, we’ll break down the specific challenges of Farsi-to-English translation, compare different service models, and provide a roadmap to ensure your paperwork is accepted on the first try.

What Qualifies as a USCIS Certified Translation?

USCIS requirements are strict and non-negotiable. They demand a translation that is complete, accurate, and readable in English, accompanied by a signed certification from the translator. In the context of Farsi to English translation, "complete" is the word that causes the most trouble. It means every single character on the page — including stamps, ink seals, marginal notes, and even back-page notations — must be translated. If an officer sees a Persian seal that isn't reflected in the English text, they may deem the evidence incomplete.

The certification letter is the "safety net" for your application. It must confirm that the translator is competent to translate from Farsi (or Dari) to English and that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original. This is the core requirement under federal regulations (see USCIS rules for translated documents).

Common Certification Pitfalls

Most rejections and RFEs start with avoidable technical mistakes. These include:

• Partial Submissions: Translating the main text of a birth certificate but skipping the marginal notes that detail marriage or name changes.
• Missing Contact Info: A certification that lacks the translator’s printed name, signature, or contact details is essentially a "blank" document to an officer.
• Inconsistent Dates: Farsi documents often use multiple calendar systems. Failing to provide a clear conversion can lead to "data mismatch" errors.

To avoid these delays, your workflow must include a completeness check that accounts for the specific eccentricities of Persian civil records.

Challenges in Translating Farsi to English for USCIS

Farsi (and its Afghan variant, Dari) documents present challenges that go far beyond simple vocabulary. They are written in the Perso-Arabic script, which flows from right to left, and they often contain densely packed handwritten notes that even native speakers can find difficult to decipher.

1. The Script and "Mirror Formatting"

When you translate from a right-to-left (RTL) language like Farsi to a left-to-right (LTR) language like English, the visual structure of the document is often lost. Nowadays, USCIS officers increasingly prioritize "Mirror Formatting." This means the English translation should visually "mirror" the original. If the signature of the registrar is in the bottom-right of the Persian Shenasnameh, its English translation should be clearly marked in the bottom-left of the English page. This allows the officer to cross-check both documents at a glance, reducing the time they spend searching for corresponding fields.

2. The Solar Hijri Calendar Trap

The cultural and administrative gap between the East and West is most visible in the calendar. Iran and Afghanistan primarily use the Solar Hijri calendar. If a document lists a birth date as 1370/06/31, a literal translation of "1370" is useless to a U.S. official. Now, it is standard practice to provide the Gregorian equivalent — September 22, 1991 — within brackets. Without this, your application may be flagged for having "impossible" dates.

3. Transliteration and Identity Mismatches

Persian names can be transliterated in various valid ways. A name like محسن can be written as Mohsen or Moussen. If your visa application says "Mohsen" but your translation says "Moussen," you have created an identity mismatch. In a high-security environment, these small discrepancies are red flags for fraud.

Common Use Cases for Certified Farsi Translation

Certified translation is required for any non-English document submitted as evidence. In the Persian context, this usually falls into three categories:

Civil and Identity Records

The most common documents include the Iranian Shenasnameh (Identity Booklet) and the Afghan Tazkira. These are complex booklets that contain a person's entire civil history, including birth, marriage, divorce, and children. Other essential records include Marriage Certificates (Sanad-e Ezdevaj) and Divorce Decrees.

Humanitarian and Asylum Evidence

Asylum seekers from Iran and Afghanistan often need to translate narratives, threat letters, and police reports. Because these documents are often handwritten or printed on low-quality paper with faded stamps, they require a higher level of subject-matter expertise. With forced displacement reaching record levels in 2025/2026, the demand for precise, asylum-focused translation has never been higher. For more on these requirements, see the USCIS asylum information page.

Professional and Academic Path

For those pursuing H-1B or O-1 visas, or applying for an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), academic transcripts and professional licenses from Iranian universities are critical. These must be translated with accurate terminology that aligns with the U.S. educational system.

Decision Framework: Professional vs. DIY Translation

Many applicants wonder if they can save money by having a bilingual friend translate their documents. While technically possible, it is a high-risk strategy that often ends in costly RFEs.

The "cost" of a professional translation is far lower than the cost of a six-month delay in your Green Card process. Now, when the "Digital-First" USCIS system relies on machine-readable PDFs, the quality of the scan and the text layer is paramount.

Why Choose MotaWord for Farsi to English Translation?

MotaWord has built a specialized workflow designed specifically for Farsi-to-English immigration evidence. We combine human expertise with cloud-based technology to deliver results that traditional agencies cannot match.

• Speed and Scalability: Our collaborative model allows multiple translators to work on your document packet simultaneously. This means a 20-page asylum file can be delivered in hours, not weeks.
• Specialized Persian Expertise: We don't just hire "translators"; we hire experts who understand the legal terminology of Tehran and Kabul. We know the difference between a revolutionary court stamp and a civil registry seal.
• Consistency via Technology: We use translation memory and terminology glossaries. If your name appears on page 1 and page 100, we ensure the spelling remains identical across the entire packet.
• Secure and Confidential: We handle sensitive immigration data through encrypted channels, ensuring your personal history remains private.

If you are ready to see how we handle certified packets end-to-end, visit our platform here.

Farsi Translation FAQ

Does USCIS require the translation to be notarized?

No. This is a common myth. Since 2011, USCIS has only required certification. A signed statement from a competent translator is all that is needed. Notarization is sometimes required for other legal processes, but for immigration, the certification letter is the gold standard.

Can a family member translate my Farsi documents?

Technically, any person fluent in both languages can provide a certified translation. However, doing so is highly discouraged. USCIS officers often view translations by family members as a conflict of interest, particularly in marriage-based or asylum cases where the stakes of "improving" a narrative are high. It is always safer to use an independent third party.

How long does a certified Farsi to English translation take?

For standard civil documents like a Shenasnameh or a marriage certificate, MotaWord typically delivers in under 12–24 hours. Larger, more complex humanitarian files may take longer, but our crowdsourced model ensures we remain the fastest option in the industry.

Can Afghan Dari documents be translated under Farsi translation services?

Yes. While Farsi and Dari are distinct dialects with different regional vocabularies and spellings, they are mutually intelligible. However, your translator should be specifically aware of Afghan administrative terms (like the Tazkira) to ensure the English terminology is accurate.

Is Google Translate or AI-based translation acceptable for USCIS?

No. While AI can draft text, it cannot provide the Certification of Accuracy required by 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Furthermore, AI often struggles with the complex right-to-left layout and handwritten stamps found in Persian documents, leading to "hallucinations" or missing data.

Your Next Step Toward a Successful Filing

The story of the modern-day immigration surge is one of high stakes and high scrutiny. With more than 100 million people displaced, the U.S. immigration system is under unprecedented pressure. In this environment, your documents are your first impression. A perfectly translated, certified, and formatted Farsi packet signals to the USCIS officer that your application is professional and honest.

From the complex script of a Shenasnameh to the delicate narratives of an asylum claim, MotaWord provides the global edge needed to succeed. We take the stress out of your case preparation so you can focus on the future.

Ready to ensure your documents are USCIS-ready? Get started with MotaWord Certified Translation today — trusted by thousands.