Guides on documents and USCIS filings
What to translate, which pages matter and what the officer compares. Written for Russian and Ukrainian documents.
Latest articles
Apostille for Russian and Ukrainian Documents Used in the USA
What an apostille is, when USCIS needs it (usually not), who does ask for it, where it is issued in Russia and Ukraine by document type, and how the apostille itself is translated.
Certified vs. Notarized Translation: Which One Do You Need?
Certified and notarized are not two levels of the same thing. One is about the translator, the other is about a signature. Here is who asks for which, and where an apostille fits in.
Diploma and Transcript Translation for WES, ECE and Universities
What credential evaluators expect from a translated Russian or Ukrainian diploma and supplement: literal degree titles, grades kept as printed, and every page. Plus how apostilles and delivery work.
F-1 and H-1B Documents That Need Certified Translation
Diplomas, transcripts, employment letters, work record books and civil documents for dependents: what to translate for a student or work visa, and how to keep it consistent with the DS-160.
Form I-130: Which Russian and Ukrainian Documents Need Translation
The I-130 proves a family relationship, and most of that proof is on paper issued in Russian or Ukrainian. Here is what to translate, how to keep names consistent, and where packets go wrong.
Form I-485 Translation Checklist: Every Document That Must Be in English
The I-485 packet is the largest set of foreign documents most applicants ever file. This checklist walks through what has to be translated, the birth certificate rules, and what to do when USCIS asks for more.
Form I-765: Which Supporting Documents Need a Certified Translation
The I-765 is a short form, but the evidence behind it changes with your category. Here is what Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking applicants usually need to translate, which passport pages count, and when to order.
Form N-400: Which Foreign Documents Need Certified Translation
Naturalization is mostly built on U.S. records, but N-400 asks about your whole life. Here is which Russian and Ukrainian documents may need a certified translation, and how to keep your name consistent across the file.
How Certified Translation Pricing Works, and How to Get a Fixed Quote
Per word or flat rate, how the unit is defined, why one birth certificate gets three different prices, what the certificate should include, and which extras are real. Read any quote and know what you are paying for.
How to Photograph or Scan a Document for Certified Translation
A clear scan is the first step to a translation USCIS will accept. Here is how to capture every page, stamp and margin so nothing is missed.
Order a certified translation from POVO
POVO translates Russian and Ukrainian documents into English, with a signed certificate of accuracy. Upload the document, see the price and the date, pay when you are ready.