How to Get an Official Driver’s License Translation: USCIS, Apostille

An official driver’s license translation can mean one of two very different documents, and picking the wrong one wastes money and time. For most travelers, an International Driving Permit from AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance is the accepted “translation” and costs $20.¹ For immigration filings, license conversions, or authorities that specifically ask for a certified or notarized translation, you hire a qualified translator who provides a signed statement of accuracy. Confirm which one the requesting authority wants before you pay anyone.

Which Document You Actually Need

An International Driving Permit is a standardized booklet that restates your license information in multiple languages, recognized by countries party to international driving conventions. The U.S. Department of State points travelers to an IDP when their destination requires one, and only AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance are authorized to issue them in the United States.²

A custom certified translation is the right document when you’re converting a foreign license to a domestic one, submitting paperwork for residency or immigration, or dealing with an office that specifically requires a certified or notarized translation rather than an IDP. If the country accepts IDPs, paying for a bespoke translation is unnecessary. Check the State Department’s country pages before you decide.³

Getting an International Driving Permit

AAA takes IDP applications online, in person at a branch, or by mail. The permit costs $20, with an added $10 photo fee for online applications. You’ll need two passport-sized photos and your valid U.S. driver’s license.¹

An IDP can’t be issued more than six months before its start date, and it’s only valid when carried with your physical U.S. license. The IDP is not a license on its own. If police stop you or you go to pick up a rental car, you’ll need both documents.¹

Anything sold as an “international driver’s license” by a company other than AAA or AATA is not the real thing. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers run convincing websites selling fake IDPs at inflated prices, and using one abroad can create legal problems.⁴

Types of Certified Translation

When an IDP won’t do, ask the receiving authority which format they require. Getting the wrong one usually means paying to start over.

A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator attesting that it is accurate and complete and that they are competent in both languages. This is the standard format in the United States, including for documents submitted to USCIS.⁵

A notarized translation adds a notary public who verifies the translator’s identity and witnesses the signature on the certification. The notary doesn’t assess translation quality, only who signed the statement. Some foreign governments and schools require this additional step.

An apostille is a government-issued certificate that authenticates the signatures and seals on a document for use in another country. You may need one if the receiving country is among the 129 members of the Hague Apostille Convention.⁶

Some countries, particularly in continental Europe and Latin America, use “sworn translators” registered with local courts. The United States has no equivalent system. If a foreign authority asks for a sworn translation, you’ll generally need to hire a translator registered in that country or a U.S. agency with contacts there.

USCIS Translation Standard

For a foreign driver’s license submitted with an immigration filing, USCIS applies its own rule. Any document in a foreign language must include a full English translation and a signed certification from the translator stating that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.⁷

USCIS doesn’t require the translator to hold a particular credential. A bilingual friend or family member can technically certify a translation, as long as the signed statement carries their name, signature, address, and the date. A professional’s certification carries more weight if a question comes up, and translation errors on immigration paperwork can cause delays or denials that cost far more than the translation itself.

Finding a Qualified Translator

For paid work, look for translators or agencies with recognized credentials. The American Translators Association offers the only widely recognized measure of translator competence in the United States, and ATA certification means the translator has passed an exam in a specific language pair.⁸

You can confirm a translator’s ATA certification through the verification tool on the ATA website. You’ll need the translator’s certification number. Membership and certification are separate; a membership number won’t verify.⁹

Get quotes from two or three services before hiring. Pricing depends on the language pair, document complexity, and turnaround time. A driver’s license is short, usually a single page, but non-Latin scripts or licenses loaded with endorsement categories can push the price up. Rush fees for expedited work are standard.¹⁰

Submitting the License and Checking the Result

Send clear, legible scans of both sides of your license. Every detail has to be readable: license number, categories, restrictions, endorsements, and any codes on the reverse. A blurry photo is the fastest route to an inaccurate translation.

The translator converts every element into the target language, including personal information, vehicle classifications, and any restrictions or conditions, then attaches a signed certification statement. That statement usually sits on company letterhead and includes the translator’s name, signature, contact information, and date.

When it arrives, compare the translation to your original line by line. Check your name, date of birth, license number, and vehicle categories. A single transposed digit can make the whole document useless for official purposes. Confirm the certification is signed and dated and that the translator’s contact information appears on it. Some authorities reject certifications missing those elements.

Adding an Apostille

If the receiving country requires an apostille on your translated document, the federal-level authentication comes from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications. Processing times depend on submission method:

By mail: five or more weeks from the date the office receives your documents.
Walk-in drop-off: about seven business days for processing, with total time closer to two or three weeks.
Emergency appointment: same-day processing, available only when you must travel because an immediate family member abroad has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury.

These timelines cover the federal apostille only.¹¹ Build the extra weeks into your planning. Mailing in documents alone can add more than a month.

Using the Translation Abroad

Carry your original valid U.S. license alongside the IDP or certified translation at all times. The translation is a companion document, not a substitute. Police, rental counters, and government offices will want to see both.

How long a foreign license is honored varies by country. English-speaking countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom generally accept a U.S. license for short visits. Many non-English-speaking European countries require an IDP.²

If you’re moving rather than visiting, most countries impose a deadline, often between three months and a year, after which you must convert to a local license regardless of any translation or IDP. Driving past that deadline on a foreign license can bring fines and insurance problems. Confirm the rules for your specific destination before assuming a translated license will cover an extended stay.³

1
AAA. AAA IDP International Driving Permit
2
Travel.State.Gov. Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad
3
USAGov. International Driver’s License for U.S. Citizens
4
Federal Trade Commission. Planning to Drive in Another Country? Here’s How to Avoid International Drivers Permit Scams
5
American Translators Association. Your Four-Step Guide to Meeting the USCIS Certified Translation Requirements
6
USAGov. Authenticate an Official Document for Use Outside the U.S.
7
eCFR. 8 CFR 103.2 – Submission and Adjudication of Benefit Requests
8
American Translators Association. Certification
9
American Translators Association. Verify ATA-Certified Translator Status
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American Translators Association. How Much Does a Translation Cost
11
U.S. Department of State. Office of Authentications