Form G-1256: Understanding Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview

Form G-1256 is a critical document used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Its primary purpose is to facilitate clear communication during USCIS interviews by documenting the use of an interpreter. Candidates who are not proficient in English must provide their own interpreter, and Form G-1256 serves as official confirmation of this arrangement.

Key functions of the form include:

• Verification: It verifies the presence of an interpreter during the USCIS interview.
• Consent: The interviewee authorizes the interpreter to act on their behalf for accurate communication.
• Record Keeping: USCIS maintains a formal record demonstrating that the interviewee is satisfied with the interpreter’s abilities.

The form ensures that the language interpretation is:

• Consecutive: The interpreter must provide verbatim interpretation one sentence at a time, ensuring no information is paraphrased or omitted.
• Bidirectional: Interpretation is required for both English to the interviewee’s language, and vice versa.

Importantly, Form G-1256 is not to be signed prior to the interview. It mandates that both the interviewee and the interpreter sign the form in the presence of the interviewing officer. This process upholds the integrity of the information exchanged during the interview and ensures accountability for the interpretation services provided.

Form G-1256 is a crucial document for non-English speakers during USCIS interviews, ensuring their understanding and participation through an interpreter.

Qualification Requirements

• The interviewee must provide their own interpreter.
• The interpreter should be fluent in both English and the interviewee’s language, capable of providing verbatim consecutive interpretation.
• The interviewee must express satisfaction with the interpreter’s abilities before the interview proceeds.

Limitations and Restrictions

• USCIS does not permit the use of family members or friends under the age of 18 as interpreters.
• The interpreter cannot have a vested interest in the outcome of the interview, such as being a legal representative or a beneficiary of the application being reviewed.
• It’s imperative that the interpreter is impartial and adheres strictly to accurate interpretation without giving personal opinions or advice during the interview.

Form G-1256 is essential for non-English speakers who require an interpreter during their USCIS interview. The form must be completed accurately to ensure clear communication and proper record-keeping during the immigration interview process.

Required Documents

• Form G-1256: The applicant must obtain the latest version of Form G-1256 from the USCIS website.
• Identification: The applicant and the interpreter must present valid identification documents at the time of the interview.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Obtain Form: The applicant should first download Form G-1256 from the USCIS official website.
2. Interpreter Information:
   • The interpreter must enter their full legal name, address, and other contact information in the designated fields.
   • The interpreter’s relationship to the interviewee must also be disclosed on the form.
3. Interviewee Information:
   • The applicant must fill in their personal details, including their USCIS Alien Registration Number.
4. Interpretation Details:
   • The form requires explicit agreement from the interpreter that they are fluent in both English and the interviewee’s language and are impartial.
5. Signature Requirement:
   • Both the interviewee and the interpreter must sign the form, but only in the presence of the USCIS interviewing officer.
   • Signing the form before the interview is not permitted and the form is typically signed at the time of the interview.
6. Record of Presence: The USCIS officer uses Form G-1256 to officially record the interpreter’s presence and participation in the process.

The submission process for Form G-1256 is critical for individuals requiring an interpreter during their USCIS interview. It involves specific filing locations, acceptable submission methods, and adherence to particular deadlines and processing times.

Where to File

USCIS Local Office: An applicant should bring the completed Form G-1256 to their scheduled USCIS interview. It is not submitted beforehand but is to be signed and submitted in person at the time of the interview.

Acceptable Methods of Submission

In Person: The interviewee and the interpreter must sign Form G-1256 in the presence of the interviewing officer during the USCIS interview.

Deadlines and Processing Times

• Deadline: Form G-1256 does not have a pre-submission deadline but must be completed and presented at the time of the USCIS interview.
• Processing Time: There is no separate processing time for Form G-1256 as it becomes part of the interviewee’s record during the interview process.

Once Form G-1256 is submitted, applicants can expect a process that includes confirmation of receipt, the ability to track the form’s status, and a mechanism to address any issues that arise.

Receipt and Acceptance Confirmation

After an applicant submits Form G-1256, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a Receipt Notice. This notice confirms that the form has been received and is under processing. They should retain this notice as it contains a receipt number pertinent to their case.

Tracking and Status Updates

Applicants can track the status of their Form G-1256 by entering their Receipt Number on the USCIS website’s case status tool. Updates on the form’s processing stages will be communicated through this platform, enabling applicants to follow the progression of their submission.

Issues and Resolutions

Should the applicant encounter issues, such as processing delays or requests for further information, they can contact the USCIS Contact Center for solutions. Detailed records of conversations and correspondence with USCIS may aid in the efficient resolution of problems.

This section provides essential contact details, frequently asked questions, and a glossary of terms related to Form G-1256, ensuring applicants have all necessary information when preparing for their USCIS interview.

Contact Information

USCIS National Customer Service Center:

• Phone: 1-800-375-5283
• TTY: 1-800-767-1833
• Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time

Local Field Office:

• To find the closest USCIS Local Field Office, one can visit the USCIS office locator on the official website.

• USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency managing the nation’s immigration system.
• Interviewee: The individual applying for an immigration benefit and required to attend a USCIS interview.
• Interpreter: A person who translates the spoken word from one language to another. They must be fluent in both English and the interviewee’s language.
• Form G-1256: A declaration form used to document the presence and qualifications of an interpreter during a USCIS interview.