Have an interview notice? Send the office, date and time and the language the applicant speaks best, and get a written quote for an in-person interpreter.
Form G‑1256 in four points
- Form G‑1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview, records that you brought your own interpreter to a domestic USCIS interview and that you are satisfied with the interpreter. [1]
- Don't sign it in advance: you and the interpreter sign it in front of the interviewing officer, at the start of the interview. [1][4]
- The interpreter must be fluent in English and your language, competent, impartial and at least 18, and cannot be a witness in your case; your attorney or accredited representative cannot interpret for you at the same time. [2]
- The officer can refuse or stop an interpreter at any point. You can then continue with another acceptable interpreter, reschedule, or go ahead without one. [2]
Published by Rush Translations and Immigrant Services, which provides in-person interpreters for USCIS interviews nationwide. More on the rules: USCIS interpreter requirements.
What Form G‑1256 is
Form G‑1256 is a two-page USCIS form; the current edition is dated 08/10/15. It is not mailed or filed: USCIS tells applicants to bring it to the scheduled domestic interview. [1] According to USCIS, the interviewing officer uses the form to:
- record that an interpreter you provided is present;
- document that you are satisfied with the interpreter's ability to interpret from English to your language and back;
- acknowledge that the interpreter may learn confidential information during the interview;
- make sure the interpreter understands the role, which includes interpreting accurately, literally and fully for you and the officer; and
- tell you that the officer can deny permission for the interpreter to take part. [1]
The instructions add that the form documents the interpreter's ability to provide verbatim consecutive interpretation, and that USCIS may refuse the interpreter for the entire interview or for parts of it. [2]
Which interviews use it
The form is for applicants who bring their own interpreter to a scheduled domestic interview and are eligible to do so. [2] USCIS's interpreter policy memo for field office interviews sets out where that applies:
Form G‑1256 and interview types
| Interview | What applies |
|---|---|
| Green card and adjustment of status | You bring the interpreter, and both of you sign Form G‑1256 at the start of the interview. [4][1] |
| Naturalization | Most applicants must show English, so the field office interpreter policy does not apply unless the applicant qualifies for an exception, such as 50/20, 55/15 or a medical disability exception. [4][7] |
| Affirmative asylum | Excluded from the field office memo. Asylum interviews follow 8 CFR 208.9(g): you bring a competent interpreter, at least 18 [4][5], and the interpreter takes an oath. [6] |
| Interviews with a USCIS-provided interpreter | Excluded from the field office memo. [4] |
For a guide by interview type, see USCIS interpreter services by interview type.
What is on the form
Form G‑1256, section by section (edition 08/10/15)
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Details at the top | The interviewee's name, A-number and native language(s); the interpreter's name, address and telephone number; whether a copy of the interpreter's identity document is attached; and the languages the interpreter uses ("English and …"). [3] |
| Interviewee's declaration | Eight statements: you authorize the interpreter, understand the interpreter may learn your personal information and consent to it, are satisfied the interpreter speaks a language you speak, understand the interpreter must be fluent, competent and impartial, that USCIS may stop the interpreter at any point, that the interpreter is at least 18 and not a witness (or that good cause is needed if not), that your attorney or accredited representative cannot interpret at the same time, and that the whole form was interpreted to you. Then your signature. [3] |
| Interpreter's declaration | Eight statements: the interpreter appears at your request, speaks English and your language fluently, agrees to interpret the officer's questions and your answers accurately, literally and fully, understands the interpreter must be fluent, competent and impartial, agrees not to disclose your personal information, understands that USCIS may collect, retain and verify the identity information provided and may end the interpreter's role, and certifies having interpreted the form to you. Then signature and date. [3] |
| USCIS officer's declaration | The officer records the date you and the interpreter signed in the officer's presence, and the field office. [3] |
| Interpreter's disqualification | Used only if the officer disqualifies the interpreter: the reasons, whether you ask to reschedule to bring a qualified interpreter, and signatures of the officer and a supervisory officer. [3] |
| Withdrawal of interpreter | Used only if you choose to continue the interview without your interpreter. [3] |
How signing works on the day
- Before the interview starts, the interpreter interprets the contents of the form to you. You can print the form in advance or get it from the officer at the interview. [2]
- The oath: USCIS policy says the officer places you and the interpreter under oath, and the declaration is signed after that, in the officer's presence. You can read it in the waiting area, but not sign it there. [4]
- The officer confirms that you fully understand the form, completes it, has you both sign, and places it in your file. [2]
- During the interview, the interpreter interprets consecutively: USCIS policy does not permit simultaneous interpretation or summarizing. [4]
Because the form asks whether a copy of the interpreter's identity document is attached, and the interpreter acknowledges that USCIS may verify the identity information provided, we recommend that the interpreter bring photo identification. [3]
Who can sign as the interpreter
The instructions set the core qualifications: fluent in English and in a language the interviewee understands, competent to interpret as the officer directs, and impartial and unbiased throughout. The officer decides whether the proposed interpreter meets them. [2]
- Age: at least 18. With good cause, USCIS may allow interpreters aged 14 to 17; children under 14 can never interpret. [2][4]
- Witnesses: a witness in the case cannot interpret unless good cause is shown. USCIS policy counts, for example, a petitioner who is not the person being interviewed as a witness. [2][4]
- Attorneys and accredited representatives: they cannot act as your interpreter while representing you, and the officer cannot make an exception. [2][4]
Spouses, relatives and friends are covered in more detail in who can interpret at a USCIS interview.
If the officer refuses the interpreter
The officer can decline to allow an interpreter who doesn't meet the requirements, before or at any point during the interview. If that happens, USCIS offers three options: continue with another acceptable interpreter, reschedule so you can bring an acceptable interpreter, or continue voluntarily without an interpreter. [2] The form's disqualification section records the reasons and your rescheduling request and is signed by the officer and a supervisory officer. [3]
Need an interpreter who knows Form G‑1256?Send the office, date and time from your notice and the language the applicant speaks best. You'll receive a written quote.
Booking an interpreter for a USCIS interview
- Send the notice details through the interpreter request form or by phone at 929-229-0044: the office, date, time and interview type, and the language the applicant speaks best. Live phone support runs 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern, and emails are answered after hours too.
- Get a written quote. It usually follows within 30 minutes during business hours. Urgent requests, including next-day appointments, are accepted subject to interpreter availability. A quote is not yet a confirmed booking.
- Book and receive confirmation. When the booking is paid, a written booking confirmation is sent.
- Contact details two days before. The interpreter and the applicant receive each other's direct contact details by email and agree where to meet.
- Interview day. The interpreter arrives 30 minutes early, signs Form G‑1256 with the applicant where it applies, and interprets everything said, completely and without giving advice.
Every interpreter in the active pool, part of a network of around 1,000 interpreters nationwide, signs an NDA at onboarding, and assignments are screened for conflicts of interest, including USCIS's rule that an asylum interpreter cannot have a pending asylum case of their own that has not been interviewed.
What to send when you book
- A copy of the interview notice, or the office address, date and time
- Interview type: green card, adjustment of status, asylum, naturalization or other
- The language the applicant speaks best
- Whether a petitioner, other family members or an attorney will attend
Frequently asked questions
Should I fill out and sign Form G‑1256 before the interview?
Do I mail Form G‑1256 to USCIS?
No. USCIS says to bring it to your scheduled domestic interview. [1]
Can my spouse sign as my interpreter?
Can the officer stop my interpreter partway through?
Is Form G‑1256 used at my citizenship interview?
Related guides
Book an interpreter for your USCIS interviewIn person, nationwide, in 100+ languages. Send your notice details for a written quote.
Sources
- USCIS, "G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview". uscis.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- USCIS, Instructions for Form G-1256 (edition 08/10/15). uscis.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- USCIS, Form G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview (edition 08/10/15). uscis.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- USCIS, PM-602-0125.1, "The Role and Use of Interpreters in Domestic Field Office Interviews" (January 17, 2017). uscis.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- 8 CFR 208.9(g), Interpreters (asylum interviews). ecfr.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- USCIS, "Preparing for Your Affirmative Asylum Interview". uscis.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- USCIS, "Exceptions and Accommodations" (naturalization). uscis.gov. Accessed October 23, 2026.
Last verified: October 23, 2026. Form details come from the USCIS form, instructions and policy memo listed above. This page is general information, not legal advice.