Aerial view of Micronesian atoll with coral reef and clear Pacific Ocean waters surrounding the island

Certified Micronesia Document Translation

Q: How long does FSM document translation take?

Standard certified translation is completed within 4-6 business days . We offer express processing for 2-3 business days and rush service within 24 hours for urgent cases. For documents requiring consular legalization through the FSM state courts and Department of Foreign Affairs, allow an additional 15-25 business days . For most US immigration and state agency purposes, certified translation alone is required and can be delivered within standard or express timelines.

Q: Are your translations accepted by USCIS for benefit applications?

Yes. Our certified translations of FSM documents meet USCIS requirements at 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) for all immigration benefit applications including lawful permanent residence, naturalization, family-based petitions, and humanitarian applications. Each translation includes a signed certification statement attesting to the translator's competence in the relevant FSM language and to the accuracy and completeness of the translation.

Professional translation of FSM documents for US immigration under the Compact of Free Association, academic credentials, and legal proceedings. Certified translations in English, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Yapese accepted internationally.

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How FSM Certified Translation Works

Submit Your Documents Securely

Upload clear scans of your FSM documents through our encrypted portal. We accept PDF, JPEG, and PNG formats for birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, and all official records issued by any of FSM's four states — Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Yap — in English or the relevant state language. Our intake specialists review each upload for legibility and note the issuing state's document format before assigning a translator.

Translator Assignment

Your documents are matched with a certified translator experienced in FSM's multilingual documentation landscape. FSM maintains four official regional languages — Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Yapese — alongside English as the national official language. Our translators understand the state-level document formats from each state's court system and vital records office, and the Pacific Micronesian naming conventions that appear on official records.

Translation & Certification

The translator produces a certified translation with a signed accuracy attestation meeting the requirements of USCIS, which handles most FSM immigration matters given the Compact of Free Association with the United States. Each translation includes a certification statement attesting to the translator's competence in the relevant FSM language and English, and to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. For documents requiring authentication for foreign legal proceedings, we advise on the consular legalization pathway through each state court and the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs.

Delivery with Full Certification

Receive your certified translation as a high-resolution PDF via email within 4-6 business days, suitable for electronic submission to USCIS, US state agencies, Australian immigration, and educational institutions. The original certified hard copy with physical translator signature and stamp is shipped via tracked international courier to Guam, Hawaii, the US mainland, or any international destination. Both formats are fully accepted by immigration agencies, courts, universities, and credential evaluation bodies.

FSM Translation Service Specifications

Popular Language Pairs

We support all languages — 100+ language pairs available for FSM documents including English, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, Yapese, and all major world languages.

Common Documents

Birth certificates (issued by each state's Office of Vital Statistics)
Marriage certificates (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Yap state registrars)
Death certificates
Divorce decrees (state court orders)
Academic diplomas and transcripts (College of Micronesia-FSM, Xavier School)
Police clearance certificates
Court orders and judgments (FSM Supreme Court, state courts)
Identity documents and passports
Business registration documents
Employment contracts and references
Medical records and certificates
Land use and property documents

Turnaround Time

Standard certified translation is delivered within 4-6 business days. Express processing available for 2-3 business days, and rush delivery within 24 hours for select document types. For documents requiring consular legalization through the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, allow an additional 15-25 business days.

Certification Details

Each translation includes a signed certification statement attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation from English, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, or Yapese. Our certified translations are accepted by USCIS, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, and IRCC (Canada). The Federated States of Micronesia is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; documents intended for international legal use require consular legalization through the relevant state court, the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, and the destination country's embassy. For US immigration purposes under the Compact of Free Association, certified translation alone is generally sufficient.

FSM Translation Requirements & Regulatory Framework

Embassy Acceptance

Our certified translations of FSM documents are accepted by all major international immigration and credentialing authorities including USCIS (United States), the Australian Department of Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Given the Compact of Free Association between FSM and the United States, USCIS is the most frequently relevant authority — FSM citizens can live and work in the US freely, but immigration documents still require certified translation when submitted for benefit applications. Translations are also accepted by credential evaluation agencies (WES, ECE), US state licensing boards, and universities across the United States, particularly in Guam, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest where the FSM diaspora is concentrated.

Notarization Process

FSM does not operate a civil-law sworn-translator system. Each of the four states — Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Yap — maintains its own court system and vital records office. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other official documents are issued at the state level by each state's Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent registrar. For international recognition, translations must include a signed certification statement from a qualified translator attesting to their competence in the relevant FSM language and to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. This meets the requirements of USCIS, Australian Home Affairs, and other receiving authorities. For documents requiring additional authentication, the relevant state court and the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs provide authentication services.

Apostille Information

The Federated States of Micronesia is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents intended for use in formal foreign legal proceedings must undergo consular legalization: (1) authentication by the relevant state court (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, or Yap); (2) attestation by the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs in Palikir, Pohnpei; and (3) legalization by the destination country's embassy. This process typically takes 15-25 business days. For the majority of FSM document use cases — USCIS applications, US state agency submissions, Australian and New Zealand immigration — a certified translation alone is sufficient without requiring the full legalization chain. DoVisa advises clients on whether their specific situation requires legalization.

Legal Framework

The Federated States of Micronesia operates under a constitutional federal system established by the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia (1979). English is the national official language, while Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Yapese are official languages at the state level. Each state maintains its own court system — the Chuuk State Supreme Court, Pohnpei State Court, Kosrae State Court, and Yap State Court — in addition to the FSM Supreme Court at the national level. The Compact of Free Association with the United States (first signed in 1986, renewed in 2023 as the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act) governs the US-FSM relationship and enables FSM citizens to live, work, and study in the United States without a visa. Vital records are maintained at the state level by each state's Office of Vital Statistics. The FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, headquartered in Palikir, Pohnpei, handles international authentication of documents.

Common Scenarios for FSM Document Translation

US Immigration Under the Compact of Free Association

FSM citizens moving to the United States — including to Guam, Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and other US states — under the Compact of Free Association may need certified translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearances for USCIS benefit applications, US state driver's licenses, Social Security enrollment, and Medicaid eligibility determinations. Our translations meet USCIS and US state agency certification requirements.

Academic Credential Recognition

Students and professionals with qualifications from the College of Micronesia-FSM or other Pacific institutions need certified translations for admission to US universities, credential evaluation by WES or ECE, or professional licensing in US states. We translate diplomas, transcripts, and academic records from FSM's four states with accuracy attestations accepted by US academic and professional bodies.

Family Reunification & Sponsorship

FSM residents sponsoring family members for US benefit programs or immigration processes require certified translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and family relationship documents issued by state-level registrars in Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, or Yap. We translate documents from all four states and ensure consistent handling of state-specific document formats and Micronesian naming conventions.

Employment & Professional Licensing in the US

FSM citizens seeking professional licenses in the United States — in healthcare, education, construction, or other regulated industries — require certified translations of academic credentials and police clearances issued by FSM state authorities. US state licensing boards in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and other states with FSM diaspora communities accept our certified translations for professional license applications.

Legal & Court Proceedings

Legal matters involving FSM parties or documents require certified translations of FSM Supreme Court judgments, state court orders, property documents, and legal contracts. Our legal translation service covers FSM's federal and state court systems, Micronesian customary law contexts, and the terminology of the Compact of Free Association legal framework for recognition in US federal and state courts.

Migration to Australia & New Zealand

FSM citizens seeking residency in Australia or New Zealand require certified translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic credentials for immigration applications. Australia and New Zealand are growing destinations for Pacific Island communities, and our translators are experienced with the Pacific Island document conventions and naming patterns that appear on FSM state-issued records.

FSM's Multilingual Document System: Four States, Four Languages

The Federated States of Micronesia is a uniquely multilingual nation where document translation complexity arises not from a single language but from the interplay of four distinct regional languages and an English national framework. The four states — Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Yap — each maintain their own official state language and their own vital records system, creating a mosaic of document types that can appear unfamiliar to overseas institutions.

Chuukese (also called Trukese) is spoken by the largest population group in FSM and is the language most commonly encountered in Chuuk State vital records annotations, witness statements, and community documents. Pohnpeian, the language of Pohnpei State and the de facto national center (the capital Palikir is in Pohnpei), appears in state-level official correspondence. Kosraean (Kosraean State) and Yapese (Yap State) each have their own official status and document conventions. All four languages are Austronesian Micronesian languages — distinct from one another and from Polynesian languages — and require specialist translators rather than generalist Pacific Island translators.

Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other vital records are issued in English by each state's Office of Vital Statistics, making them formally accessible to overseas authorities. However, names on FSM documents may reflect traditional Micronesian naming patterns or, particularly in older records, reflect Japanese colonial-era naming influences — Japan administered Micronesia as the South Seas Mandate from 1914 to 1945. DoVisa's translators understand all four FSM state languages and the historical and cultural contexts of FSM documentation.

FSM birth certificate issued in English by Pohnpei State Office of Vital Statistics with state seal

FSM vital records are issued at the state level by each of the four states' offices of vital statistics

The Compact of Free Association and FSM Document Needs in the US

The Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States, first signed in 1986 and renewed through the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023, provides FSM citizens with the right to live, work, and study in the United States without a visa. This makes the United States — particularly Guam, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) — the primary destination for FSM emigrants, with an estimated diaspora of 50,000 or more.

Despite the free movement rights under the Compact, FSM citizens in the United States regularly need certified translations of their documents for a wide range of administrative purposes. USCIS requires certified translations when FSM citizens apply for lawful permanent residence, naturalization, or other immigration benefits. US state agencies require certified translations for driver's license applications, professional licensing, Medicaid and public benefit eligibility, and school enrollment. US federal courts and state courts require certified translations in legal proceedings. Because FSM is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the full consular legalization chain — through the state court, the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, and the relevant US consulate — is technically available for court proceedings but is rarely needed for standard administrative purposes in the United States, where certified translation alone meets requirements. DoVisa's certified translations cover all these US-destination use cases and ensure FSM documents meet the technical standards of each receiving authority.

FSM government building in Palikir Pohnpei representing the Compact of Free Association and Department of Foreign Affairs

The Compact of Free Association makes the US the primary destination for FSM emigrants, driving document translation needs

60+FSM Documents Translated

98.6%Acceptance Rate by Authorities

4.6Customer Satisfaction

100+Language Pairs

Kiosaia P.Dec 8, 2025

"Needed my Chuuk State birth certificate translated for USCIS green card application. DoVisa handled the Chuukese name elements correctly and USCIS accepted the certified translation without any requests for evidence. Excellent service."

Roselyn M.Nov 21, 2025

"Translated my Pohnpei marriage certificate for Social Security enrollment in Hawaii. DoVisa's certified translation met all SSA requirements and the process was completed smoothly. Fast and professional."

Jackson S.Oct 14, 2025

"Good service translating my College of Micronesia-FSM diploma for WES credential evaluation. Took the standard 5 days but the quality was thorough and WES accepted it on the first submission. Would use again."

Anna L.Sep 29, 2025

"DoVisa translated my Yap State birth certificate and marriage certificate for USCIS naturalization application. They handled the Yapese name conventions expertly and USCIS accepted both documents. Very impressed."

Thomas K.Aug 17, 2025

"Translated my FSM police clearance and Kosrae State birth certificate for Oregon professional nursing license application. The Oregon State Nursing Board accepted the certified translations. Highly recommend DoVisa."

Maria N.Jul 5, 2025

"Family birth certificates from Chuuk State translated for Medicaid enrollment in Washington State. DoVisa handled all four documents accurately and the Washington State agency accepted everything on the first submission."

Peter F.Jun 11, 2025

"Translated my Pohnpei State court order for legal proceedings in the US. The legal terminology was handled accurately and the US federal court accepted the certified translation without issue. Good overall experience."

Linda C.Jan 25, 2026

"Translated my FSM documents for Australian immigration. DoVisa was professional throughout and the Australian Department of Home Affairs accepted the certified translations for my skilled migration application."

Samuel W.May 19, 2025

"Fast translation of my Chuuk State birth certificate for Hawaii driver's license application. The DMV accepted the certified translation and the process was smooth. Responsive customer service throughout."

Grace T.Apr 30, 2025

"Good experience with DoVisa for translating my FSM diploma and transcripts for NZ immigration. Immigration New Zealand accepted the certified translation for my work visa application. Delivery was on time."

David A.Feb 5, 2026

"Translated my Yap State birth certificate and marriage certificate for IRCC family sponsorship from Canada. IRCC accepted the certified translations and my family reunification application was approved. Great service."

Julie R.Oct 27, 2025

"Translation was accurate but there was a delay in the initial response. Customer support resolved the communication issue quickly and the certified translation was accepted by USCIS without any problems. Satisfactory overall."

Kiosaia P.Dec 8, 2025

Roselyn M.Nov 21, 2025

Jackson S.Oct 14, 2025

FSM Document Translation FAQs

What types of FSM documents can be translated?

We translate all types of Federated States of Micronesia documents including birth certificates from any of the four states (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Yap), marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, academic diplomas and transcripts from the College of Micronesia-FSM and Xavier School, police clearance certificates, FSM Supreme Court and state court judgments, identity documents and passports, business registration documents, employment references, and medical records. All translations are certified and accepted by USCIS, US state agencies, immigration authorities, courts, and educational institutions worldwide.

Do FSM citizens need translation for US immigration under the Compact of Free Association?

FSM citizens can live and work in the United States freely under the Compact of Free Association without needing an immigrant visa. However, certified translations are still required when applying for specific USCIS benefits such as lawful permanent residence or naturalization, and when submitting FSM documents to US state agencies (Social Security, Medicaid, DMVs, professional licensing boards). Our certified translations meet USCIS requirements at 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) and the standards of US state agencies.

Can FSM documents get an apostille?

The Federated States of Micronesia is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so apostille authentication is not available for FSM documents. For immigration applications to the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, a certified translation alone is sufficient. For documents used in formal foreign legal proceedings, consular legalization through the relevant state court and the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs is required. DoVisa advises clients on which pathway applies to their specific situation.

Can you translate documents in Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Yapese?

Yes. Our translators have expertise in all four of FSM's official state languages: Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Yapese. While most official FSM vital records are issued in English, documents may contain names, annotations, or elements in one of the four regional languages. We handle all FSM linguistic contexts accurately and are experienced with the Austronesian Micronesian naming conventions of each state.

How long does FSM document translation take?

Standard certified translation is completed within 4-6 business days. We offer express processing for 2-3 business days and rush service within 24 hours for urgent cases. For documents requiring consular legalization through the FSM state courts and Department of Foreign Affairs, allow an additional 15-25 business days. For most US immigration and state agency purposes, certified translation alone is required and can be delivered within standard or express timelines.

Are your translations accepted by USCIS for benefit applications?

Yes. Our certified translations of FSM documents meet USCIS requirements at 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) for all immigration benefit applications including lawful permanent residence, naturalization, family-based petitions, and humanitarian applications. Each translation includes a signed certification statement attesting to the translator's competence in the relevant FSM language and to the accuracy and completeness of the translation.

What is the consular legalization process for FSM documents?

Since FSM is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, documents intended for foreign legal proceedings require consular legalization: (1) authentication by the relevant state court (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, or Yap); (2) attestation by the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs in Palikir, Pohnpei; and (3) legalization by the destination country's embassy. This typically takes 15-25 business days. For standard US and Australian immigration applications, certified translation alone is sufficient without this legalization chain.

Can you translate College of Micronesia-FSM diplomas for US credential evaluation?

Yes. We translate diplomas, transcripts, and academic records from the College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM), Xavier School, and other Pacific regional institutions. Our translations are accepted by credential evaluation agencies including WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), and NZQA, as well as university admissions offices across the United States, Hawaii, Guam, Australia, and New Zealand.

How much does certified translation of FSM documents cost?

Our pricing follows a transparent per-page model with volume discounts. Documents of 1-5 pages receive one rate, 6-20 pages a reduced per-page rate, and 21+ pages the lowest per-page rate. For an instant quote specific to your documents, use the document upload tool on this page. Consular legalization assistance is available as an add-on service with separate fees.

Are your translations accepted by US state agencies and professional licensing boards?

Yes. Our certified translations of FSM documents are accepted by US state agencies including Social Security Administration, Medicaid, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and professional licensing boards in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and other states with significant FSM diaspora populations. Each translation includes a signed certification statement meeting state agency standards.

Can you translate documents from all four FSM states?

Yes. We translate documents issued by vital records offices and courts in all four FSM states: Chuuk State, Pohnpei State, Kosrae State, and Yap State. Each state has its own document formats, official state language, and naming conventions. Our translators are familiar with all four state-level systems and produce certified translations that meet the standards of US federal and state authorities.

What format will I receive my FSM translation in?

You will receive your certified translation as a high-resolution PDF via email, suitable for electronic submission to USCIS, US state agencies, and other institutions. We also ship the original certified hard copy with physical translator signature and stamp via tracked international courier to any destination including Guam, Hawaii, the US mainland, Australia, or New Zealand. Both formats are accepted by all receiving authorities.

Can you translate handwritten FSM documents?

Yes. We translate handwritten FSM documents including older civil registry records, handwritten annotations on official certificates, and personal affidavits in English or any of the four FSM state languages. For best results, provide the highest quality scan or photograph possible with good lighting and resolution. Our translators are experienced with the handwriting styles and document formats used across all four FSM states.

Are your translations accepted by Australian and New Zealand immigration?

Yes. Our certified translations of FSM documents are accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for all visa categories including skilled migration, family stream, and student visas. While the United States is the primary destination for FSM emigrants under the Compact of Free Association, Australia and New Zealand are growing destinations and our translators are experienced with Pacific Micronesian documentation for these authorities.