United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a new form named Form G-1256 that applicants have to bring in if they are accompanied by an interpreter for their domestic USCIS field office interviews. Implemented from May 1, 2017, this would become a mandatory part of all paperwork required for an interview with the USCIS. This is particularly beneficial for elderly parents or other applicants who may not be fluent in the English language.

Form G-1256 outlines –

• Interviewee’s Declaration
• Interpreter’s Declaration
• USCIS Officer’s Declaration
• Interpreter’s Disqualification, if any
• Withdrawal of Interpreter

If the applicant brings his own interpreter for an interview, this form records his presence and documents the applicant’s satisfaction with his abilities to literally and accurately interpret from English to his preferred language. Should the interviewing officer deny permission for said interpreter to participate in the interview, he will offer the applicant an option of either providing another or rescheduling the interview altogether.

This form should be explained to the applicant in a language that he/she is most comfortable with and should acknowledge the same. Given that the interpreter is expected to be impartial and unbiased, attorneys, family members and anyone under the age of 13 is debarred from acting as the applicant’s interpreter.

Please Note

Form G-1256 should be signed only in the presence of an interviewing officer and not earlier which will disqualify the form as well delay proceedings.