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Certified Translation for the Illinois Secretary of State
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If you are applying for a driver’s licence in Illinois and your documents are written in a language other than English, you may need to provide a certified English translation.
Driver licensing in Illinois is managed by the Illinois Secretary of State – Driver Services Department. When official documents are submitted in a foreign language, they must be accompanied by an English translation so the information can be reviewed by licensing officials.
Certling provides certified translations that can support administrative procedures such as driver’s licence applications or identity verification in Illinois.
Translation Requirements in Illinois
Illinois regulations state that documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation.
According to the Illinois Administrative Code, any foreign-language document submitted to the Secretary of State must include:
A full English translation
A signed certification from the translator confirming the translation is complete and accurate
A dated written statement confirming the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English
This ensures that the information contained in foreign-language documents can be clearly reviewed by licensing officials.
Driving in Illinois with a Foreign Driver’s Licence
Visitors may drive in Illinois using a valid foreign driver’s licence for a limited period.
If you become a resident of Illinois, you must apply for an Illinois driver’s licence within 90 days of establishing residency.
Illinois does not recognise an “international driver’s licence” as a separate driving permit. International Driving Permits are simply translations of a foreign licence and must be carried together with the original licence.
If your licence is not written in English, carrying an English translation can help authorities understand the information on your licence.
Driver’s Licence Applications in Illinois
When applying for a driver’s licence in Illinois, applicants must provide documents proving:
Identity
Date of birth
Social Security number (if applicable)
Illinois residency
Signature verification
If any of the documents submitted are written in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation before they can be accepted by the Secretary of State.
Documents That May Require Translation
Documents that may require translation when applying for an Illinois driver’s licence include:
Foreign driver’s licences
Passports
Identity documents
Residency documentation
If these documents are not written in English, a certified translation may be required to ensure they can be reviewed during the application process.
Certified Translations with Certling
Certling provides certified translations suitable for many official uses in the United States, including documents presented during driver’s licence applications.
Our platform allows you to upload your documents securely and obtain a translation prepared by professional translators experienced in official documentation.
Unlike many providers that charge per page, Certling analyses your document and charges only for the words that actually need translating, helping keep costs fair and transparent.
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Whatever your needs, we provide certified translations for a wide range of documents.
Do documents submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State need to be translated into English?
Yes. If documents submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State are written in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by an accurate English translation.
The translation must include a signed certification from the translator confirming that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages.
Does the translation need to be notarized in Illinois?
Illinois regulations generally require the translation to include a written certification from the translator confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.
The rules focus on the translator’s certification rather than notarization. However, requirements may vary depending on the specific document or procedure.
Can I drive in Illinois with a foreign driver’s license?
Visitors may drive in Illinois using a valid foreign driver’s license while they are temporarily visiting the state.
However, if you become a resident of Illinois, you must apply for an Illinois driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency.
Does Illinois recognize international driving permits?
Illinois does not recognize an international driver’s license as a separate driving permit. International Driving Permits (IDPs) are simply translations of a driver’s license and must always be carried together with the original license.
They do not replace a valid foreign driver’s license.
Do tourists need to translate their driver’s license in Illinois?
If a driver’s license is written in a language other than English, it is recommended to carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit.
This can make it easier for authorities or car rental companies to understand the information on the license if it needs to be presented.
What documents may need translation when applying for an Illinois driver’s license?
If you submit documents that are not written in English during a driver’s license application, they may need to be translated.
Examples include:
Foreign driver’s licenses
Identity documents
Immigration documents
Proof of residency documents
Can Certling provide translations for documents used in Illinois?
Certling provides certified translations suitable for many official uses in the United States, including documents presented during driver’s license applications.
If you are unsure whether a translation will be required for your situation, you can speak with the Certling team through the live chat on our website before placing an order.
