Form G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form that documents the interpreter you bring to a scheduled domestic interview. The interviewee and the interpreter each make a declaration on it, and the USCIS officer completes the rest. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by USCIS. Do not sign it before the interview.
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What is G-1256?
Form G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview, is the USCIS form that records that an interviewee has provided an interpreter for an interview and is satisfied with that interpreter's ability to interpret between English and a language the interviewee speaks and understands.
According to the USCIS instructions, the form does four things. It documents the interviewee's satisfaction with the interpreter's verbatim consecutive interpretation. It notifies the interviewee that the interpreter may learn confidential information shared with the interviewing officer. It documents that the interpreter understands the requirements of the role, including interpreting accurately, literally and fully for both the interviewee and the officer. And it reminds everyone that USCIS has discretion to deny permission for the interpreter to take part in all or part of the interview.
The form has an Interviewee's Declaration (items A to H), an Interpreter's Declaration (items A to H), a USCIS Officer's Declaration, an Interpreter's Disqualification section and a Withdrawal of Interpreter section. The officer sections are marked for USCIS internal use. The officer places the completed form in the interviewee's file. The form is issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), section 103(a)(3), and the data are covered by the USCIS Privacy Act Statement printed in the instructions.
Who needs to file G-1256?
Interviewees who intend to provide their own interpreter for a scheduled domestic USCIS interview, and who are eligible to bring one, review this form and bring it to the interview. The interpreter signs it too.
Conditions the form and the USCIS instructions attach to the interpreter:
- The interpreter must be fluent in English and a language the interviewee understands, competent to interpret under the officer's guidance, and impartial and unbiased throughout.
- The interpreter must be at least 18 years old and cannot be a witness in the interviewee's case. USCIS may allow an interpreter aged 14 through 17, or a witness in the case, only if the interviewee shows good cause for an exception.
- An attorney or accredited representative cannot serve as the interpreter for his or her own client during the interview.
The interviewing officer decides whether the proposed interpreter meets these qualifications and may decline the interpreter at any time. If that happens, the interviewee is offered the choice to continue with another acceptable interpreter, to reschedule the interview to find one, or to proceed voluntarily without an interpreter.
When to file G-1256
Form G-1256 is used at the interview itself, not before it. Before the interview begins, the interpreter must interpret the contents of the form to the interviewee. You can get the form online beforehand or from the USCIS officer at the interview.
At the beginning of the interview, the officer confirms that the interviewee fully understands the form, completes the officer sections and asks the interviewee and the interpreter to sign in the officer's presence. USCIS stresses on its form page that you must not sign the form before the interview. The form has no separate due date; the instructions tie it to the scheduled domestic interview.
Documents you need
- A copy of the interpreter's identity document: the form asks you to mark Yes or No for whether one is attached to it.
- The interpreter's contact details (name, address and telephone number) so the interviewee and interpreter sections can be completed.
How to fill out G-1256
Get the current form
Download Form G-1256 (edition 08/10/15) or ask the USCIS officer for it at the interview. Bring it to your scheduled domestic interview.
Enter the interviewee's details
Write the Interviewee's Name, the Interviewee's Alien Registration Number after the "A-" and the Interviewee's Native Language(s).
Enter the interpreter's details
Fill in the Interpreter's Name, Interpreter's Address and Interpreter's Telephone Number.
Mark the identity document box
Check Yes or No for Copy of Interpreter's Identity Document Attached.
List the languages used
On Languages Used by Interpreter, English is printed; add the non-English language the interpreter will use.
Have the interpreter read the form
Before the interview begins, the interpreter interprets the whole form to the interviewee, who then reviews the Interviewee's Declaration, items A to H.
Sign in front of the officer
The interviewee signs under Interviewee's Declaration, and the interpreter signs and dates (mm/dd/yyyy) under Interpreter's Declaration, both in the officer's presence, not earlier.
Leave the officer sections blank
The USCIS Officer's Declaration, Interpreter's Disqualification and Withdrawal of Interpreter sections are completed by the officer if they apply.
Review and download the PDF
Check the names, A-number and languages, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, leave the signature lines empty and bring it to the interview.
How to submit G-1256
Form G-1256 is not sent to USCIS in advance: you bring it to your scheduled domestic interview.
- At the interview: Hand the form, with the identifying information filled in and unsigned, to the interviewing USCIS officer. The officer confirms that you understand it, completes the officer sections and asks you and the interpreter to sign in the officer's presence.
- After signing: The officer places the completed form in your file.
- If you did not bring a copy: The officer can give you the form at the time of the interview.
The USCIS form page gives no mailing address, portal or fee for this form. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the USCIS interview process described above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing the form before the interview; you and the interpreter must sign it in the presence of the interviewing officer.
- Bringing an interpreter under 18 or one who is a witness in your case without good cause for an exception, which USCIS must approve.
- Having your attorney or accredited representative act as your interpreter; they cannot serve simultaneously in both roles.
- Skipping the step where the interpreter interprets the whole form to you before the interview begins.
- Filling in the officer sections, the disqualification section or the withdrawal section yourself; the officer completes those.
- Leaving the Languages Used by Interpreter line without the non-English language, or the interviewee's native languages blank.
- Entering a date in a different format than mm/dd/yyyy next to the interpreter's signature.
- Assuming the officer must accept your interpreter; USCIS may disqualify the interpreter before or at any point during the interview.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form G-1256 used for?
Form G-1256 documents that you provided an interpreter for your USCIS interview and are satisfied with the interpreter's ability. It also notifies you that the interpreter may learn confidential information, and records that the interpreter understands the duty to interpret accurately, literally and fully.
When do I sign Form G-1256?
At the interview, in front of the USCIS officer. USCIS says not to sign the form before the interview: you and the interpreter must both sign in the interviewing officer's presence, after the officer confirms you understand the form.
Who can be my interpreter at a USCIS interview?
Someone at least 18, fluent in English and a language you understand, competent to interpret and impartial. Witnesses in your case and people aged 14 through 17 may serve only if you show good cause for an exception. Your attorney or accredited representative cannot interpret for you.
Can I fill out Form G-1256 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it, but leave the signature lines empty. FillingPDF does not send it to USCIS; you bring it to your interview, where you and the interpreter sign in front of the officer.
Where do I submit Form G-1256?
You do not mail it. Bring it to your scheduled domestic USCIS interview and give it to the interviewing officer, who completes it, has you and the interpreter sign, and places it in your file. You can also get a copy from the officer at the interview.
What happens if USCIS rejects my interpreter?
The officer can disqualify the interpreter at any point. You are then offered three options: continue with another acceptable interpreter, reschedule the interview to find one, or proceed voluntarily without an interpreter. The form has sections for the disqualification and for withdrawal of the interpreter.
Who fills in the officer sections of Form G-1256?
The USCIS officer. The Officer's Declaration, Interpreter's Disqualification and Withdrawal of Interpreter sections are for the officer, and the interviewee and interpreter should not complete them.
Is the interpreter allowed to share what is said in the interview?
No. In the Interpreter's Declaration the interpreter agrees not to disclose any personal information about the interviewee or anything else learned in the interview. The interviewee consents on the form to the interpreter learning personal information related to the benefit request.
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