Marriage Certificate Translation for USCIS
A certified translation of a foreign marriage certificate is required for spousal green card petitions, naturalization applications listing a spouse, and other family-based immigration filings. As with other vital records, names, dates, and any official seals must match the original exactly.
When Is Marriage Certificate Translation Required?
It's most commonly required for Form I-130 spousal petitions, adjustment of status based on marriage, and naturalization applications that list a spouse, whenever the original marriage certificate isn't in English.
What Details Matter Most in This Translation?
Full names of both spouses, the date and location of the marriage, and any official seals or registrar stamps need to match the original exactly, since these details are cross-referenced against the rest of the petition.
What if the Marriage Certificate Is From a Country With a Different Registration System?
Translators are familiar with a wide range of countries' civil registration formats and will translate the document as issued, including any unique fields or terminology, rather than trying to force it into a U.S.-style format.
Does a Divorce Decree Also Need Translation if There Was a Prior Marriage?
Yes, if a prior marriage and divorce are relevant to the case, such as proving the current marriage is valid, the divorce decree typically needs certified translation as well.
Do Both Spouses' Names Need to Match Other Documents Exactly?
Yes. Any variation in spelling or order between the marriage certificate translation and other documents in the petition, like a birth certificate or passport, can prompt additional questions from USCIS.
How Fast Can a Marriage Certificate Be Translated?
Most marriage certificates translate within 24 to 48 hours, with rush delivery in 1-2 hours available for approaching interview dates or filing deadlines.
Is Notarization Ever Required for a Marriage Certificate Translation?
USCIS itself doesn't require notarization, but if a state agency or another institution involved in the same case does, notarization can be added to the certified translation on request.
Related Service
Marriage Certificate Translation