When USCIS Asks for Your Marriage Certificate
For an I-130 spousal petition, an I-485 adjustment based on marriage, or to document a legal name change anywhere in your immigration file, USCIS requires the civil marriage certificate — and if it is not in English, a full certified translation filed with a copy of the original.
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Which Document Counts as a Marriage Certificate?
- The civil registration certificate issued by the government registry — the document USCIS wants. Religious certificates alone (church, mosque, synagogue) are generally not sufficient where civil registration exists.
- Extended or long-form versions where your country issues several formats: choose the one naming both spouses, the date, the place and the registry references.
- Prior marriages ended? The divorce decree or death certificate that terminated each prior marriage must also be filed — and translated. An untranslated divorce decree is one of the most common causes of Requests for Evidence in spousal cases.
Marriage-based cases get extra scrutiny. Officers cross-check every name, date and place across your certificate, passports, prior filings and the translations. One inconsistent name spelling can trigger months of delay — send us your passports with the order so every spelling matches.
The Certified Translation: Same Rules, Full Document
The requirements are those of 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), detailed in our USCIS certified translation guide: a complete English rendering — including stamps, seals, marginal notes and the reverse side — plus the translator's signed certification of accuracy and competence. No notarization needed (certified vs. notarized explained).
Your marriage certificate, translated and certified in 24-48h.
Certification statement included, PDF ready for online filing with your I-130 or I-485. From €36 per page, 50+ languages.
Get my certified translationHow to Order
1. Scan everything
The certificate (both sides if printed), any attached apostille, and the divorce decrees or death certificates from prior marriages if applicable.
2. Add your passports
Both spouses' passport copies let the translator lock the exact name spellings used across your case.
3. Receive your certified PDF in 24-48h
Ready to upload; the stamped paper original follows by mail if you file on paper.