Marriage-based immigration is one of the most document-intensive USCIS processes. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse from abroad or adjusting status inside the United States, every foreign-language document in your petition must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This checklist covers all translation requirements for both CR-1/IR-1 spousal visas and marriage-based I-485 adjustment of status.
Translation Requirements for Marriage-Based Cases
Under 8 CFR §103.2(b)(3), all foreign-language documents submitted to USCIS must include a complete, certified English translation. For marriage-based cases, this applies to documents submitted across multiple forms: Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), and the DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application).
Two pathways: If your spouse is outside the U.S., you file Form I-130 and the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC), then a U.S. embassy for an immigrant visa interview. If your spouse is already in the U.S., you can file I-130 and I-485 together. Both paths require the same core translation documents.
Marriage-Based Translation Checklist
Use this checklist for your I-130/I-485 marriage-based petition. All foreign-language documents require certified translation.
| Document | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Certificate | Required | The primary document; translate all pages including stamps and registry entries |
| Petitioner’s Birth Certificate | If non-English | Required to prove U.S. citizenship or LPR status |
| Beneficiary’s Birth Certificate | Required | Full translation including all printed fields and official stamps |
| Prior Divorce Decree(s) | Required | All prior marriages for both spouses; complete court judgment all pages |
| Foreign Passport(s) | If non-English | Biographical page and any visa/entry stamps referenced in the case |
| Police Clearance Certificates | Required | For beneficiary; from every country lived in 6+ months since age 16 |
| Military Records | If applicable | Foreign service records for either spouse if relevant to eligibility |
| Court/Arrest Records | If applicable | Any foreign criminal history for either spouse |
Marriage Certificate Translation
The marriage certificate is the single most important document in any marriage-based petition. USCIS uses it to verify that the marriage is legally valid and was entered into in good faith. Translation requirements are strict:
- Translate every element of the document — the form fields, header, footer, registrar’s seal, witness names, and any handwritten notes or annotations
- If your marriage certificate contains a government stamp or embossed seal, translate what it says — even if it is just the name of the issuing office
- For religious marriages, translate both the civil registration document and the religious certificate if both were issued
- If your country issues a multi-page marriage booklet (libreta de familia, livret de famille, etc.), translate all pages that contain relevant information
Name consistency: The names on your marriage certificate, passport, and USCIS forms must match. If your name appears differently across documents (e.g., diacritical marks stripped out), note this in your cover letter and ensure transliterations are consistent across all translations.
Prior Divorce Certificate Translation
If either spouse was previously married, certified translations of all prior divorce decrees are required. USCIS needs to confirm that both parties were legally free to marry at the time of the current marriage.
Translation requirements for divorce decrees:
- Translate all pages of the court judgment — not just the final decree page
- Include the case caption, court name, judge’s name, and date of judgment
- If the divorce was granted by a religious tribunal (e.g., a get or talaq), you may need both the religious document and any civil registration record, both translated
- For divorces from countries with non-Latin scripts, ensure the translator provides phonetic transliterations for all names
Birth Certificate Translation
Both the petitioner’s and beneficiary’s birth certificates may be required. The beneficiary’s birth certificate is almost always submitted; the petitioner’s birth certificate is needed to establish U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status if the document is in a foreign language.
Common translation errors on birth certificates that cause RFEs or delays:
- Skipping pre-printed field labels like “Father’s Name” or “Place of Birth”
- Omitting official stamps or seals from the translation
- Not translating marginal annotations or handwritten corrections on the certificate
- Using different name transliterations than appear on other submitted documents
Certified Marriage Immigration Translations
Official Translations provides USCIS-accepted certified translations for all marriage-based petition documents — marriage certificates, birth certificates, divorce decrees, and police clearances. Every translation includes the required certification statement and is delivered in 24 hours or less.
