Certified Translation for Marriages Abroad
A certified translation for a marriage performed abroad renders your foreign marriage certificate (and, if either spouse was previously married, a divorce decree) into English with a signed Certificate of Accuracy, the document USCIS requires before approving a spousal visa petition. Cloud Translate delivers it at $18 per page in 24–48 hours, well under what most competitors charge, with a 100% acceptance guarantee.
Why Choose Cloud Translate
- Certified translations accepted by USCIS for spousal visa petitions and by state vital records offices
- 100% acceptance guarantee, free revisions if a document is ever rejected on translation accuracy
- $18 per page standard, about half what several competitors charge for the same certification
- 24–48 hour standard turnaround, with expedited options for petition and interview deadlines
- Every translation double-checked by a second linguist before delivery
Common Situations
Marrying abroad leads to a few different paperwork paths, depending on what you do next:
- Filing a spousal visa petition (CR-1/IR-1)
- needs the foreign marriage certificate translated, plus a divorce decree if either spouse was previously married.
- Registering a foreign marriage with a state vital records office or the Social Security Administration
- usually needs the marriage certificate translated to support a name change.
- Marrying abroad under a country's civil requirements
- some countries require an affidavit of single status or certificate of no impediment, which may need translation in either direction.
- Bringing a foreign spouse to the U.S. after marrying abroad
- often needs the marriage certificate, and sometimes a foreign divorce decree, translated together in one petition.
Documents You'll Likely Need to Translate
Depending on your situation, one or more of these usually needs to be translated and certified:
- Marriage Certificate Translation — The core document for nearly every marriage-abroad situation.
- Divorce Decree Translation — Required if either spouse was previously married.
- Affidavit Translation — For a certificate of no impediment or affidavit of single status.
Where This Goes: USCIS
A marriage abroad most often leads to a spousal visa petition, Form I-130, filed with USCIS by the U.S. citizen or resident spouse. Once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center and then a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for the visa interview, so translated documents typically support both the USCIS petition and the consular step. See our USCIS Certified Translation page for the full requirement.
Certified vs. Notarized — Which Do You Need?
- Certified translation
- A signed Certificate of Accuracy, what USCIS expects for an I-130 petition.
- Notarized translation
- A notary witnesses the translator's signature; USCIS doesn't require this, but some foreign civil registrars or consulates ask for it anyway, so confirm before you order.
Sample certified translation documents
Your certified translation is delivered as a digital PDF with an official Certificate of Translation Accuracy, signed and stamped by the translator and Cloud Translate. We apply basic formatting to keep it readable, but we do not replicate the design of your source document.
The certification includes:
- A statement confirming the translation is complete and accurate.
- The document description and language pair.
- The translator’s signature and qualifications.
- Cloud Translate’s signature, stamp, letterhead, and contact information.
How It Works
From upload to certified PDF in four steps.
Upload the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or affidavit you need translated.
Get a free quote and choose standard, expedited, or same-day delivery.
A professional translator completes the translation; a second linguist checks it for accuracy before delivery.
Receive your certified PDF by email, ready to file with your petition, with notarization and hard-copy mail available.
01 — Send us your document
Step 1 of 4
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions.
What people ask before ordering a translation for marriages abroad.
How long does a certified translation for marriage-abroad documents take?
Most are completed within 24–48 hours. Expedited and same-day delivery are available when a petition or visa interview deadline is close.
Will my translated marriage certificate be accepted by USCIS for a spousal visa petition?
Yes. Every translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy meeting USCIS requirements under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
I got married abroad. Do I file with USCIS or with the embassy?
Typically both, in sequence. The U.S. citizen or resident spouse files Form I-130 with USCIS first; once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center and then a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for the visa interview. Translated documents usually support both stages.
Do I need my divorce decree translated too?
If either spouse was previously married, yes. Most petitions require proof the prior marriage legally ended before the new one can be recognized.
Can a friend or family member translate our marriage certificate instead?
No. USCIS and most agencies require a disinterested third-party translator, not you, your spouse, or a relative. A translation from someone connected to the case is typically rejected.
Do I need a notarized translation, or is certified enough?
Most USCIS filings only require a certified translation. Some foreign civil registrars or consulates request notarization instead, so confirm before you order.
What is a certificate of no impediment or affidavit of single status, and do I need one translated?
Some countries require this document, confirming you're legally free to marry, before they'll register a foreign national's marriage. If yours was issued in English and the local registrar needs it in another language, or vice versa, we can translate it.
Can you translate marriage certificates from religious ceremonies performed abroad?
Yes, both civil registry certificates and religious marriage certificates recognized by the civil authority, from any country.