Quick Answer: If your divorce decree is in a language other than English, USCIS requires a complete certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. It is most often required in marriage-based applications to prove a prior marriage was legally terminated. The entire document must be translated — every page, stamp, and signature — not just the part mentioning the divorce. Divorce decrees are priced per page ($25/page), so the total depends on your document's length.
If you are applying for a green card or petitioning for a spouse and either of you was previously married, USCIS needs to see that the earlier marriage was legally ended. That is where the divorce decree comes in — and if it is in a language other than English, it needs a certified translation. This guide explains when it is required, what USCIS expects, the two document formats we commonly see, and how the cost works.
When Is a Divorce Decree Translation Required?
The most common situation is a marriage-based immigration application where one spouse was married before. To approve the new marriage as the basis of a petition, USCIS needs proof that the prior marriage was legally terminated. A translated divorce decree provides that proof.
Typical cases include:
- Spousal petitions (Form I-130) — proving a prior marriage ended so the current marriage is valid
- Adjustment of status (Form I-485) — establishing eligibility for a marriage-based green card
- Establishing eligibility to remarry — showing that a previous marriage was legally dissolved before the current one began
If a foreign-language divorce decree is part of your immigration record, USCIS will expect a certified English translation alongside it.
The Two Document Formats We See
Divorce documentation does not look the same in every country, and the format affects both what gets translated and what it costs. There are two common cases:
1. A separate divorce decree. This is a court-issued document — often several pages — that includes the proceedings, the terms of the dissolution, and the final resolution. Because it is multi-page, the translation is priced across all its pages.
2. A divorce recorded on the marriage certificate. In some countries the divorce is not a separate document at all — it is recorded as a notation, provision, or amendment directly on the marriage certificate. In that case there is usually a single page to translate.
Some applicants have one of these; some have both. Either format is acceptable to USCIS, as long as the complete document is translated and certified. If you are not sure which you have, you can send us the document and we will tell you.
Need a certified divorce decree translation for USCIS? Exacta Translation Services translates from Spanish and French to English at $25 per page, with a hand-signed Certificate of Accuracy included. Send us your document and we'll confirm the page count and total before you pay. Quote sent within 5 minutes.
Get a Free Quote →The Entire Document Must Be Translated
This is the point applicants most often get wrong. USCIS requires the complete document translated — not a summary, and not only the section that mentions the marriage ending. That means:
- Every page of a multi-page decree
- All court stamps, seals, and official markings
- All signatures and dates
- Any handwritten notations or annotations
A partial translation — even if it captures the key fact that the marriage was dissolved — is not acceptable. The translator must render the full document and certify that the translation is complete and accurate.
What a Certified Divorce Decree Translation Must Include
A USCIS-compliant certified translation has two required parts:
1. A complete English translation of the entire document, formatted so it can be read alongside the original.
2. A signed Certificate of Accuracy in which the translator certifies they are competent to translate from the source language and that the translation is complete and accurate, with their signature, name, contact information, and date.
For a full explanation of the certification, see our guide: What Is a Certificate of Accuracy?
How Much Does a Divorce Decree Translation Cost?
Divorce decree translations are priced per page, because unlike a birth or marriage certificate, a decree can run several pages. At Exacta Translation Services the rate is $25 per page, with the hand-signed certification always included.
What that means in practice:
- A divorce recorded as a one-page amendment on a marriage certificate is typically $25
- A multi-page court decree is $25 × the number of pages — for example, a four-page decree is $100
Because the total depends on your specific document, the most reliable way to get an exact price is to send us the decree — we'll confirm the page count and give you the total before you pay, with no surprises. For a broader cost overview, see our guide: How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost in 2026?
How Long Does It Take?
Most certified translations are completed within 24 to 48 hours. A longer multi-page decree may sit at the upper end of that range. If you have a filing deadline, rush delivery within 24 hours is available for a flat fee of $35.
Related Documents
Divorce decrees are usually submitted alongside other marriage-based documents. If you also need your marriage certificate translated, see our guide: Marriage Certificate Translation for USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your divorce decree is in a language other than English, USCIS requires a complete certified English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. It is most commonly required in marriage-based applications to prove a prior marriage was legally terminated.
Yes. USCIS requires the complete document translated — every page, all court stamps, seals, and signatures. A summary or a translation of only the portion mentioning the marriage ending is not acceptable.
Divorce decree translations are priced per page. At Exacta Translation Services the rate is $25 per page, with the certification included. A multi-page court decree costs more than a single-page document, so the total depends on your decree's length.
It is most commonly required for Form I-130 and Form I-485 in marriage-based cases, where it proves a prior marriage was legally ended so the current marriage is valid. It may also be requested to establish eligibility to remarry.
In some countries a divorce is recorded as a notation or amendment on the marriage certificate rather than as a separate decree. In that case the single document is translated in full. Either format is acceptable to USCIS as long as the complete document is translated and certified.