Quick Answer: USCIS requires a certified English translation of every foreign-language marriage certificate submitted with an immigration application. The translation must include a signed Certificate of Accuracy from a translator who is not the applicant. Most marriage certificates are 1-2 pages — total cost is typically $25-$50. Notarization is not required in most cases. Standard delivery is 24-48 hours.
If you are petitioning for a spouse or adjusting your status based on marriage, your marriage certificate is one of the most important documents in your application. It establishes the marital relationship that your entire petition depends on. If it is in a language other than English, USCIS requires a certified English translation submitted alongside it.
This guide covers everything you need to know — which forms require it, what the translation must include, how much it costs, how long it takes, and who is allowed to translate it.
When Do You Need a Certified Marriage Certificate Translation?
A certified marriage certificate translation is required whenever you submit a foreign-language marriage certificate to USCIS. This most commonly happens in family-based immigration cases where the marriage is the basis of the petition. Common situations include:
- Petitioning for a spouse — when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident files to bring their spouse to the United States
- Adjustment of status — when applying for a green card based on marriage while in the United States
- Removing conditions on residence — when a conditional permanent resident applies to remove conditions after a two-year period
- Consular processing — when completing immigration processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad
- Derivative benefits — when a spouse is included as a derivative on another immigration application
If your marriage certificate was issued in a foreign language and you are submitting it to USCIS for any reason, a certified translation is required.
Which USCIS Forms Require a Marriage Certificate Translation?
Marriage certificate translations are most commonly required for the following forms:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) — required in spousal petitions to establish the marriage that qualifies the beneficiary
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) — required to establish eligibility for marriage-based adjustment
- Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) — required to prove the marriage is genuine and ongoing
- Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé, in certain follow-on cases) — where marriage documentation becomes relevant after marriage
Always review the specific instructions for the form you are filing on the USCIS website, as requirements vary by form and case type.
What Must a Certified Marriage Certificate Translation Include?
A USCIS-compliant certified marriage certificate translation has two required components:
1. A complete English translation. Every element of the marriage certificate must be translated — the names, dates, place of marriage, officiant information, registration numbers, and all stamps, seals, and official notations. Partial translations are not accepted.
2. A signed Certificate of Accuracy. This is a formal statement in which the translator certifies that they are competent to translate from the source language to English and that the translation is complete and accurate. It must include the translator's signature, printed name, contact information, and the date.
To see exactly what a Certificate of Accuracy must contain, see our guide: What Is a Certificate of Accuracy?
Need a certified marriage certificate translation for USCIS? Exacta Translation Services provides complete certified translations in Spanish and French to English. $25 per page — most marriage certificates are one page. Certificate of Accuracy always included. Quote sent within 5 minutes.
Get a Free Quote →What Languages Can Marriage Certificates Be Translated From?
USCIS accepts certified translations from any language into English. Exacta Translation Services specializes in Spanish and French to English certified translations — the two most commonly required language pairs for USCIS immigration submissions.
If your marriage certificate is in Spanish, see our Spanish certified translation page. For a marriage certificate in French, see our French certified translation page.
How Long Does a Marriage Certificate Translation Take?
Most certified marriage certificate translations are completed within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the document. Marriage certificates are typically one to two pages with standard formatting, making them fast to translate accurately.
If your immigration application has an upcoming deadline, rush delivery within 24 hours is available for a flat fee of $35 — regardless of page count.
How Much Does a Marriage Certificate Translation Cost?
At Exacta Translation Services, certified marriage certificate translations cost $25 per page. Most marriage certificates are one to two pages, making the total cost $25-$50 for most submissions. The Certificate of Accuracy is always included at no extra charge.
Additional services available if needed:
- Rush delivery within 24 hours — $35 flat fee regardless of page count
- Notarization — $29.99 for the first document, $19.99 for each additional
- Physical delivery by tracked mail — $19.99
For a full cost breakdown across document types, see our guide: How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost in 2026?
Do You Need a Notarized Marriage Certificate Translation?
In most cases, no. USCIS requires a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy — notarization is not required for standard USCIS submissions. Notarization is a separate step in which a notary public witnesses the translator's signature, and USCIS does not ask for it on marriage certificate translations in most cases.
Some courts, state agencies, or other institutions may require notarization. If you are submitting your translated marriage certificate somewhere other than USCIS, check their specific requirements. For a full explanation of the difference, see our guide: Certified Translation vs Notarized Translation — What's the Difference?
Can You Translate Your Own Marriage Certificate for USCIS?
No. USCIS regulations require that the translator be a competent third party who is not the applicant. You cannot translate your own marriage certificate, and neither can a beneficiary translate their own document, regardless of language proficiency.
This requirement exists because the translation must be accompanied by a signed Certificate of Accuracy in which the translator takes personal responsibility for the accuracy of the translation. AI translation tools such as Google Translate and ChatGPT also cannot produce USCIS-compliant translations, because no AI tool can sign a Certificate of Accuracy. For a full explanation, see our guide: Can AI Translate My Immigration Documents for USCIS?
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. USCIS requires that any foreign-language marriage certificate submitted with an immigration application include a complete English translation and a signed Certificate of Accuracy from the translator.
Marriage certificate translations are most commonly required for Form I-130 in spousal petitions, Form I-485 for adjustment of status, and Form I-751 to remove conditions on residence. Always review the specific form instructions on the USCIS website.
In most cases, no. USCIS requires a certified translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Notarization is not required for standard USCIS submissions, though some courts and other institutions may require it.
At Exacta Translation Services the cost is $25 per page with the Certificate of Accuracy always included. Most marriage certificates are 1-2 pages, making the total cost $25-$50 for most submissions.
Standard delivery is within 24-48 hours of receiving your document. Rush delivery within 24 hours is available for a flat fee of $35 regardless of page count.
No. USCIS requires that the translator be a competent third party who is not the applicant. The translator must sign a Certificate of Accuracy confirming their competency and the accuracy of the translation.