Marriage Certificate Translation for U.S. Spouse Visa

When you finally marry the person you love, it’s natural to hope the hardest part is over—no more wedding stress, paperwork, or planning. But if you're a U.S. citizen married to someone from another country, the honeymoon phase can quickly turn into a maze of immigration paperwork, visa steps, and tight deadlines.

Yes, marrying a U.S. citizen is one of the most direct ways to apply for a Green Card, but the process is rarely easy. Couples often wait years and spend thousands of dollars on legal fees and filing costs. One of the first things that catches people off guard? Document translation, especially if your marriage certificate isn’t in English.

If your spouse comes from a non-English-speaking country, like Mexico, Brazil, or France, you’ll likely need to translate your marriage certificate to English before submitting it to USCIS. This adds another layer to an already complex and costly process.

In this article, we’ll explore what couples go through when trying to bring their foreign-born spouses or fiancés to the U.S. We’ll also highlight steps you can take to make things go a little more smoothly.

And in the second half, we’ll focus specifically on marriage certificate translation services—breaking down what you need to know, including:

• How to get a certified translation of a marriage certificate
• How much a wedding certificate translation typically costs
• Who’s qualified to translate your marriage certificate into English
• How to pick the right agency for marriage license translation
• What the process looks like for submitting your documents
• How long translating a marriage certificate to English usually takes

Let’s get right into it!

Applying for a Green Card Through Marriage

You’ve got your marriage certificate in hand and your spouse by your side; so what comes next? Let’s talk about the reality of the marriage-based green card process

Getting a Green Card through marriage sounds easy on paper. It’s often simpler than applying for a job or an asylum claim. But that doesn’t mean it’s stress-free.

USCIS is extremely careful when reviewing marriage-based applications. They want to be sure your marriage is legitimate and not just for immigration benefits. That means you’ll need more than just a wedding certificate translation and some photos together. You’ll be asked for proof of your shared life, and even small issues in your spouse’s immigration history can delay or derail your plans.

If your spouse entered the U.S. without permission, overstayed a visa, or worked without a permit, you’re likely in for a bumpy road. Sadly, many people find out too late that even a short visa overstay can result in a 10-year bar from reentering the U.S.

You’ll find countless stories like this on sites such as myimmigrationstory.com:

“We continued living together till we went to a lawyer and he advised me to go back to England as that’s the only way for my hubby to apply a petition for me. Meanwhile we took his advice I came back to UK so when he tried to process for me the petition we found out that I have ban for 10 years as I overstayed my visa more than 1 year.” — Londoner, Oregon

Depending on your situation, your spouse’s immigration process could take less than a year, or it could stretch into decades. If your documents aren’t in English, you’ll also need to translate your marriage certificate into English and submit a certified marriage certificate translation with your petition. Skipping this step could lead to delays or rejections from USCIS. Check out our complete guide for official translation to learn more.

Marriage-Based Green Card Fees and Marriage Certificate Translation

Like most legal processes, applying for a marriage-based Green Card isn’t cheap. And the official USCIS filing fees are just the beginning.

You'll also need to budget for things like document translation, legal consultations, and travel or housing expenses, especially if your spouse is living abroad. If your marriage certificate isn’t in English, you’ll need a certified translation of your marriage certificate as part of your application. Services that translate marriage certificates to English vary in price depending on the language and turnaround time, but skipping this step can cause serious delays.

Take American citizen Lauren Krupp and her Cuban husband Doriel Acosta, for example. They say that they had to pay more than $20,000 during the application process, and the travel and accommodation fees alone cost more than $12,500.

It is also possible to come across fraudulent lawyers when you are looking for legal help. To avoid scam artists looking to prey on the vulnerable, you should always choose the legal firms you are working with very carefully.

“My recent lawyer was indicted for scam. I lost my job 5 weeks ago because my lawyer was arrested and he kept all my documents to return to work.” — Denise

Paperwork Overload: Forms and Marriage Certificate Translation

The first official step toward getting a Green Card through marriage is filing Form I-130 and Form I-130A with USCIS. Form I-130 covers the U.S. citizen or Green Card holder (the petitioner), while Form I-130A focuses on the foreign spouse (the beneficiary).

Along with these forms, you’ll need to submit several supporting documents, including:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (passport, birth certificate, or Green Card)
• Your marriage certificate
• Evidence that your marriage is genuine, like joint bills, a shared lease, or photos together
• Divorce decrees or death certificates if either spouse was previously married

If any of these documents are in a language other than English, like a marriage certificate from Mexico or Brazil, you’ll need a certified marriage certificate translation. USCIS won’t accept originals in foreign languages, so you must translate the marriage certificate to English and include a signed translation certificate confirming the accuracy and completeness of the document.

Wondering if you're missing anything? USCIS has a full checklist for Form I-130 to help you stay organized.

Interview Time: Proving Your Relationship Is Real

Once USCIS processes your forms, the next step is the interview. This part is meant to confirm that your relationship is real, and not just for immigration benefits.

Expect personal questions about your relationship, like:

• How did you meet?
• What was your wedding like?
• What do your daily routines look like?
• How do you split household responsibilities?

Even couples with real marriages can slip up here, especially if they’re nervous. It helps to practice beforehand so you feel confident and ready. Honest, simple answers go a long way in proving that your relationship is authentic.

What Comes Next: A New Chapter with Stability

“Education, work experience, abiding by governing rules—none of these things offers true security. That’s where a green card comes in.” ― Jordan Arellano, What My Green Card Love Story Taught Me About Immigration

There’s no sugarcoating it: Green Card applications are stressful. But once approved, the rewards are well worth the effort.

A Green Card means you no longer have to worry about repeat visa applications, deportation risks, or being separated from your spouse. It’s the foundation for building a stable life together, especially for mixed-status families.

Just make sure all your documents are in order, especially your marriage certificate translation, to avoid unnecessary delays. If you’re wondering where to translate a marriage certificate or looking for a marriage certificate translation service near you, we’ve got you covered!

Marriage Certificate Translation: What You Need to Know

If you or your spouse isn’t from an English-speaking country, you’ll need to submit certified English translations of several documents. Other documents might include passports, birth certificates, apartment leases, divorce records, or even health insurance paperwork.

Since the number of supporting documents varies from case to case, translation costs can add up fast. And while it might be tempting to go with the cheapest option when looking for marriage certificate translation services, cutting corners here can backfire.

Submitting an inaccurate or incomplete wedding certificate translation could lead to your whole application being delayed or even denied. When USCIS filing fees alone cost over $500, the last thing you want is to redo everything because of a bad translation.

So, how do you choose the right service to translate your marriage certificate into English without overpaying? And how can you be sure the translation meets USCIS requirements?

How to choose a translation agency for your marriage certificate

When you're translating documents for USCIS, it's important to choose a service you can trust. If you're looking for a marriage certificate translation service, focus on three key things: accuracy, speed, and affordability.

Here's how to avoid low-quality translations and make sure you're getting your money's worth.

Accurate marriage certificate translation

USCIS requires that all translated documents be complete and accurate. That means every word needs to be accounted for, and nothing should be left out or mistranslated.

To make sure you're choosing a reliable provider, read their claims carefully. Many agencies say they offer the best marriage certificate translation service, but that doesn't always mean their work meets USCIS standards. When picking a translation agency for your marriage certificate, don't just go with the first or cheapest option. Here are the key things to check:

• Translator capacity matters: Some agencies use a small team and rush jobs, which can lead to poor translations. Choose a provider with enough professional translators to handle your request properly.

• Check for reviews and credibility: Look for real client testimonials, especially related to immigration documents. Good agencies will have a solid reputation and experience with USCIS-related translations.

• Familiarity with USCIS rules: Even skilled translators can make mistakes if they don’t understand what USCIS requires. It's important to work with a team that knows exactly how a marriage certificate translation needs to be formatted and certified.

• Fast turnaround times: Immigration timelines can shift quickly. You need a service that can deliver your translated documents within hours, if needed, without compromising quality.

• Affordable pricing: If you're already facing steep immigration costs, a good translation agency should offer transparent pricing with no surprise fees.

• Translation certification included: USCIS requires a signed certificate verifying that the translation is complete and accurate. Make sure this is included at no extra charge.

Sample of Our Marriage Certificate Translations

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What MotaWord Offers

MotaWord checks all the boxes. It has a large team of over 24,000 translators, works in 110+ languages, and delivers fast, certified translations of marriage certificates—often in just a few hours.

With a strong track record in USCIS document translation, real client testimonials, and full price transparency (no minimum fees or hidden charges), MotaWord is a reliable choice for anyone needing certified translation services for marriage and immigration documents.

You’ll also get a free translation certificate with every order, so your documents are ready to submit to USCIS without extra hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Certificate Translation

Not sure what’s required for translating your marriage certificate for USCIS? Here are answers to some common questions. If you still need help, feel free to reach out to MotaWord’s support team.

1. Do I need to translate my marriage certificate for USCIS?

Yes. If your marriage certificate isn’t in English, you’ll need to submit a certified English translation. The same rule applies to other supporting documents, like birth certificates, lease agreements, and financial records. For full guidance, check USCIS’s official tips.

2. Who can translate a marriage certificate?

Any professional translator or agency that’s fluent in both the original language and English can do it—no notarization required. USCIS doesn’t demand sworn translators like some European countries do, but the translation must come with a signed certification confirming its accuracy.

3. How can I find a marriage certificate translation service near me?

You don’t need to search locally or drive anywhere. Online services like MotaWord let you upload your marriage certificate from home in any format. You’ll receive a fast, professionally formatted PDF with the translated text and certification included.

4. How much does it cost to translate a marriage certificate?

The price depends on the language and word count. Some agencies charge per word, others per page. Since marriage certificates are short, per-word pricing is usually more affordable. MotaWord keeps it simple—no minimum fees, no certification fees, and instant pricing available on the quote page.

MotaWord Makes Your Marriage Certificate Translation Stress-Free

Translating your marriage certificate might seem like a small part of the Green Card process, but it’s one of the most important steps to get right. A clear, certified translation that meets USCIS requirements can help you avoid delays, rejections, or costly do-overs.

If you're looking for a fast, affordable, and professional translation service, MotaWord has you covered. With over 24,000 certified translators, support for 110+ languages, and no surprise fees, MotaWord is trusted by individuals, law firms, and immigration professionals worldwide. Get your marriage certificate translated today!