What if I can't find my divorce decree?

You'll need to request a certified copy from the foreign court that issued it (or the country's vital records office, if a separate divorce certificate exists). We can begin work as soon as you have the certified copy in hand.

Do I need to translate court filings from before the final decree?

Usually no — only the final judgment is required. Translating preliminary motions adds cost and confusion without strengthening your case.

Certified Translation

Divorce Decree & Certificate Translation for USCIS

Word-for-word certified translation of foreign divorce decrees and judgments — required to prove free-to-marry status.

USCIS Accepted

Submit your divorce decree for certified translation

Upload, pay, and we begin immediately. USCIS-accepted, next business day.

Get Your Certified Translation

If you were ever married before, USCIS needs proof that every prior marriage legally ended before any current marriage can support an immigration benefit. That proof is the divorce decree (or judgment of dissolution, annulment order, or death certificate of the prior spouse).

Foreign divorce decrees are often long, multi-page court documents with judge's findings, custody terms, and procedural history. We translate the entire document — not just the operative paragraph — because USCIS officers need to see that the decree is final, not under appeal, and legally effective in the country that issued it.

What USCIS uses it for

I-130 (when either spouse was previously married), I-485, K-1 visa filings, N-400 (good moral character review), and consular processing. Required regardless of how long ago the divorce occurred.

What we translate

Court judgments of divorce or dissolution
Civil registry divorce certificates (where the country issues a separate vital record)
Final divorce decrees with court seal and judge's signature
Annulment orders and declarations of nullity
Mutual-consent divorce records (common in many civil-law countries)

8 CFR §103.2(b)(3)

What USCIS requires for a foreign-language document

Full English translation
Every word, stamp, seal, and marginal note on the foreign document must be rendered into English — not summarized.
Signed Certificate of Accuracy
The translator certifies, in writing, that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the source language to English.
Original visible alongside translation
USCIS expects the certified English translation to be submitted together with a legible copy of the original foreign-language document.
Independent translator
The translator cannot be the applicant or beneficiary. Self-translations are routinely rejected, even when accurate.

Why these translations get rejected

Translation only of the certificate, not the underlying judgment

Some countries issue a one-page divorce certificate that summarizes a longer judgment. USCIS frequently asks for the full judgment translated when the certificate alone is ambiguous about finality.

Decree not yet final

Interim or 'decree nisi' orders aren't enough. The translated document must show the divorce is absolute and not subject to appeal in the issuing country.

Country's divorce isn't recognized in the U.S. state of remarriage

This isn't a translation issue per se, but USCIS sometimes asks for legal opinions when foreign divorces interact with U.S. state remarriage laws. We translate everything you need to support that argument.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. USCIS regulations require complete translation of foreign-language documents submitted as evidence. A partial translation is treated as no translation at all. This is one of the most common reasons divorce-decree filings receive an RFE (USCIS case pause).

USCIS Accepted