If your divorce decree is in a language other than English and you're submitting it to USCIS — for a marriage-based green card, adjustment of status (Form I-485), naturalization (Form N-400), or any other immigration application — you need a certified translation. A bilingual family member's translation won't work. A notarized copy won't work. USCIS requires a specific type of certified translation that meets the requirements of 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
This guide explains exactly what USCIS requires, what happens if you get it wrong, how much it costs, and how to order correctly the first time.
Why USCIS Requires a Certified Translation
USCIS processes millions of immigration applications each year, and adjudicators cannot be expected to read dozens of foreign languages. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any document in a foreign language submitted to USCIS must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and accurate, along with the translator's certification of their competence in both languages.
This is not optional, and there is no waiver. A divorce decree in Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or any other language must be translated — even if the adjudicator happens to speak that language. USCIS policy requires the certified translation regardless.
When Do You Need to Translate a Divorce Decree?
You'll typically need a certified translation of a foreign-language divorce decree when filing:
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) — USCIS needs to confirm you're legally free to marry your petitioning spouse
- Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) — Part 8 asks about marriages; prior divorces must be documented
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) — if either party has been previously married
- Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) — proving that a prior marriage was terminated
- DS-260 / DS-230 (Immigrant Visa Application) — processed at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad
- K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa — if either applicant has been previously married
A simple rule: any time USCIS or a consular officer needs to see that a prior marriage ended legally, and the divorce decree is in a foreign language, you need a certified translation.
What Makes a Divorce Decree Translation "Certified" for USCIS
The word "certified" is specific. It does not mean notarized — notarization is a separate process that a notary public performs and does not validate translation quality. Read our full guide on certified vs. notarized translation if you're unclear on the difference.
For USCIS purposes, a certified translation must include:
- A complete, accurate English translation of the entire divorce decree — every page, every field, every stamp and seal (described in text if not reproducible)
- A signed certification statement from the translator, which must include:
- The translator's full name
- The translator's contact information (address or email)
- A declaration that they are competent in both the source language and English
- A statement that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge
- The date of certification
The certification language typically reads something like: "I, [Name], certify that I am competent to translate from [language] to English, and that the foregoing is a true and accurate translation of the attached document to the best of my ability."
Does the Translator Need to Be ATA-Certified?
Technically, no. USCIS policy (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) does not require the translator to hold any specific credential — they simply need to certify their own competency. However, there are two important practical reasons to use an ATA-certified translator or a professional translation company:
- Risk of rejection: If an adjudicator questions the quality of a translation, professional credentials provide immediate credibility. Amateur translations from family members or freelancers without credentials have higher rejection rates in practice.
- RFE (Request for Evidence): If USCIS issues an RFE requesting a "more accurate" or "professional" translation, you're back to square one — losing weeks or months of processing time.
Our translators at Taika Translations are ATA members working in their native language pairs. Every certified translation we produce uses the correct USCIS-compliant certification language and has a 100% acceptance rate with USCIS.
What Documents to Send Us
To translate your divorce decree, we need:
- A clear scan or photo of every page of the divorce decree (including the cover page, all signed pages, and any stamps or official seals)
- The name of the source language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese)
- Your deadline, if any
You do not need to send the original document. A high-resolution scan or PDF is sufficient. If pages are blurry, we'll ask for a clearer copy before starting — a blurry source document produces an unreliable translation, and USCIS may question it.
What About Divorce Decrees with Court Stamps and Seals?
This is one of the most common questions. Stamps, seals, and notarial marks on the original document must be acknowledged in the translation. A professional translator will add bracketed notes describing them, for example: [Official court seal of the Family Court of Mexico City, circular, dated March 15, 2019].
USCIS adjudicators expect to see these notations. A translation that omits or ignores official markings on the original can raise credibility questions about the translation's completeness.
Cost and Turnaround
| Service Level | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 24–72 hours | $24.99 per page |
| Rush | 12–24 hours | $39.99 per page |
| Same-day | 4–8 hours (availability varies) | Contact for quote |
Most divorce decrees run 2–5 pages. A typical certified translation costs $50–$125 at standard rates. Rush orders are available when you have a scheduled USCIS interview or upcoming filing deadline.
We accept government P-cards, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and Wise. For government clients, GSA and NASPO pricing is available.
How to Order
- Go to our certified translation order form
- Upload your divorce decree (PDF or image)
- Select your source language and confirm the target is English
- Choose standard or rush turnaround
- Receive your certified translation by email — ready to submit to USCIS
Your translation will arrive as a PDF with the translated document and the signed certification page. You can print it or submit it electronically, depending on how you're filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google Translate for my divorce decree?
No. Google Translate cannot be used for USCIS submissions. It cannot produce the required certification statement, and USCIS does not accept machine translation for official documents. Using Google Translate for your divorce decree will result in automatic rejection.
Does the translation need to be notarized?
USCIS does not require notarization of the translation. The translator's signed certification is sufficient. Some consulates and state courts do require notarized translations — but for standard USCIS applications, notarization of the translation is not required. See our certified vs. notarized guide for more detail.
My divorce decree is several years old. Does that matter?
No. USCIS does not require translations to be "recent." The translation just needs to accurately reflect the original document, regardless of when the divorce happened. A divorce decree from 1998 in Spanish requires the same quality of certified translation as one from last year.
Can the translation be emailed to USCIS?
It depends on how you're filing. Paper filings require a printed copy. If you're filing through the USCIS online system, you can upload a PDF of the translation directly. We deliver all translations as PDFs that are suitable for both print and electronic submission.
I have divorce decrees in two different languages (different marriages). Do I need both translated?
Yes — every foreign-language document submitted to USCIS must have its own certified translation. If you have two prior divorces with decrees in Spanish and Russian, you need two separate certified translations.
What if the country only issued one copy and I can't scan it safely?
Contact us. We have experience working with clients who have fragile or irreplaceable original documents. In some cases, a careful photo taken under good lighting is sufficient. We'll let you know if the image quality is workable before you risk the original.
Order your certified divorce decree translation
ATA-certified translators. 100% USCIS acceptance rate. Standard 24–72 hour turnaround. Starting at $24.99/page.
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