6 things to know about marriage certificate translation

6 things to know about marriage certificate translation

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Congratulations! You’re married and now it’s time to start your life with the person you love. As a blissful newlywed, you want that life to begin right away. However, if your marriage happened overseas and you want to move to the United States, you might need to have your marriage certificate translated.

Marriage certificate translation is more complex than it might seem on the surface. Because it’s a legal document, it requires a knowledgeable translator to complete the work required by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.)

Before you ship your marriage certificate to just any language service provider, consider these six important things.

1. Is it necessary to translate your marriage certificate?

If you are already married and need to apply for permanent residency in the United States (also known as a Green Card), USCIS will require that you submit proof of your marriage with a “certified English translation.”

2. Where can you find your marriage certificate?

In some countries, marriage certificates are titled something different. This legal document can also be called a wedding license, certificate of matrimony, marriage license, or another name. The document you need to have translated just needs to be legal proof by the government that you are in fact married.

To find this document, visit the agency where you filed for marriage. This can be a civil registration office, registrar of public record, church, or other official agency.

3. The requirements in marriage certificate translation.

The USCIS requires that you submit a “certified English translation.” This is different than having a certified translator work on your legal document.

A certified translation includes:

  • The source text, or the original marriage license.

  • An English version of the marriage license.

  • A signed statement by the certified translator that is notarized by a Notary Public.

Having each of these three critical components is vital to having your application approved. The signature by the certified translator shows that the translator has been tested for his or her abilities and is willing to testify that the English text is translated completely and accurately. This “certifies” that both documents have the same meaning in each language.

4. What is a reasonable expectation for the timing of your translation?

Usually, a marriage certificate translation can be completed in two business days. There are some instances when this might take longer, depending on the complexity of the document and the source language.

5. The delivery of your certified translation.

When your translation is complete, you’ll get a digital document with everything you need to submit to the USCIS. Getting the documents in digital format allows you to move your application forward faster and easier. It also ensures that nothing happens to the hardcopy in the process of delivering it to you or to the United States authorities working on your case.

6. How to find the right language service provider.

Having your translated marriage certificate accepted by the USCIS is vital to your future with your spouse. Finding a language service provider (LSP) that can translate your marriage certificate so that it is accepted by the U.S. authorities will save you significant hassle during your application process.

Ask the LSP you’re considering about their track record with these specific translation projects. Make sure that you’re working with a company that is experienced in marriage certificate translations specifically and who can back up their experience with a 100% acceptance rate.

Conclusion

Don’t put your marital bliss on hold for longer than necessary. Work with the right LSP to have your project completed accurately and in a timely manner.