Why USCIS requires divorce decree translation
If you or your sponsoring spouse have ever been previously married, USCIS requires complete documentation proving that all prior marriages legally ended — through divorce, annulment, or death of a former spouse. Any foreign-language divorce decree or dissolution order must be submitted with a certified English translation. Missing or untranslated divorce records are among the most common causes of RFEs in spousal visa and green card applications.
Immigration applications that require divorce decree translation
Applications requiring certified divorce decree translation
- Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative — Spousal petitions require proof all prior marriages legally ended
- CR-1 and IR-1 Spousal Immigrant Visas — Consular officers require prior divorce documentation
- K-1 Fiancé Visa — Both the petitioner and beneficiary must document all prior marriages
- Form I-485 Adjustment of Status — All prior marriages must be fully disclosed and documented
- Form N-400 Naturalization — All marriages and their legal terminations must be disclosed
What must be translated in a divorce decree?
Required translation elements
- Full legal names of both parties exactly as printed in the original decree
- Date the marriage being dissolved was originally entered into
- Date the divorce was officially granted or finalized by the court
- Court name, presiding judge’s name, and full jurisdictional information
- Case number or docket number
- Grounds for divorce if stated in the decree
- Any custody, property division, or support arrangements included in the decree
- The date the decree became final and legally effective
- All stamps, seals, signatures, and official court notations
What if I cannot locate my divorce records?
Steps to take if your records are missing
- Contact the court that issued the original decree in your home country. Most countries maintain civil registry archives and can issue a certified copy.
- If records were destroyed due to conflict or natural disaster, an immigration attorney can advise you on submitting secondary evidence.
- Once you have your records, uscis-translations.com will provide a complete certified translation within 24–48 hours.
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