Divorce Decree Translation for USCIS

When a marriage-based immigration petition involves anyone who was previously married, USCIS generally wants proof that the earlier marriage was legally terminated. If the divorce happened abroad, that means a certified English translation of the divorce decree.

Why USCIS asks for it

To approve a new marriage as valid, USCIS needs to confirm that both spouses were legally free to marry. A foreign divorce decree establishes that a prior marriage ended — but only if it’s submitted with a complete, certified English translation per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).

Divorce decrees are harder than certificates

Unlike a one-page birth or marriage certificate, a divorce decree is often a multi-page court document with legal language, case numbers, court stamps, and judge’s signatures. A proper certified translation:

• Translates the entire document, not just the summary or first page.
• Preserves case numbers, dates, and court identifiers exactly.
• Notes seals, stamps, and signatures rather than dropping them.
• Renders legal terminology accurately — a translator with legal experience matters here.

Common issues

• Partial translations. Submitting only the final judgment page instead of the full decree can trigger a Request for Evidence.
• Terminology errors. Legal systems differ; a literal word-for-word rendering can misstate the legal effect. This is why legal documents go to specialized translators.
• Name inconsistencies. Names must match your other filed documents.

Getting it done

Taika translates full divorce decrees with a signed certificate of accuracy, using translators experienced in legal translation. Start with certified document translation, or request a quote with the full document. Handling a whole petition? See immigration & USCIS document translation.