Certified translation of a Spanish marriage certificate for USCIS
For a spousal petition (I-130), an adjustment of status (I-485) or a consular visa, USCIS needs your Spanish marriage certificate (certificación literal de matrimonio) in English, complete, with the translator's signed certification under 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3). I am Elena Peñaranda Ortega, sworn translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2009 (no. 7310). I translate the whole record, property regime and marginal notes included, and send you the signed PDF the same day (up to 10 pages).
Price in US dollars
$40per certificate
- Turnaround
- Same day (up to 10 pages)
- Delivery
- Signed PDF · paper copy to the US for $25
- Payment
- In USD, by card or Wise
Calculated from my euro rates at a fixed reference rate (1 € = 1.10 $), rounded to the nearest $5.
- Verifiable Foreign Ministry (MAEC) appointment
- If the authority rejects it because of my mistake, I fix it for free
- Same-day delivery up to 10 pages, deadline in writing before you pay
What USCIS requires for a Spanish marriage certificate
The marriage certificate is the core evidence in a spousal case. USCIS wants the civil record issued by the registry, not the church certificate, and it wants it in full: in Spain, the certificación literal de matrimonio from the Registro Civil or the electronic certificate from the Ministry of Justice portal.
Under 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) it must come with a complete English translation and the translator's certification of accuracy and competence. If either spouse was married before, USCIS also wants proof that the earlier marriage ended, so I often translate the certificate together with a Spanish divorce decree and the couple's birth certificates in one order.
What a Spanish marriage certificate contains, and what I translate
A literal Spanish marriage record is more than names and a date:
- Registry location (Registro Civil de…, Tomo, Página) or the DICIREG record code.
- Both spouses' full names with two surnames, birth details, parents and prior marital status.
- Form of marriage: civil before a judge, mayor or registrar, or religious and later registered.
- Matrimonial property regime (sociedad de gananciales, separación de bienes), which has no direct US equivalent and needs an explanatory rendering.
- Marginal notes: separation, divorce, annulment or a change of regime by capitulaciones matrimoniales.
- Issuing officer, date, registry stamp, electronic signature or CSV code and, if present, the Hague apostille.
Older couples often hold a Libro de Familia, the family book Spain stopped issuing in 2021. USCIS treats it as secondary evidence; I can translate it, but request the literal certificate too.
Why a Spanish sworn translator for a Spanish marriage record
Any competent translator may sign a USCIS certification. The difference is inside the document, where generalists mishandle Spanish legal concepts:
- Property regimes: rendering sociedad de gananciales as "joint property", or omitting it, misrepresents the legal effect of the marriage.
- Officiant titles: Juez de Paz, Encargado del Registro Civil, Alcalde, Párroco.
- Abbreviations: D./D.ª, Fol., Sec. 2.ª, art., CC, LRC.
- Marginal notes recording a divorce are exactly what the officer checks when a previous marriage exists; they cannot be skipped.
Since 2009 I have handled these documents as sworn translator no. 7310. USCIS does not require that appointment; it is why the translation is right the first time.
What USCIS requires vs. what you get
| What USCIS requires | What you get |
|---|---|
| A full English translation (8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3)) | The whole Spanish marriage certificate: every stamp, note, handwritten entry and code, including the property-regime clause and any divorce note |
| Certification of completeness and accuracy | A signed, dated Certificate of Translation Accuracy per document |
| Statement of the translator's competence | My statement, backed by my appointment as sworn translator no. 7310 (Spain's Foreign Ministry, since 2009) |
| Translator's name, signature and contact details | Name, signature, stamp, email, phone and website |
| No notarisation | None needed. Paper original couriered to the US for $25 on request |
| Copy of the original | Your scan attached in the same PDF |
How I work
Send
A full scan or clear photo of your Spanish marriage certificate, on WhatsApp or by email.
Quote and deadline
Fixed price in US dollars and delivery date within 2 working hours.
Translation and certification
Full English translation, stamps included, with my signed certificate.
Delivery
Signed PDF the same day for up to 10 pages; paper copy to the US for $25 on request.
What clients say
Published on Google by real clients, reproduced as written.
Elena has been so incredibly responsive and helpful with my recent request for a translation of my marriage certificate and apostille.
Her communication is clear and concise , her command of English language is perfect and I found her help to be invaluable.
I will definitely continue to use Elena for any future translations and recommend her services. Thank you so much Elena .
Impressive service, good price and swift transaction. The document was translated very quickly. First class service!
Frequently asked questions
Is the church marriage certificate enough for USCIS?
No. USCIS wants the civil registration: the certificación literal de matrimonio from the Registro Civil. A religious ceremony is valid once registered, and the civil certificate proves it.
What is the régimen económico matrimonial and why does it matter?
The property regime governing the spouses' assets (community property, separation or participation). It appears on most Spanish marriage certificates and must be translated.
One of us was married before. What else should I translate?
Proof that every previous marriage ended: a divorce decree with its finality statement, an annulment or a death certificate. I translate them together with one deadline.
Does USCIS require an apostille on my Spanish document?
Usually not: USCIS asks for the document and its certified translation, not for legalisation. If your document already carries a Hague apostille, I translate it too, because the translation must be complete.
Do I need to have the translation notarised for USCIS?
No. USCIS requires the translator's signed certification of accuracy and competence, not a notary. My certificate carries my name, signature, stamp, date and contact details.
Do I need the paper copy, or is the PDF enough?
For online USCIS filings the signed PDF is enough. If your attorney wants the paper original with my handwritten signature and stamp, I courier it to any US address for a flat $25.
Need your Spanish marriage certificate translated for USCIS?
Send me a scan on WhatsApp or by email and tell me which form it is for. You will have a fixed price in US dollars and a delivery date within 2 working hours.