Every green card case built on foreign documents — a birth certificate from Mexico, a marriage certificate from Colombia, a diploma from Venezuela — needs certified English translations. Missing or defective translations are one of the most common reasons USCIS issues a Request for Evidence. Use this checklist before you file.
Civil documents
- Birth certificates — required for the applicant and often for derivative family members
- Marriage certificates — central to spousal petitions (I-130)
- Divorce decrees and annulments — to prove earlier marriages ended legally
- Death certificates — when a prior spouse is deceased
- Adoption decrees — for adopted children cases
Legal and background documents
- Police clearance certificates — for consular processing
- Court records — arrests, charges, or convictions abroad, even if dismissed
- Military records — where applicable
Financial and supporting evidence
- Bank statements and property records — often used in bona fide marriage evidence
- Letters and affidavits from relatives or employers written in Spanish
Employment and education
- Diplomas and transcripts — for employment-based categories and credential evaluations
- Employment letters — verifying foreign work experience
Rules that apply to every document
Each translation must be complete (including stamps, seals, and notations), accurate, and accompanied by the translator’s signed certification of competence — per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). Submitting the original-language document without a translation, or with a partial one, invites delays.
Translate everything in one batch
We translate complete green card document sets English↔Spanish with volume pricing for multi-document orders — see our pricing plans or start your order online. Law firm preparing a case? Talk to us about firm accounts.
Immigration law firm? We set up firm accounts with consistent certification, 24–48 h turnaround and consolidated monthly invoicing. Certified translation services for law firms →
