How do you translate a Bulgarian divorce decision for USCIS?
A Bulgarian divorce is proved by the decision (reshenie) of the regional court that dissolved the marriage. For Form I-130, USCIS asks for documents showing that each earlier marriage legally ended, with a full English translation and the translator’s signed certification. We translate the court decision in full, with the court’s seal, the judge’s signature and the true-copy stamp, and the civil registry extract that records the divorce. We charge by the page: $25 for the first page and $20 for each additional one. The translation is ready within 24 hours after payment.
Which document proves the divorce
A Bulgarian divorce is a court decision (reshenie). The regional court issues it, registers it and keeps it in its archive. The decision bears the court’s round seal and the signature of the regional judge. A certified copy carries an additional seal reading “true copy,” signed by the court secretary. If the decision is already archived, the court may instead issue a certificate with the decision’s entry number and date and the names of the divorced spouses (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).
What the civil registry records
For a divorce, Bulgaria lists two public documents: the court decision and an extract from the civil marriage certificate whose Comments field states how the marriage was dissolved and on what date (European e-Justice Portal (opens in a new tab)). If you have that extract, we translate it in full, the Comments note word for word.
What the translation includes
Every page of the decision, start to finish, as USCIS requires a full translation (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)). That covers the court’s name and case number, the text of the decision, the seal, the signatures, the true-copy stamp and any apostille. The decision is priced by the page.
The former spouses’ names are spelled as in their passports. Tell us both spellings when you order, and they will match your marriage certificate and every other document in the order.
Where the translation goes
- USCIS: for Form I-130, documents showing that each earlier marriage of either spouse legally ended (Form I-130 instructions (opens in a new tab)). Bulgarian marriage certificate, What USCIS accepts
- NVC and US consulates: the Department of State doesn’t ask for a translation of a court decision in Bulgarian if you are applying for your visa in Bulgaria. What NVC accepts
- Immigration court: a typed certification with the translator’s address and phone. What the court accepts
Our Bulgarian documents are translated and certified by a native Bulgarian speaker. What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.
Sample translations
2 samplesEach sample has the original, the translation and the signed certificate. Personal details are blurred.
Questions
Is there a separate Bulgarian divorce certificate?
No. The divorce is proved by the regional court’s decision. If the case is in the court archive, the court can issue a certificate with the decision’s number and date and the names of the parties, and we translate that certificate the same way.
How much does it cost?
We charge by the page: $25 for the first page and $20 for each additional one, so a three-page decision is $65. Send photos of every page, and we’ll give you the exact price.
Do I need a notary or an apostille?
Not for USCIS: it asks for the translator’s signed certification, and it’s included. If your copy of the decision has an apostille, we translate it too.
How long does it take?
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
How we do it
- Full translation
every stamp, signature and handwritten line
- Signed certificate
with the translator’s name, address and phone
- A PDF, ready to file
original, translation and certificate, translation pages numbered
- Price
$25 for the first page up to 250 words, $20 for each additional page, in the same document or another one.
- Turnaround
1–4 documents: within 24 hours after payment; faster, within 12 hours (+$15 a page) or 3 hours (+$30 a page, paid between 8 am and 6 pm Pacific time). For 5 or more, we give you the date with the quote.
This is a summary of what the agency publishes, not legal advice.