How do you translate a Chilean marriage certificate (certificado de matrimonio) for USCIS?
USCIS asks for a full English translation of a Chilean marriage certificate with the translator’s signed certification. We translate the certificado de matrimonio from the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación in full: both spouses with their RUN and date of birth, the registration number, place and date, the property regime when the certificate lists it, the folio and the verification code. A certificate is usually one page: $25, ready within 24 hours after payment.
Three kinds of certificate
A Chilean marriage certificate attests to a marriage celebrated before the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación and gives each spouse’s name, RUN (the national ID number) and date of birth, with the registration number, place and date of the marriage (ChileAtiende (opens in a new tab)). The registry issues three kinds, according to the same page:
- para todo trámite con inscripciones: for any purpose, with the entries (inscripciones), such as the property regime the couple chose;
- para todo trámite sin inscripciones: for any purpose, without those entries;
- para asignación familiar: for a family allowance claim.
They are free on the Registro Civil website and its app, and paid at a registry office. Chileans abroad can also order one at a consulate, at a fee set by each consulate. The certificate names the registration district (circunscripción), and you can check it with its folio number and verification code for up to 60 days (ChileAtiende, Chileans abroad (opens in a new tab)).
What the Department of State says for Chile
The reciprocity page for Chile adds details that matter for a visa (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)):
- the certificate carries the registry’s seal and the electronic signature of the head of the General Archive department (Jefe Departamento Archivo General);
- handwritten certificates are not accepted;
- the family book (Libreta de Familia) is not acceptable for immigration purposes;
- certified copies are not available.
What the translation includes
The translation is complete, as USCIS requires (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)): every field and every later entry, the RUN digit for digit, the folio and the verification code as printed, and a description of the seal and the electronic signature. Names are spelled as in each spouse’s passport; tell us the spelling when you order.
Divorce
For a divorce, the Department of State lists the same certificado de matrimonio with the divorce noted on it. It is issued by the Registro Civil, at an office or online, and bears the coat of arms with a condor and a huemul (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). We translate the divorce note in full, as part of the certificate.
Where the translation goes
- USCIS: for Form I-130, your marriage certificate and proof that any earlier marriage ended, each with a full translation and the translator’s certification (Form I-130 instructions (opens in a new tab)). What USCIS accepts
- NVC and US consulates: the Department of State doesn’t ask for a translation of a certificate in Spanish if you are applying for your visa in Chile or another country where Spanish is an official language. What NVC accepts
- Immigration court: a typed certification with the translator’s address and phone. What the court accepts
Our Spanish documents are translated and certified by a native Spanish speaker. What to file in your case is for you or your attorney to decide.
Sample translation
The sample has the original, the translation and the signed certificate. Personal details are blurred.
Questions
Will you translate the free certificate I downloaded from the Registro Civil?
Yes. A downloaded certificate has a folio and a verification code, and the translation keeps both, so the recipient can check the original. ChileAtiende notes that the check works for 60 days after you get the certificate.
How much does it cost?
A certificate is usually one page: $25. Each additional page in the same order is $20, so a marriage certificate and two birth certificates are $65.
Do I need a notary or an apostille?
Not for USCIS: it asks for the translator’s signed certification, and it’s included. ChileAtiende says whether a certificate needs a consul’s stamp, legalization or an apostille depends on the receiving country; if yours 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.