How do you translate a Cuban marriage certificate for USCIS?

Three ways to marry, one registry entry

In Cuba a couple can marry at a Palacio de los Matrimonios, before a notary public, or by having a court recognize a common-⁠law union. Each way ends in a civil registry entry: the registrar of the Palacio records the marriage, a notary sends the marriage deed to the local registry within 72 hours, and a court sends its decree to the registry near the plaintiff’s address within 72 hours (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). The certificate you file is the certificación de matrimonio from the Registro del Estado Civil, signed by a registrar (same source).

What the translation includes

We translate the certificate in full, as USCIS requires (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)). A Cuban marriage entry records both spouses, the place and date of the marriage, the registry that holds it and each spouse’s citizenship and civil status (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). The translation has all of that, plus:

• the volume (tomo) and folio of the entry;
• any marginal note, such as a divorce note written on the marriage entry;
• the stamp or the 13-digit code that replaces it, the seal of the civil registry and the registrar’s signature, which every Cuban marriage certificate must have (same source).

If a handwritten word can’t be read, the translation marks it [illegible].

Documents that prove a divorce

Under current Cuban law, four documents prove a marriage or its end: a marriage certificate, a marriage certificate with a divorce note, a divorce certificate, and a certificate of validity of marriage. A divorce goes through a court or a notary’s office, and both send it to the civil registry. Depending on the route, you may hold a certificación de divorcio from the registry, an escritura notarial de divorcio from the notary or a sentencia de divorcio issued by the court’s secretary; each needs a stamp, the seal of its issuer and an official’s signature (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).

We translate any of them in full; a long decree is priced by the page.

Names

If a spouse appears with two surnames, we keep both in the certificate’s order and spell them as in your passports, the same across the order.

Where the translation goes

• USCIS: for Form I-⁠130, the marriage certificate and proof that any earlier marriage legally ended, each with a full translation and the translator’s signed 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 Cuba or another country where Spanish is an official language (civil documents (opens in a new tab)). 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.