How do you translate a marriage certificate from Spain for USCIS?

What the certificate shows

A Spanish marriage certificate comes from the Civil Registry and attests that a marriage was celebrated, and on what date and in what place (Ministerio de Justicia (opens in a new tab)). It is issued by the registrar of the corresponding Civil Registry or, for a marriage recorded at a Spanish consulate, of the Consular Register (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). Spain has recognized same-⁠sex marriage since July 3, 2005, according to the same page.

The Civil Registry Law provides two kinds of certificate (Ley 20/2011, art. 82 (opens in a new tab)):

• extracto: the extract, with the data set by regulation; the registry issues it unless you ask for the other kind;
• literal: the full copy, with the whole content of the entry.

For a visa, the Department of State accepts both, on paper with stamps or as an electronic certificate with the digital stamp of the Department of Registers and Notaries and a verification code (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)).

Notes on the entry

The registry records the couple’s property regime next to the marriage, whether it comes from the law or from a marital property agreement (capitulaciones), along with later agreements and court decisions that affect it (art. 60 (opens in a new tab)). A final court decision of separation, annulment or divorce, or a notary’s deed of a separation or divorce agreement, is also entered in the Civil Registry (art. 61 (opens in a new tab)). A literal certificate shows the whole entry, and the translation keeps every note as it stands, as USCIS requires a complete translation (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) (opens in a new tab)).

Divorce

From Spain, the Department of State takes a marriage certificate with the divorce noted on it as proof of divorce, and a final divorce judgment from the court counts too (U.S. Department of State (opens in a new tab)). We translate either one, seals included.

Names

If a spouse has two surnames, we keep both in the order of the certificate and spell every name as in the passport. Tell us the spelling when you order, and it stays the same across your documents.

Where the translation goes

• USCIS: for Form I-⁠130, your marriage certificate and proof that every 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 Spain 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.