How to translate a marriage certificate in Spanish to English

What the Spanish document is called

The translation's heading should keep the name of the record and the office that issued it.

Mexico

Acta de matrimonio, issued by the state civil registry (Registro Civil). Translate the title as Marriage Certificate.

Spain

Certificado de matrimonio. The literal certificate, certificado literal, reproduces the whole registry entry.

Central and South America

Acta, certificado or partida de matrimonio. All become Marriage Certificate.

Church records

A partida de matrimonio eclesiástico from a parish is a religious record. When an office asks for the civil record, it means the Registro Civil's acta.

Terms on a Spanish marriage certificate

Layouts differ by country and by Mexican state, but these headings come back on almost every acta.

Marginal notes matter. A later divorce, a correction of a name or a change of property regime is often recorded in the margin, and USCIS needs to see it in English too. Describe what cannot be translated in brackets, such as [seal], [QR code] or [illegible signature].

What USCIS asks for

For a spouse petition, the I-130 instructions ask for a copy of the marriage certificate and, if either spouse was married before, documents showing that each prior marriage was legally terminated[2]. USCIS's spouse page names those documents as divorce decrees, death certificates or annulment decrees[3].

Any document with foreign-language information needs a full English translation. The translator signs a certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate, with their signature, printed name, the date and their contact information[2]. The rule names no agency[1].

How to get a copy of the acta de matrimonio

In Mexico, the national civil registry platform issues an official digital copy of the acta de matrimonio online. You need a Llave MX account and the CURP of the spouses, you pay online, the cost differs by state and the copy arrives immediately[4].

In Spain, the Ministry of Justice issues a literal marriage certificate online on the spot with a Cl@ve login, when online issue is possible[5]. A certificate in another language, a multilingual certificate, a marriage abroad or one celebrated less than two months ago goes through the general request instead, and a request without Cl@ve is always sent by mail[5].

How to translate a marriage certificate in Spanish with LoreAI

1. Scan or photograph every page. Include the back and any page with stamps, an apostille or margin notes. A PDF, JPG or PNG works.
2. Upload it and choose English. LoreAI detects Spanish, reads the scan with OCR, stamps and seals included, and translates it.
3. Download the Word file. Both spouses' names with both surnames, dates, the CURP and the registry numbers come back as written, in the order of the original form.
4. Add the signed certification. The person who checks the translation signs it. The certificate of translation template has the wording USCIS expects.

Your first document is free, up to 3 pages and 3 MB. For a blank layout to fill in by hand, see the marriage certificate translation template.

Who can sign the translation?

The USCIS rule asks for a translator who is competent in both languages and certifies the translation[1]. In a 2024 letter, the USCIS director quoted agency guidance that anyone, paid or unpaid and including family members, can provide a translation as long as they certify it[6]. A bilingual friend or relative can read the LoreAI Word file and sign the statement.

LoreAI is not a certified translation service and does not sign translations. If a court, a consulate or a foreign registry wants a professional or sworn translator, the guide to certified translations explains how to get one.

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