In short
- For a UK or US spouse visa, every document that isn't in English needs a certified translation: GOV.UK, USCIS and the US State Department all ask for one.
- The core set is your marriage certificate and proof that every previous marriage ended, plus birth and police certificates for the US visa stage.
- Make the names match the passports on every translation, and translate everything on the page, including stamps and handwritten notes.
- A certified translation is normally enough: notarisation isn't usually needed.
Applying for a spouse or partner visa means proving your relationship on paper. If your certificates come from Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Kosovo or a French-speaking country, each one has to reach the Home Office or the US authorities in English, in a translation they can check.
This checklist shows which documents usually need translating, what they are called in the original language, and the details that most often cause delays.
Do spouse visa documents need a certified translation?
Yes, in both countries.
- UK. GOV.UK asks family visa applicants for "a certified translation of any document that is not in English or Welsh". Here is what the Home Office expects a translation to include.
- US, petition stage (USCIS). Federal regulation 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) requires a full English translation of any document that contains a foreign language. The translator certifies that it is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from that language. More on USCIS translation requirements.
- US, visa stage (National Visa Center and the embassy). The State Department asks for certified translations of civil documents that are not in English or in the official language of the country where you apply. The translator signs a statement that the translation is accurate and that they are competent to translate.
A notarised translation is not normally needed for either country. See certified, notarised or sworn translation for the difference.
The spouse visa translation checklist
Not every couple needs every document. Use this list as a starting point, then check the guidance for your own route.
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate. The main evidence of your relationship, in both countries.
- Proof that every previous marriage ended. A divorce certificate or decree, an annulment, or a death certificate, for each earlier marriage. GOV.UK asks applicants to include evidence of marriages ending. For a US spouse visa, the State Department asks for this for the applicant and for the petitioning spouse.
- Birth certificates. The US visa stage asks for the applicant's birth certificate. In the UK, if your children are applying with you, you'll usually need their birth certificates too.
- Police certificates (US). Immigrant visa applicants aged 16 or over need a police certificate from their country of nationality if they lived there for more than 6 months, from the country where they live now if they have lived there for more than 6 months, and from any other country where they lived for 12 months or more from the age of 16. The State Department says police certificates expire after two years, with one exception for countries you have not returned to.
- Proof that you live together (UK). GOV.UK mentions proof such as council tax bills. Bills or tenancy papers from abroad need translating too.
- Financial documents from abroad (UK). If your evidence includes income or savings outside the UK, payslips, bank statements and employer letters in another language must be translated. GOV.UK asks for 6 months of payslips, counting back from the day you apply.
What the documents are called
The same document has a different name in each country. This table helps you find the right one before you upload.
| Document | Greece | Albania | France |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage certificate | Ληξιαρχική Πράξη Γάμου | Certifikatë martese | Acte de mariage |
| Birth certificate | Ληξιαρχική Πράξη Γέννησης | Certifikatë lindjeje | Acte de naissance |
| Family record | Πιστοποιητικό Οικογενειακής Κατάστασης | Certifikatë familjare | Livret de famille |
| Divorce | Απόφαση διαζυγίου | Vendim për zgjidhjen e martesës | Jugement de divorce |
| Police certificate | Αντίγραφο Ποινικού Μητρώου | Dëshmi penaliteti | Extrait de casier judiciaire |
Documents from Cyprus and Kosovo use similar names. A divorce by mutual consent may be recorded in a notarial deed (Greece) or an agreement registered with a notary (France) instead of a court judgment: send whichever document you have.
We have separate guides to the Greek family status certificate, Albanian birth and family certificates and the French acte de naissance.
Three details that cause delays
Names that don't match
The most common problem in a spouse visa bundle is the same name spelled three ways: on the passport, on the marriage certificate and in the translation. Tell your translator how each name is spelled in the passport, so every translation uses that spelling. Our guide to Greek, Albanian and French names in English explains why this matters.
Dates
Europe writes dates day first; the US writes them month first. A translation that writes the month in words, such as 4 November 2026, can't be misread on either side of the Atlantic.
Stamps and notes
Marriage records often carry later notes, such as a divorce or a change of name, and official stamps. These are part of the document, so they need translating too. A translation that leaves them out can be questioned.
What it costs
Lexiveris charges a fixed price per page, with the certificate of accuracy included:
- Civil certificates (marriage, birth, family, divorce and police certificates): £15.88 or $24 a page.
- Legal and financial documents (court judgments, bank statements, payslips): £41 or $40 a page.
For example, a marriage certificate, a birth certificate and a family certificate of one page each cost £47.64 or $72 in total. Express delivery within 24 hours adds 50%. You can price your documents online and see the total before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notarised translation for a spouse visa?
Usually not. The Home Office and USCIS ask for a certified translation by a competent translator. A notary only confirms a signature, not the accuracy of the translation, so notarisation adds cost without changing what is checked. If your receiving office asks for more, follow its instructions.
Does my partner's divorce need translating as well?
Yes, if it is not in English. Both partners may need to show that earlier marriages have ended. For a US spouse visa, the State Department asks for evidence that every prior marriage of the petitioning spouse ended too.
How quickly can you translate a spouse visa bundle?
Standard orders usually arrive within 2–3 UK working days, and express orders within 24 hours, any day of the week. When we can take it on, a 4-hour rush option appears on the order form for up to 3 pages. If you have a fixed deadline, tell us before you pay.
Should I order new certificates before translating them?
If your certificate is several years old, it is worth checking whether your route expects a recent copy. Ordering the new certificate first means you only pay to translate it once.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Family visas, information and evidence you must provide
- U.S. Department of State: Step 7, collect civil documents
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): USCIS translation requirement
- Related guide: Certified translation for a UK visa
This article is general information based on published guidance as of 3 November 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice, and requirements can change. Always check the current requirements with the office handling your case. Lexiveris Translations provides translation services only and is not affiliated with any government agency.