Portuguese Divorce Decree Translation to English for U.S. Immigration
When do you need certified translation of your divorce paper from Portuguese to English?
If you are marrying an American and got divorced before, then U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service - INS) asks you to submit “certified translation” of your certificate of divorce.
Certified translation of your divorce paper is requested before you apply for fiancé visa (K-1 or K-2) or marriage visa. Some immigrants bring “certificate of single” to prove that they are not currently married. However, this certificate is primarily for those who have never married before.
Courts in the United States also require certified translation of your Portuguese divorce decree (issued in Portugal or Brazil) when you apply for marriage.
Divorce procedure in Portugal and Brazil
In Portugal, Divorce in Portugal can be based on mutual consent or contested. Maintenance of spouse and children (alimony) and paternal authority (custody) are arranged either mutually or by the court.
Spouses are not required to show a reason for dissolution of marriage in mutually agreed divorce cases. However, in contested divorce cases, one of the spouses needs to claim violation by the other in the areas of reputation, fidelity, assistance, cohabitation (separation for three consecutive years), cooperation, etc. Separation does not result in dissolution of marriage. Divorced spouse may maintain the last name.
In Brazil, constitution had a provision making marriage indissoluble contract. Divorce in Brazil became legal in 1977 due to long resistance by the Roman Catholic Church. Rich people traveled to Mexico and Uruguay to get a divorce and remarry.
Divorce in Brazil is more complicated and takes long time. Spouses apply to a Notary Public to get a divorce. Being separated for at least one year is required. Divorce is recorded by Brazilian Registry Office.
How can you get your certified divorce decree translation from Portuguese to English?
We provide Certification by Translator document on our corporate letterhead with our authorized signature and raised (embossed) corporate seal with a statement as required by the USCIS and other agencies and organizations.
Notarization, in addition to certification, is not required by USCIS or U.S. Passport Agency. However, you may need notarization if you are not in the United States and applying to consulate office of the American embassy.
