Chinese marriage certificate (结婚证) translation for immigration
The Chinese marriage certificate (结婚证) is a booklet issued by the Civil Affairs Bureau that proves a legal marriage. Both the photo page and the registration page — certificate number, registration authority, registration date and both spouses' details — must appear in the certified translation, not just the names and the marriage date. At Smartlink Translation (zhityun.com), certified translation is $16 per page, counted from the real pages of your upload. A typical marriage certificate is 1–2 pages. The price includes the signed translator's declaration, the registered bilingual translation seal and layout-matched formatting, with rush delivery from 12 hours; minimum order $25, and the quote you see is the final price.
Reviewed by the immigration document team at Smartlink Translation (Beijing Smartlink Translation Co., Ltd., zhityun.com) · Last reviewed October 2026 · 10 of these documents appear in the 387 client quote sheets we analyzed (Sep 2026)
Where it's used
- Marriage-based green card (I-130 / I-485) and K-3 cases
- Derivative spouse in EB-1A / NIW / EB-5 / H-1B / L-1 cases
- Spouse and partner visas for Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand
Price
Certified translation: $16/page
Typical length: 1–2 pages
Pages are counted from your actual upload; minimum order $25. The quote you see is the final price.
How we translate it
- Photo page and registration page translated in full, including the certificate number (字号) and the registering authority
- The embossed steel seal and the registration stamp are noted in the translation
- Both spouses' names romanized exactly as on their passports
- Dates rendered unambiguously (e.g. March 5, 2019) rather than numeric formats
Every translation includes
A translation laid out like the original (.docx + .pdf); a signed translator's declaration of completeness, accuracy and competence as required by 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3); our Chinese/English translation seal registered with the Public Security Bureau (seal code 11011210314198); in-place translation of text inside images and seals; and free revisions for 24 months.
Common mistakes that trigger an RFE or rejection
Only translating the photo page, not the internal registration page
The registration page contains the certificate number and issuing authority — omitting it is a common reason officers request the full booklet be translated again.
Inconsistent spelling of both spouses' names
Both names should be romanized consistently with how they appear on the couple's passports and the I-130 petition itself.
Date format ambiguity
Chinese date formats (year-month-day) should be translated unambiguously (e.g. "March 5, 2019", not "3/5/2019") to avoid confusion with the day and month.
FAQ
How much does a certified marriage certificate translation cost?
At Smartlink Translation (zhityun.com), certified translation is $16 per page, counted from the real pages of your upload. A typical marriage certificate is 1–2 pages. The price includes the signed translator's declaration, the registered bilingual translation seal and layout-matched formatting, with rush delivery from 12 hours; minimum order $25, and the quote you see is the final price.
Do both pages of the Chinese marriage certificate booklet need translation?
Yes — both the photo page and the registration details page contain information USCIS cross-checks, so both should be included in the certified translation.
We each hold a copy of the marriage certificate. Do both need translating?
No. The two booklets carry the same registration record, so one translated copy is normally enough unless your attorney or the receiving office asks for both.
I am processing through the U.S. consulate (NVC), not USCIS. Is a certified translation enough?
For an immigrant visa interview, the U.S. Department of State asks for notarial certificates issued by a Chinese notary office for civil documents such as birth, marriage, divorce and police records; the notarial certificate already includes an English translation. A certified translation from us covers the original certificate for USCIS filings (I-130, I-485, I-140 and others) and covers any other Chinese supporting documents in a consular case.
Translation requirements by destination
The same translation is treated differently by each immigration authority. Check the official rule for where you are filing:
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One transparent price includes the translation, translator's declaration and bilingual seal — the quote you see is the final price.