Civil Documents · Updated August 2026
The Civil Documents You Need, Country by Country
Every country issues birth, police, and marriage records differently. Pick your country to see exactly what USCIS wants for a marriage green card, who issues each document, what it costs, and how to order it.
Start here
Most marriage green card applicants need three core documents from their home country: a birth certificate, a police certificate, and a marriage certificate or proof of single status. Open your country below for the exact steps.
Your path at a glance
- 1
Find your country below and open its guide to see the exact civil documents USCIS expects.
- 2
Gather the core records, usually a birth certificate, a police certificate, and a marriage certificate or proof of single status.
- 3
Add a certified English translation for any non-English document. You can translate and self-certify it yourself; USCIS does not require a licensed translator.
- 4
File your marriage green card. Green Card Genius guides you through every form and document for $99.
Choose your country
Guides for the highest-volume marriage green card countries, with more on the way.
- Mexico3 core documents · Apostille country
- Philippines3 core documents · Apostille country
- India3 core documents · Apostille country
- Dominican Republic3 core documents · Apostille country
- China3 core documents · Apostille country
- Vietnam3 core documents · No apostille
- Colombia3 core documents · Apostille country
- Nigeria3 core documents · No apostille
- Jamaica3 core documents · Apostille country
- El Salvador3 core documents · Apostille country
- Brazil3 core documents · Apostille country
- Guatemala3 core documents · Apostille country
- Honduras3 core documents · Apostille country
- Ecuador3 core documents · Apostille country
- Peru3 core documents · Apostille country
- Ghana3 core documents · No apostille
- Pakistan3 core documents · Apostille country
- Bangladesh3 core documents · Apostille country
- Haiti3 core documents · No apostille
- South Korea3 core documents · Apostille country
- United Kingdom3 core documents · Apostille country
- Canada3 core documents · Apostille country
- Ukraine3 core documents · Apostille country
- Venezuela3 core documents · Apostille country
- Cuba3 core documents · No apostille
- Kenya3 core documents · No apostille
- Ethiopia3 core documents · No apostille
- Egypt3 core documents · No apostille
- Thailand3 core documents · No apostille
- Russia3 core documents · Apostille country
What is true for every country
- ✓
USCIS wants a certified copy of each civil record plus a complete English translation for anything not in English.
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An apostille is generally not required for a marriage green card filed inside the U.S., even for countries in the Apostille Convention.
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A home-country police certificate is usually needed only for consular processing abroad, not for adjustment of status inside the U.S.
- ✓
Any competent bilingual person can translate a document and self-certify it. You do not have to hire a certified translator.
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Order fresh certified copies close to when you file, since stale or short-form copies are a common cause of delay.
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