United Kingdom Civil Documents · Updated August 2026
The Civil Documents You Need From the United Kingdom for a U.S. Marriage Green Card
Every civil document U.S. immigration asks for from the United Kingdom is in English and orderable online, so a British applicant can assemble a clean marriage green card packet without translations or an in-person visit.
Quick answer
For a U.S. marriage green card, the British spouse generally needs the Birth Certificate, Police Certificate, and Marriage Certificate. An apostille is generally not required by USCIS for a filing inside the U.S. The documents are in English, so nothing needs translating.
- 3 core documents
- Birth Certificate
- Police Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- No apostille needed
For a filing inside the U.S., USCIS accepts a certified copy of the record as issued.
- Documents are in English
United Kingdom issues these records in English, so there is nothing to translate.
The documents you actually need
Start with these core records in order. Each one lists who issues it, what it costs, how long it takes, and exactly what USCIS wants.
Birth Certificate
What USCIS needs: USCIS wants a certified long-form (full) birth certificate that lists parents' names. The short-form (abbreviated) certificate is not accepted.
How to get it: Order online through the GRO at gov.uk. Having your GRO index reference number speeds it up; without it you can still order using name, date and place of birth for a small extra search fee.
- Issued by
- General Register Office (England & Wales); NRS (Scotland); GRONI (Northern Ireland)
- Cost
- Approx GBP 12.50 standard, GBP 38.50 priority (approx USD 16 / USD 49). Approx GBP 3 extra per search if you lack the GRO index reference.
- Timing
- Standard copies dispatched about 4 working days after ordering; priority service next working day if ordered by the cutoff. Records without a reference can take up to 15 working days.
Police Certificate
What USCIS needs: Required for consular processing (applicants 16 and older) and is treated as valid for 12 months from issuance, so time it close to your interview. For adjustment of status inside the U.S., USCIS does not require it; a police certificate is only requested if a consular officer or USCIS specifically asks.
How to get it: Apply online at acro.police.uk with a valid passport and proof of identity. It reports your UK police record and is the certificate U.S. immigration recognizes.
- Issued by
- ACRO Criminal Records Office
- Cost
- Approx GBP 65 standard (up to 10 working days) or GBP 115 premium (2 working days), roughly USD 82 / USD 145. Optional FCDO apostille adds about GBP 45.
- Timing
- Standard up to 10 working days; premium targets 2 working days.
Marriage Certificate
What USCIS needs: Submit a recent certified copy showing the embossed or stamped GRO or register office seal, not a laminated original or a photocopy. The UK stopped issuing green marriage certificates for new marriages in May 2021; a plain white certified copy is standard.
How to get it: Order a certified copy online through the GRO at gov.uk, or from the local register office where the marriage was recorded. If you have never married, no single-status certificate exists in the UK, so a written statement covers it.
- Issued by
- General Register Office / local register office
- Cost
- Approx GBP 12.50 standard, GBP 38.50 priority (approx USD 16 / USD 49); local register office fees vary.
- Timing
- Standard copies dispatched about 4 working days after ordering; priority next working day if ordered by the cutoff.
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At a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Apostille status | The United Kingdom is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, and apostilles are issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office. USCIS generally does not require an apostille on UK civil documents; a certified copy of the original is enough. |
| How records are kept | Records are split by nation: the General Register Office covers England & Wales, National Records of Scotland covers Scotland, and GRONI covers Northern Ireland. Most certificates can be ordered online. |
| Typical time to gather | Certificates usually arrive within about 4 working days on the standard GRO service; the ACRO police certificate takes up to 10 working days standard. |
| Translation | UK documents are issued in English, so no translation is needed for USCIS. |
Source: U.S. State Dept Reciprocity Schedule: United Kingdom. Verified August 2026. Need to translate a document? See our certified translation guide.
Full document reference
Every civil record from the United Kingdom that can come up in a marriage green card case, with the issuing authority, cost, and how to obtain it.
| Document | Issuing authority | Cost | How to obtain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | GRO (England & Wales); NRS (Scotland); GRONI (Northern Ireland) | Approx GBP 12.50 (USD 16) | Order the long-form full certificate online at gov.uk; short form not accepted |
| Marriage Certificate | GRO / local register office | Approx GBP 12.50 (USD 16) | Order a certified copy online at gov.uk or from the local register office |
| Divorce Certificate | Issuing court / HMCTS Central Family Court | Approx GBP 1 per copy plus search fee | Request a certified copy of the decree absolute (or final order) from the court that granted it |
| Death Certificate | GRO / local register office | Approx GBP 12.50 (USD 16) | Order a certified copy online at gov.uk (needed if a prior spouse is deceased) |
| Police Certificate | ACRO Criminal Records Office | Approx GBP 65 (USD 82) | Apply online at acro.police.uk with passport; consular filings only |
What applicants report
“British filers on the forums repeatedly warn that the biggest avoidable mistake is submitting the short-form birth certificate; USCIS and the consulate want the long-form full version that names your parents. The other recurring tip is to hold the ACRO police certificate until your interview is near, since it is treated as valid for only 12 months.”
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See how it worksFrequently asked questions
Do I need to translate my UK documents for USCIS?
No. UK birth, marriage, and police certificates are issued in English, so no certified translation is required for USCIS or the U.S. consulate.
Does USCIS require an apostille on my UK birth or marriage certificate?
Generally no. USCIS accepts a certified copy of the original UK certificate. The UK is a Hague Apostille member and the FCDO can issue an apostille, but that step is usually only needed if a specific consular officer requests legalisation.
Which birth certificate does USCIS accept from the UK?
The certified long-form (full) birth certificate that lists your parents' names. The short-form abbreviated version is not accepted.
Do I need a UK police certificate if I am adjusting status inside the United States?
Usually not. A police certificate is required for consular processing abroad for applicants 16 and older, but for adjustment of status USCIS does not routinely require one; provide it only if specifically asked.
How long is a UK ACRO police certificate valid?
It is generally treated as valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, so order it close to your interview rather than early in the process.
Key takeaways
- ✓
The core documents most British applicants need are the Birth Certificate, Police Certificate, Marriage Certificate.
- ✓
United Kingdom is a Hague Apostille Convention member, but USCIS generally does not require an apostille for a marriage green card filed inside the U.S.
- ✓
United Kingdom documents are issued in English, so there is nothing to translate for USCIS.
- ✓
A home-country police certificate is generally needed only for consular processing abroad, not for adjustment of status inside the U.S.
- ✓
Order fresh certified copies close to when you file, since older originals and short-form copies are common causes of delay.
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