A marriage certificate translation for immigration purposes
If you are planning to live permanently in a country such as Australia and already hold the appropriate visa, you will be asked to provide key legal documents that help confirm your identity before your entry is finalised. One of these documents is often your marriage certificate.
If your marriage took place outside Australia and the certificate is not in English, you will need to have it translated before submitting it to immigration authorities. In Australia, immigration departments generally require translations to be completed by a professionally certified translator. Certification applies to the individual translator and confirms that the translation has been completed accurately and responsibly in the relevant language pair.
Choosing the right marriage certificate translator is important.
Choose your marriage certificate translator carefully
You should avoid selecting the first translator you find online. A poorly translated marriage certificate may not be accepted by immigration authorities, which can lead to delays or complications with your application. In some cases, this could affect employment start dates or travel plans if your arrival in Australia is postponed.
Instead of choosing just one translator, consider contacting two or three and asking for evidence of previous work, such as testimonials or confirmation that their translations have been accepted by Australian authorities in the past.
Get your marriage certificate translation certified
A professional marriage certificate translator should be confident in their work and willing to certify the translation. This usually involves signing the translation and confirming that it is a true and accurate representation of the original document. Certification is provided by the individual translator and supports the document’s acceptance by official bodies.
A marriage certificate translation for the Family Court
Some people who move to Australia later experience relationship breakdowns and need to apply for divorce. In these situations, you may be required to attend the Family Court and submit a translated copy of your marriage certificate.
There are specific requirements when providing a marriage certificate translation for court use. In many cases, the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit from the translator confirming its accuracy. If you advise your chosen translator that the translation is for divorce proceedings, they will usually be aware of this requirement. The affidavit is commonly provided at an additional cost.
Family Law Rules excerpt
Under the Family Law Rules 2004, documents filed with the court must be in English. If a marriage certificate is issued in another language, a translation is required. The translator must verify the accuracy of the translation and provide a signed affidavit confirming their professional certification and competency in the relevant languages.
Common languages for marriage certificate translations
Professionally certified translators commonly provide marriage certificate translations in languages such as Arabic, German, Chinese, Dari, Dutch, Sinhalese, Bosnian, Greek, Nepali, Malay, Ukrainian, French, Persian (Farsi), Indonesian, Portuguese, Urdu, Czech, Korean, Latin, Polish, Japanese, Serbian, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Vietnamese, Croatian and Danish.
A marriage certificate translation to change your name
If you were married outside Australia and your marriage certificate is not in English, you may need a translation to update your name when returning to Australia. This can apply to official records such as your drivers licence, Medicare card, passport and Australian Taxation Office records.
Australian government agencies generally require name changes to be supported by an English translation prepared by a professionally certified translator. You may also need the translation to be formally certified before submitting it to the relevant authorities.
How long does a marriage certificate translation take?
Most marriage certificate translations completed by professionally certified translators can be finalised within three working days of receiving the document. Faster turnaround times are often available if required.
Before the translation is completed, the translator may provide a draft by email for your review. Once approved, the final certified translation is usually sent electronically, with a hard copy provided if requested. If an affidavit is required, additional time may be needed to complete the process.
