Foreign Documents Apostilled for US Immigration — USCIS, NVC, Green Card
Apostille and certified English translation of foreign civil documents for US Green Card, NVC consular processing, and work visas. Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and all Latin American countries processed remotely.
- Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina
- USCIS-compliant certified translations
- NVC consular processing format
- 100% remote service
What US immigration process are you in?
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What US immigration process are you in?
Apostille for US immigration: country-by-country
Every Hague Convention member country uses apostille for document authentication. The authority and process vary by country — here are the key sources for the most common Latin American countries in US immigration cases.
Required documents
| Document | Issuing authority | Estimated time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign civil documents — apostilled | Issuing country apostille authority | Before submission to USCIS or NVC | Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates from Hague Convention member countries must be apostilled by the competent authority in the issuing country. Documents from non-Hague countries require consular legalization. |
| Criminal background check — apostilled | National police authority of each country where applicant lived | Within 15 months of NVC submission | USCIS and the National Visa Center require apostilled criminal record certificates from each country where the beneficiary has lived for 6+ months. Mexico: SESNSP. Colombia: Policía Nacional. Brazil: Polícia Federal (PF) via CNJ. |
| Certified English translation | USCIS-compliant certified translator | 1–2 business days per document | USCIS requires certified English translation of all foreign-language documents. The translator must certify that they are competent in the source language and that the translation is accurate. Notarized translations are required in some state court proceedings. |
How the process works
We identify the origin country of each document and whether it requires apostille (Hague member countries) or full consular legalization (non-Hague countries like China, Qatar). Documents from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru all get apostilled — not legalized.
Each document is apostilled by the correct authority: Mexico — SRE or TAD digital apostille via SEGOB. Colombia — Cancillería (sole apostille authority). Brazil — CNJ portal. Argentina — TAD system via Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. We coordinate directly with these systems.
All apostilled foreign-language documents require USCIS-compliant certified English translation. Our translators certify competency as required by USCIS. We do not use machine translation or uncertified translators.
We deliver documents in the format required by USCIS Form I-485 packages, NVC document submissions, or DS-260 consular processing, depending on your case stage. Digital PDF delivery for online submissions; physical originals by tracked courier when required.
Official sources & authorities
Information on this page is based on procedures from recognized government and intergovernmental bodies — not third-party estimates.
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Reviewed by
Laura ChenLegal Document Expert
Specialist in documents for the English-speaking market with a focus on fast and secure processing.
Frequently asked questions
Does USCIS require apostilled documents?
USCIS does not require apostille stamps on foreign documents submitted with immigration petitions — but the NVC (National Visa Center) and consular posts do for consular processing. For adjustment of status (I-485), USCIS primarily requires certified English translations. For DS-260 consular processing, original apostilled documents plus translations are typically required. Verify the specific requirements for your case type.
Which Latin American countries use apostille for US immigration?
All major Latin American countries are Hague Convention members and use apostille: Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, and most of Central America. Documents from these countries are apostilled — not legalized through embassies or consulates.
How do I apostille a Mexican birth certificate for USCIS?
Mexican civil registry documents (actas) can be apostilled digitally via SEGOB's TAD system or through the Secretaría de Gobernación. Some states also offer in-person apostille. We coordinate the most current method for each Mexican state — the process varies depending on the state where the document was originally registered.
Does a Colombian apostille need to be from the Cancillería?
Yes. Colombia has a single apostille authority: the Cancillería (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores). Unlike Mexico, which has multiple routes, all Colombian apostilles go through the Cancillería. We coordinate apostille for Colombian documents including actas del Registro Civil and Policía Nacional certificates.
What is the USCIS translation requirement for foreign documents?
USCIS requires that all foreign-language documents submitted with immigration applications be accompanied by a full certified English translation. The translator must certify their competency in both languages and that the translation is accurate and complete. Machine translation (DeepL, Google Translate) is not accepted. We provide USCIS-compliant certified translations.
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