Visto n' Visa

Does the sponsor need to send the death certificate of the ex-spouse?

For Family Based processes, sending the ex-spouse''s death certificate proves the legal termination of the marriage, avoiding delays and impediments in the immigration petition.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on March 18, 2026
2 min read
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In Family Based immigration processes, it is essential to clearly demonstrate the sponsor”s marital status to prove that the previous marriage was properly terminated. If the ex-spouse has passed away, the death certificate can be an important document to prove that there are no legal impediments regarding the capacity to remarry or support the family-based petition.

When submitting your application, the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) requires documentation proving the dissolution of the previous marriage, either by divorce or death. In the case of death, the death certificate serves as proof that the previous bond was legally terminated. Therefore, it is recommended to send this document along with other records that prove your current marital status to avoid delays or additional requests.

It is always important to strictly follow U.S. immigration laws and consult the USCIS” updated guidelines. Seeking information from official sources and paying attention to companies specialized in immigration matters, while avoiding miraculous promises or marketing campaigns guaranteeing results, is fundamental for a safe and transparent process.

Remember that each case is unique; therefore, ensuring your documents are complete and compliant with official requirements can make all the difference for the smooth progress of your process.

Learn more about Family Based

Type
Family-sponsored Green Card
Sponsor
U.S. citizen or LPR
Petition
Form I-130
Processing
12 months to several years
All about Family Based

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

Does the sponsor need to send the death certificate of the ex-spouse?

For Family Based processes, sending the ex-spouse''s death certificate proves the legal termination of the marriage, avoiding delays and impediments in the immigration petition.

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