Do I need to send an original marriage certificate for L-2 dependents?

Not always. For L-2 dependents, the requirements regarding the marriage certificate may vary depending on the U.S. consulate or embassy handling your case. In most cases, submitting the original document is not mandatory.

Generally, a certified copy of the certificate is accepted, or a plain copy accompanied by a sworn translation when the document is not in English. The purpose is to establish the marital relationship that supports the dependent status of the L-1 visa holder.

That said, some posts may request the original at a certain stage or require a specific form of authentication. For that reason, it is worth keeping a few points in mind:

• Read the instructions from the responsible consulate or embassy carefully.
• Keep the original document accessible in case it is requested.
• Obtain a sworn translation if the certificate is not in English.

Because each post may have its own guidelines, confirm the current requirements on the official U.S. Department of State website or directly with the consular unit that will handle your case before submitting your documents.

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.