Custody judgment Translation

A custody judgment is a court decision showing which parent has custody of a child; it is usually part of a divorce judgment and sometimes a separate decision. Its translation is required for visa applications, relocation abroad, school enrollment, passport procedures and maintenance enforcement.

In almost every overseas procedure involving children under 18, the custody judgment is included in the file together with a letter of consent: depending on who has custody, consulates require the other parent's consent or this judgment proving custody. The operative part of the judgment, contact arrangements and certificate of finality are translated in full.

Which institutions request this document?

• Consulates — in visa files for children under 18
• Foreign immigration authorities and schools
• Foreign courts — in maintenance and recognition files
• Passport and civil registry authorities

Certification requirements

Preparing your document

• Send a complete copy of the judgment bearing a certificate of finality; the operative page alone may not be sufficient
• Provide the child's and parents' names as spelled in their passports
• If a letter of consent is also needed in the file, plan them together; both documents are prepared consistently in one file

Frequently asked questions