Is translation necessary?

[Lena and Igor 5]

I know based on the instructions on the US Embassy site and in packet 4, if and when documents requested by the CO are in Russian, is it his discretion to request some or all to be translated into English? All of our documents are either Russsian or Ukrainian. Should we translate all into English? Or is this a non-issue? Thank?

Igor and Lena

[jkelly07 120]

if not in english then the documents need to be translated birthcertificate, divorce, marriagecertificate,death certificate,

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Kiev has changed their policy and now accepts documents in Russian or Ukrainian without translation. Bring the original and a copy, they will keep the copy.

if not in english then the documents need to be translated birthcertificate, divorce, marriagecertificate,death certificate,

This is a consulate specific question and needs an answer from someone familiar with the consulate. Your answer is not correct for the Kiev consulate.

Edited May 22, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[Lena and Igor 5]

Thanks for your response. Here is what the US Embassy in Kiev states:

TRANSLATIONS: Documents in English, Ukrainian or Russian do not need to be translated. When you arrive for the interview, you MUST present all the original documents accompanied by an English translation, which is produced by a certified translator, only if the document is not in English, Ukrainian or Russian. After the interview, all originals except the medical examination report will be returned to you. The consular officer has the right to request translation of any submitted document.

But, it is my understanding that the CO has the discretion to ask for any documents presented to be translated into English. Does this really happen. Experienced VJ'ers please? Thanks.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for your response. Here is what the US Embassy in Kiev states:

TRANSLATIONS: Documents in English, Ukrainian or Russian do not need to be translated. When you arrive for the interview, you MUST present all the original documents accompanied by an English translation, which is produced by a certified translator, only if the document is not in English, Ukrainian or Russian. After the interview, all originals except the medical examination report will be returned to you. The consular officer has the right to request translation of any submitted document.

But, it is my understanding that the CO has the discretion to ask for any documents presented to be translated into English. Does this really happen. Experienced VJ'ers please? Thanks.

It has not to my knowledge since the policy changed which has been more than 1 year.

Government agencies ALWAYS reserve rights for themselves. Did you know that the K-1 visa is no guarantee of entry into the US? The final decision is at the discretion of the border officer she meets at the POE. There is no noeed to translate documents for Kiev if they are in Russian, Ukrainian or English.

[ONA 133]

Thanks for your response. Here is what the US Embassy in Kiev states:

TRANSLATIONS: Documents in English, Ukrainian or Russian do not need to be translated. When you arrive for the interview, you MUST present all the original documents accompanied by an English translation, which is produced by a certified translator, only if the document is not in English, Ukrainian or Russian. After the interview, all originals except the medical examination report will be returned to you. The consular officer has the right to request translation of any submitted document.

I would do the translations just in case. It won't hurt + better safe than sorry.

[Lena and Igor 5]

I would do the translations just in case. It won't hurt + better safe than sorry.

Yes, this is my thought as well is to better be safe than sorry and translate but, but, but, Lena wants to know if it is necessary...this is a difficult question to answer because of the remote possibility that the CO (may) ask for the English translation. Then, Lena says, "well, who can translate? Is it anybody from the street? This person must have a certificate or license to translate professionally and, and this person also must put a notary stamp on each document!" - Whooo-ooch!

There is no definitive answer as I see it. I will call Kiev tomorrow and ask for their take on this. I'm sure the official instruction will be read to me as the last time I called for 12 USD.

Thanks for your continuing support!

Igor

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Yes, this is my thought as well is to better be safe than sorry and translate but, but, but, Lena wants to know if it is necessary...this is a difficult question to answer because of the remote possibility that the CO (may) ask for the English translation. Then, Lena says, "well, who can translate? Is it anybody from the street? This person must have a certificate or license to translate professionally and, and this person also must put a notary stamp on each document!" - Whooo-ooch!

There is no definitive answer as I see it. I will call Kiev tomorrow and ask for their take on this. I'm sure the official instruction will be read to me as the last time I called for 12 USD.

Thanks for your continuing support!

Igor

The US consulate only requires that the person doing the translations be competent in both languages. There is no lisence needed. You or her can translate them yourselves and certify them such as...

I ______________________________ certify that I am competent in the English and ________________ language and that this is a true and accurate translation of the ______________________. Translated from the original on _________________

Name of Translator

Address of Translator

Phone number of Translator

Signature of translator

That is it. Alla has done dozens of translations for the Kiev and Moscow consulates(before they dropped the requirement) and never had a problem with that certification.

I will repeat though, it is not necessary to translate documents if they are in Russian, Ukrainian or English for the Kiev consulate.

[Lena and Igor 5]

Thank you all again.