Certified Translation

[NateM 0]

Hello everyone,

I am going through a (US) law firm to apply for a K-1 visa for my fiancee in Thailand.

One thing they request is a "Certified Translation" of her birth certificate if it is not already

in English (which it turns out it's not).

She can have it translated at what I understand is a government office in Thailand for

about $10. What I'm wondering is, would this be an alternative to having it translated

in the US? Or could this cause problems down the road?

The issue is simply cost... I've just found out that this law firm's $1,800 fee does not cover

any extras - not even the USCIS filing fee! They've referred me to a company that charges

$65 a page (and there are actually two documents to translate, as she changed her first

name several years ago). With the extra fees for "certification," I'll be looking at a min-

imum of $160.

Perhaps I should just ask the law firm directly, but I figure they'll just tell me I have to use

this company they refer people to. I am asking here first to get an unbiased opinion.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[mnieto 2]

Hi Nate,

sorry, I don't have the answer to your question, but I just wanted to say that you can go through this whole K1 process without that super expensive law company. If you don't have a complicated case, all you need is the guides here on VJ! You should safe that $1.800 and use it for the upcoming wedding! If you have any special questions you can always ask the folks here! All the best of luck!

[mnieto 2]

Like I said, if your case is not extra complicated, all you need is this guide:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1guide

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

The lawyer is usually just a waste of money. But if you have already hired the law firm, there's nothing you can do about it now.

To answer your question... If cost is a concern, you should try to do the translations abroad. US companies charge as much as $100/page. I translated 2 one-page documents in my fiancee home country (Costa Rica) for $25 each. I was quoted $85 each here in the states.

As long as the company can certify the translation with a stamp or a seal or something, it will do.

Edited March 18, 2008 by kid brooklyn

[NateM 0]

Thank you all for the input

I am on a payment plan with the law firm, and so far have just made

an initial payment of $500. So I suppose I could still bail, as I have yet

to submit any info/documents.

Here is why I chose to use a law firm (and please feel free to comment

as to whether my reasoning is sound, as I could be wrong)...

I only have 3 pictures of me and my fiancee together, all taken on the

same day at the same beach. In each picture, I am wearing sunglasses,

though the photos are close up enough to tell that it's me (still, I figure

wearing sunglasses isn't a good thing). Also, the pics aren't dated.

In addition, I still have my flight itinerary, but not the boarding passes.

We also didn't do a lot of emailing prior to meeting, but rather, communicated

through Instant Messenger (only saving a few trivial conversations) and over the

phone. Fortunately, I do have receipts of the phone cards I used.

Anyway, due to the above factors, I fear that there are some weaknesses in

my case. Therefore, I figured hiring a reputable law firm might add some

leverage and help assure success.

Are my concerns reasonable, or am I worrying too much? Let me know your

thoughts.

NateM

[SqdnGuns 21]

Thank you all for the input

I am on a payment plan with the law firm, and so far have just made

an initial payment of $500. So I suppose I could still bail, as I have yet

to submit any info/documents.

Here is why I chose to use a law firm (and please feel free to comment

as to whether my reasoning is sound, as I could be wrong)...

I only have 3 pictures of me and my fiancee together, all taken on the

same day at the same beach. In each picture, I am wearing sunglasses,

though the photos are close up enough to tell that it's me (still, I figure

wearing sunglasses isn't a good thing). Also, the pics aren't dated.

In addition, I still have my flight itinerary, but not the boarding passes.

We also didn't do a lot of emailing prior to meeting, but rather, communicated

through Instant Messenger (only saving a few trivial conversations) and over the

phone. Fortunately, I do have receipts of the phone cards I used.

Anyway, due to the above factors, I fear that there are some weaknesses in

my case. Therefore, I figured hiring a reputable law firm might add some

leverage and help assure success.

Are my concerns reasonable, or am I worrying too much? Let me know your

thoughts.

NateM

NateM,

Take some time reading this thread, specifically for Thailand. There is a wealth of info in there that will be useful for you.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=78&st=2475

Chok Dee!!

[NCWife 0]

I believe you don't need to use translators from the US. You can always locate one OFFICIAL translator to do the translation in Thailand. I did mine in Malaysia and the Embassy said that it's acceptable, as long as it is done by an official translator.

Cheers.