Colombia Club Part II

[KL77 0]

Im preparing to get documents ready for the IV package. I have some questions.

1) Does the photocopy of my wifes biographic page of the passport need to be translated?

2) Im petitioning my son (stepson). According to the Dept of state and US embassy Bogota webpage it doesnt mention anything about it. My wife has already obtained a legal document signed by his biological father granting permission. Does this document have to be sumbitted to NVC?

3) Translations, is it better for her to send me remaining documents and that I have them translated here in the US, or for her to get them translated there...(running around Bogota to get apostille..etc, we already did that for the I-130 documents while I was there).

4) NVC accpets certified copies, does this mean getting a copy with a stamp from a notaria? Im worried documents will get lost, and trying to obtain new originals is a pain in the cola in Colombia. We had to sit in a flota for 8 hours just to get a Batismal Certificiate.

Gracias!

[Mononoke28 134]

well I consulted again with the Consulate and for some reason, their response on the translation is yes they are needed. Well that sucks...oh well, I better do it. Two different people at the Consulate said that spanish- english translations are needed. Maybe they are just needed for DCF? Don't know...

apeters,

Translations are not needed because the embassy is fluent in both English and Spanish, that's why the NVC does not require them either before transferring the case the embassy. If the paperwork you're sending is in any language other than English or Spanish, then yes, translations would be needed.

As for your wife's last name, if she wants to use your last name in the US, she needs to fill out all of her paperwork with her new last name. If she doesn't, her green card and Social Security card will be issued with her maiden name.

Diana

[xelance 31]

that is exactly what I figured Diana, but I am just wondering because I was told by two different people that work at the Bogota consulate. I am super confused and I think you can understand why lol

[Mononoke28 134]

Im preparing to get documents ready for the IV package. I have some questions.

1) Does the photocopy of my wifes biographic page of the passport need to be translated?

2) Im petitioning my son (stepson). According to the Dept of state and US embassy Bogota webpage it doesnt mention anything about it. My wife has already obtained a legal document signed by his biological father granting permission. Does this document have to be sumbitted to NVC?

3) Translations, is it better for her to send me remaining documents and that I have them translated here in the US, or for her to get them translated there...(running around Bogota to get apostille..etc, we already did that for the I-130 documents while I was there).

4) NVC accpets certified copies, does this mean getting a copy with a stamp from a notaria? Im worried documents will get lost, and trying to obtain new originals is a pain in the cola in Colombia. We had to sit in a flota for 8 hours just to get a Batismal Certificiate.

Gracias!

Hello KL77,

1. No, your wife's biographical page does not need to be translated for 2 reasons: 1, translations are not needed at the NVC if the info is written in Spanish. And 2, her passport's bio page is also written in English.

2. The permission slip your wife currently has does not need to be sent to the NVC. However, your wife will need it to show it to the DAS at the airport the day they leave Colombia, without it, her son won't be allowed to leave. Now, this document has to be issued within a few weeks before departure or they won't allow him to leave either. That means the document she currently has won't be good the day they fly out to the US.

3. Translations are not needed at the NVC if the documents are issued in either English or Spanish.: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

Translation Requirements

All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations.

The documents don't need an apostille either, so don't bother with that.

4. As long as the documents are either original or certified copies, meaning they have a seal from the notary office saying the are certified, you'll be fine. It is not that bad to get certified copies from them if the notary office is not hours away.

Diana

[xelance 31]

as for my wife's name, she definitely wants to use my last name, but will this cause some sort of problem with the filing of the I 130 and supporting docs? That was my concern about this. I would think not, it is pretty common sense, but hell you never know...

[Mononoke28 134]

that is exactly what I figured Diana, but I am just wondering because I was told by two different people that work at the Bogota consulate. I am super confused and I think you can understand why lol

apeters,

The one thing you'll learn from this whole process is that the employees at the US Embassy don't know that much about the process. I hate to say it but you're 10 steps ahead of them throughout the way. Every time you contact them about one thing, they'll give you three different answers.

But you have two options: 1. Get whatever documents you need translated, don't get apostilles because they are not required. Or 2. Just send the documents without any translations, if for some reason they are needed, they'll contact you and ask you to submit them. No biggie since DCF is the fastest process to obtain an Immigrant visa, you'd lose a few days at the most.

Diana

[xelance 31]

for me, it makes literally no sense that I have to get translations, especially because I am going through the DCF process. If translations are not needed for NVC, why the heck would I need them here? People just do not like to make things easy uh?

[xelance 31]

apeters,

The one thing you'll learn from this whole process is that the employees at the US Embassy don't know that much about the process. I hate to say it but you're 10 steps ahead of them throughout the way. Every time you contact them about one thing, they'll give you three different answers.

But you have two options: 1. Get whatever documents you need translated, don't get apostilles because they are not required. Or 2. Just send the documents without any translations, if for some reason they are needed, they'll contact you and ask you to submit them. No biggie since DCF is the fastest process to obtain an Immigrant visa, you'd lose a few days at the most.

Diana

yep...its just that translations= money of course, and I am trying to save my pesos lol. You are right though...hmm maybe I should have my wife call and ask them in Spanish? maybe I would get a different answer hahahaha! Thanks again for your help, I appreciate it

[Mononoke28 134]

as for my wife's name, she definitely wants to use my last name, but will this cause some sort of problem with the filing of the I 130 and supporting docs? That was my concern about this. I would think not, it is pretty common sense, but hell you never know...

Since she wants to use your last name, everything related to her visa needs to be filled out with her new name. She won't have any issues with this change because you're submitting a copy of your marriage certificate with your application.

Diana

[xelance 31]

Since she wants to use your last name, everything related to her visa needs to be filled out with her new name. She won't have any issues with this change because you're submitting a copy of your marriage certificate with your application.

Diana

good point Diana, thanks again

[KL77 0]

Hello KL77,

1. No, your wife's biographical page does not need to be translated for 2 reasons: 1, translations are not needed at the NVC if the info is written in Spanish. And 2, her passport's bio page is also written in English.

2. The permission slip your wife currently has does not need to be sent to the NVC. However, your wife will need it to show it to the DAS at the airport the day they leave Colombia, without it, her son won't be allowed to leave. Now, this document has to be issued within a few weeks before departure or they won't allow him to leave either. That means the document she currently has won't be good the day they fly out to the US.

3. Translations are not needed at the NVC if the documents are issued in either English or Spanish.: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

Translation Requirements

All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations.

The documents don't need an apostille either, so don't bother with that.

4. As long as the documents are either original or certified copies, meaning they have a seal from the notary office saying the are certified, you'll be fine. It is not that bad to get certified copies from them if the notary office is not hours away.

Diana

Thanks Diana, I must have misunderstood, I focused on the "not in english" part. I will also have my wife look into it with DAS, her laweyer that handled the permission slip from said it was good for a year.

[Mononoke28 134]

Thanks Diana, I must have misunderstood, I focused on the "not in english" part. I will also have my wife look into it with DAS, her laweyer that handled the permission slip from said it was good for a year.

Unfortunately, it's up to the DAS official to either accept it or deny it. I've seen a couple of cases here where they were denied right before boarding because the permission slip was over a moth old. It's best to get a new one before take off just in case.

Diana

[PanamaJack 1]

Diana,

I went to my interview yesterday with my fiancee and I was told I need to get a DAS certificate !!!!!

I am a US Citizen and born in USA.. What is this about? They said they needed to see my entry and exits from Colombia for the past 10 years. And to see if I was ever arrested in COLOMBIA.........

What kind of BS is this? So we were put into AP because of ME !!! Is this normal for a US citizen to have to go to DAS ?

Edited May 14, 2010 by PanamaJack

[mike101 8]

Diana,

I went to my interview yesterday with my fiancee and I was told I need to get a DAS certificate !!!!!

I am a US Citizen and born in USA.. What is this about? They said they needed to see my entry and exits from Colombia for the past 10 years. And to see if I was ever arrested in COLOMBIA.........

What kind of BS is this? So we were put into AP because of ME !!! Is this normal for a US citizen to have to go to DAS ?

Wow... This is crazy.. I have never ready anything about this and am now concerned because We have our interview on June 9th. I myself the USC plan to be at the interview and the instructions in packet 4 dont say anything about the USC needing a DAS certificate...???!?!!?!?

It seems like they are making up the rules as they go along... :angry:

[PanamaJack 1]

Wow... This is crazy.. I have never ready anything about this and am now concerned because We have our interview on June 9th. I myself the USC plan to be at the interview and the instructions in packet 4 dont say anything about the USC needing a DAS certificate...???!?!!?!?

It seems like they are making up the rules as they go along... :angry:

Mike No Chit,

I almost freaked the F out when they told me this....I also never heard of this . I never even read

about this here on VJ... Mabye it is something new or I had a real a$$hole for a interviewer.