Tranlator

[KimandRuss 0]

GUZ refers to the Embassy you'll be dealing with not the 'certified translator'. And yes, the interview is Embassy specific and you will do well to follow pushbrks advice there when the time comes.

It's common knowledge that China is a high fraud Country. There is a high level of immigrant fraud. You will most certainly face added scrutiny so do your best to prepare. Visit the Regional forums here on VJ as well as www.candleforlove.com for starters.

much luck to you.

[pushbrk 13,137]

hmm... how do you know the embassy is a high fraud Embassy...

Anyways, I dont need a GUZ for now, but my fiancee probley will need one for the interview later?

Well it's common knowledge but if you want to goolge "Guangzhou high fraud" you'll get some hits. It's a Consulate, not an Embassy but all family based visa interviews for China are conducted in Guangzhou. GUZ is a Dept. of State station code for Guangzhou.

No probably about it. Your fiance will need to obtain translations of all Chinese official documents mentioned here

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/up...ts_-_OF-169.pdf

from the local Gong Zheng Chu. (Notarial Office) I'd get the divorce decree done while she's at it. Some documents like the police report and single certificate need to wait until closer to the interview.

Edited February 23, 2009 by pushbrk

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

The OP's question was pertaining to the original filing of the petition in which USCIS clearly states their policy.

However, pushbrk is right in that when the time comes it's important that THIS OP understands that dealing with GUZ is going to be an uphill battle. There will be added requirements as well as added scrutiny at the interview stage for sure. It's best to prepare yourself as early as possible when dealing with a high fraud Embassy.

Joe & Nadya, because you decided to use a translator for your own petition does not mean that the answer to the OP's question is 'yes' like you stated. A translator does not need to be certified for uscis purposes. It's really that simple. Anyone else coming in here is going to look at these threads for answers to their own questions and it's imporant that accurate information is posted for that reason. We are dealing with people's lives here.

I didn't decide anything.. why I said "yes" that because we had problems in past in Ukraine with translations. That's all. I couldn't be translator even I have a translation certificate.

[JPmirage 0]

oh thanks for the advice. My fiancee is currently studying in a japanese university in Okinawa and I was told by a lawer dealing with visa, she can have her interview at Japan so long as her visa lasts till after the interview period. I think we should be ok though

[pushbrk 13,137]

oh thanks for the advice. My fiancee is currently studying in a japanese university in Okinawa and I was told by a lawer dealing with visa, she can have her interview at Japan so long as her visa lasts till after the interview period. I think we should be ok though

Yes, it sounds like she COULD have her visa interview in Japan but that opens up a whole other can of worms, I can't address. You'll need to contact the appropriate Consulate for clarification of their expectations for translating official Chinese documents. I doubt they'll be different than those at GUZ but they could be. She'll still need a birth certificate, police report, single certificate, etc. and I think the best way to obtain those is still going to involve the Gong Zheng Chu in her Chinese residential jurisdiction.

Edited February 23, 2009 by pushbrk

[Minya's wife 25]

The OP's question was pertaining to the original filing of the petition in which USCIS clearly states their policy.

However, pushbrk is right in that when the time comes it's important that THIS OP understands that dealing with GUZ is going to be an uphill battle. There will be added requirements as well as added scrutiny at the interview stage for sure. It's best to prepare yourself as early as possible when dealing with a high fraud Embassy.

Joe & Nadya, because you decided to use a translator for your own petition does not mean that the answer to the OP's question is 'yes' like you stated. A translator does not need to be certified for uscis purposes. It's really that simple. Anyone else coming in here is going to look at these threads for answers to their own questions and it's imporant that accurate information is posted for that reason. We are dealing with people's lives here.

I didn't decide anything.. why I said "yes" that because we had problems in past in Ukraine with translations. That's all. I couldn't be translator even I have a translation certificate.

Joe&Nadya, one of our moderators Kim&Russ was just trying to point out that just because the answer to this question was a yes for you, does not mean it has to be a yes for everyone else. We're talking about translations for two different stages of the process, and that the OP's fiancee is from a different country that you.

For the first stage of the process(sending the petition to USCIS for approval), the translation does not need an official certification, or notarization. If you, or anyone you know speaks the language in question....it is as simple as translating a document, and attaching a this statement: I (typed name) , certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and (name of foreign) languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled AND signing it.

For the second stage of the process (applying for the visa, and getting the approval) there are differences in the process from consulate to consulate. Some consulates have very specific ways in which they handle these visa applications and deviations from the process can cause problems.

So your unilateral statement in your initial post was incorrect because the way your situation played out is not necessarily the way the OP's situation will play out.

-P

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

you didn't understand.. I answered JPmirage's question "YES" but it's better to find a translator. That's all. You upside down all thread.

[Minya's wife 25]

you didn't understand.. I answered JPmirage's question "YES" but it's better to find a translator. That's all. You upside down all thread.

No, you upside down all thread. JPmirage's question was whether being fluent in both his languages did he still need to find someone else to translate his fiancee's divorce decree for the K-1 petition? Your answer was:

yes, it's better to find other translator because you are interested person in your case.

we have pointed out to you that such a question has a case specific answer, and is not unilateral as you presented it. You have to remember that this thread may be read by someone in the future who may have the same question, and will need the accurate info in this thread to know what to do.

Edited February 23, 2009 by Minya's wife

[JPmirage 0]

oh thanks for the advice. My fiancee is currently studying in a japanese university in Okinawa and I was told by a lawer dealing with visa, she can have her interview at Japan so long as her visa lasts till after the interview period. I think we should be ok though

Yes, it sounds like she COULD have her visa interview in Japan but that opens up a whole other can of worms, I can't address. You'll need to contact the appropriate Consulate for clarification of their expectations for translating official Chinese documents. I doubt they'll be different than those at GUZ but they could be. She'll still need a birth certificate, police report, single certificate, etc. and I think the best way to obtain those is still going to involve the Gong Zheng Chu in her Chinese residential jurisdiction.

Thanks for the advice. The forum helped out alot. I had my fiancee got her offically translated copy of her birth certificate when she last went back to China. She has her police report as well, but not translated. I'm not sure what do you mean by single certificate though?

From reading the guides, seems all she needs is her birth certificate, police report, and her divorce decree/certificate at the interview (along with other form she has to fill out later on of course.)

Edited February 23, 2009 by JPmirage

[pushbrk 13,137]

oh thanks for the advice. My fiancee is currently studying in a japanese university in Okinawa and I was told by a lawer dealing with visa, she can have her interview at Japan so long as her visa lasts till after the interview period. I think we should be ok though

Yes, it sounds like she COULD have her visa interview in Japan but that opens up a whole other can of worms, I can't address. You'll need to contact the appropriate Consulate for clarification of their expectations for translating official Chinese documents. I doubt they'll be different than those at GUZ but they could be. She'll still need a birth certificate, police report, single certificate, etc. and I think the best way to obtain those is still going to involve the Gong Zheng Chu in her Chinese residential jurisdiction.

Thanks for the advice. The forum helped out alot. I had my fiancee got her offically translated copy of her birth certificate when she last went back to China. She has her police report as well, but not translated. I'm not sure what do you mean by single certificate though?

From reading the guides, seems all she needs is her birth certificate, police report, and her divorce decree/certificate at the interview (along with other form she has to fill out later on of course.)

I gave you a link to the P3 instructions from Guangzhou. It describes the certificate of single status they require. This is country specific. Consulates don't require such certificates from countries where they are not available. When dealing with what a Consular officer is going to need, see the requirements of the specific Consulate. In your case, you'll want to compare the GUZ requirements with those in Japan and then ask for clarification on any differences to avoid potential surprises and delays.

Here is Tokyo's checklist. They don't require a single certificate but they might for a citizen of China interviewing in Tokyo, so ask them.

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-niv-kchecklist.html

Frankly, I would just have her obtain it when she gets the police report. Often in China another family member can be authorized to secure this kind of documentation in her behalf.

[YuAndDan 153]

The simplest and easiest thing that should have been done was to get the divorce cert translated at the notary office where your fiancee lives in China.

ALSO It is highly recommended that you join and study all you can on "A Candle for Love". http://candleforlove.com

The consulate has been very hard on K-Visas lately, so for the un-prepared it has been a lot of denied visas lately.

[natty bumppo 297]

I always found it best to have a professional (a person who does this for a living) translate the documents. The cost is not very high, you get all the required seals, and a dis-interested party translates. Any company that deals with import/export can point you to a company/person to translate.

Advantage to a pro ... it's done one time and finished.

Advantage to your "best bud" ... it's done once and you may... or may not ... need to see the pro at a later date.

ymmv ... your choice

Edited February 24, 2009 by Natty Bumppo

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi, first time posting here. This forum really has helped me alot in the K-1 Process. Right now, I'm about ready to submit my I195F package but I do have a question. I need to tranlate my fiancee's divorce certificate into english. I'm just wondering since I am proficent in both languages myself, do I still have to find someone else to do the translation?

You absolutely CAN translate your own documents. After doing so, add the certification

I, _____________________ certify this to be a true and accurate translation of the ____________________ document this ____day of _______, 2009

Sign it and have it notarized. The only thing you cannot do is notarize your own document. This is then a "certified translation". You will be submitting it with the a copy of the original (with the original in the case of the interview) so the correctness can be checked. My wife does Russian and Ukrainian translations and has never had any problems with official documents of any kind.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The OP's question was pertaining to the original filing of the petition in which USCIS clearly states their policy.

However, pushbrk is right in that when the time comes it's important that THIS OP understands that dealing with GUZ is going to be an uphill battle. There will be added requirements as well as added scrutiny at the interview stage for sure. It's best to prepare yourself as early as possible when dealing with a high fraud Embassy.

Joe & Nadya, because you decided to use a translator for your own petition does not mean that the answer to the OP's question is 'yes' like you stated. A translator does not need to be certified for uscis purposes. It's really that simple. Anyone else coming in here is going to look at these threads for answers to their own questions and it's imporant that accurate information is posted for that reason. We are dealing with people's lives here.

I didn't decide anything.. why I said "yes" that because we had problems in past in Ukraine with translations. That's all. I couldn't be translator even I have a translation certificate.

Joe&Nadya, one of our moderators Kim&Russ was just trying to point out that just because the answer to this question was a yes for you, does not mean it has to be a yes for everyone else. We're talking about translations for two different stages of the process, and that the OP's fiancee is from a different country that you.

For the first stage of the process(sending the petition to USCIS for approval), the translation does not need an official certification, or notarization. If you, or anyone you know speaks the language in question....it is as simple as translating a document, and attaching a this statement: I (typed name) , certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and (name of foreign) languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled AND signing it.

For the second stage of the process (applying for the visa, and getting the approval) there are differences in the process from consulate to consulate. Some consulates have very specific ways in which they handle these visa applications and deviations from the process can cause problems.

So your unilateral statement in your initial post was incorrect because the way your situation played out is not necessarily the way the OP's situation will play out.

-P

I will concede there may be consulayte specific regulations regarding translations. MY wife has done them for Ukraine and Russian consulates. Provided there is no consulate rule other wise, you can do your own, or have anyone fluent in both languages do them

[pushbrk 13,137]

Hi, first time posting here. This forum really has helped me alot in the K-1 Process. Right now, I'm about ready to submit my I195F package but I do have a question. I need to tranlate my fiancee's divorce certificate into english. I'm just wondering since I am proficent in both languages myself, do I still have to find someone else to do the translation?

You absolutely CAN translate your own documents. After doing so, add the certification

I, _____________________ certify this to be a true and accurate translation of the ____________________ document this ____day of _______, 2009

Sign it and have it notarized. The only thing you cannot do is notarize your own document. This is then a "certified translation". You will be submitting it with the a copy of the original (with the original in the case of the interview) so the correctness can be checked. My wife does Russian and Ukrainian translations and has never had any problems with official documents of any kind.

I know you've already conceded but the above won't work for Guangzhou and I have no idea whether it will work for Tokyo where the OP hope his fiancee will interview. You've quoted the USCIS requirement and many Consulates have their own for documents submitted directly to them. They range from the single option for Guangzhou to certain Consulates that will accept documents in either English or the local language. That's why it is so critical to approach all but marriage or divorce (etc.) document tranlations needed later, on a Consulate specific basis.