Does Evidence Need to be Translated?

[Cixelsyd 1]

I hope this topic hasn't been beaten like a Canadian step child, but I couldn't find an exact answer.

(I should start being nicer to the Canadians or I'll find a hockey team at my door to "talk" to me)

Basically what the topic says. Do you need to translate things like...

Train Ticket Receipts

Hotel Receipts

Hotel and or Private Registration receipts (I copied mine before turning it back in)

Or can you just put a note on it to explain what it is?

[mox 298]

No, the only thing you need to translate is what's listed here. They won't expect your evidence to be translated. And by the way, since you're WAY early in the process, the only time you're going to need stuff translated is for the interview. Don't worry about having anything translated for your initial I-129F filing.

[Cixelsyd 1]

Yeah, I know I'm soooo early for this sort of stuff.

I have nothing better to do but obsess about these things and take all of you along for the ride with me

That and I'm already assembling packets, making copies and what not for the future. More work now, less headache later.

[mox 298]

Being prepared is good. It's hard not to obsess, I know. I did the same thing. And don't worry about us, keep asking questions and we'll be sure to give you the straight dope. Just make sure you don't drive yourself nuts with all the details. As Slim likes to point out, the KISS principal (Keep It Simple, Stupid) applies to your filing. USCIS don't want to get a huge leather bound book from you, filled with every single tiny little detail of your time together with your beloved. They want to see forms filled out correctly, they want to see enough evidence to see that you've met in the last 2 years, (they are NOT concerned with evidence of a relationship at this point, that comes at the interview), and they would really like it if you made it easy for them to sift through, but they don't want to have to sift through dividers and ####### like that. Just read the directions, follow them, use common sense, and you'll be fine. Take a look at the guides too, they'll help a lot.

[slim 1,525]

Yeah, what he said!

Also, keep in mind when you do the "evidence" for her interview in Russia, they can read Russian over there so there's no need to translate stuff for a Russian person to read.

[Dave-n-Oksana 49]

No, the only thing you need to translate is what's listed here. They won't expect your evidence to be translated. And by the way, since you're WAY early in the process, the only time you're going to need stuff translated is for the interview. Don't worry about having anything translated for your initial I-129F filing.

Mox, wouldn't divorce decrees need to be translated for the I-129f as well as "change of name" documentation?

[mox 298]

Mox, wouldn't divorce decrees need to be translated for the I-129f as well as "change of name" documentation?

I went back and read the I-129F instructions again, and yes, you are correct. I was mistaken in my initial reply, my apologies to the OP. Here is the relevant instruction from the I-129F instructions:

Any document containing foreign language submitted to the Service shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

Having said that, I would really only worry about translating things like divorce decrees. There's no reason to translate train tickets or hotel receipts. It's pretty obvious what they are. I didn't translate any of that kind of stuff, and I had a lot. We were approved with no problem.

[slim 1,525]

Basic rule = if you're sending stuff to Nebraska or somewhere else in the States, get it translated. If you're sending stuff to your sweety to hand-carry to her interview in Moscow, Kiev, etc., don't worry about it. (As mox said, no need to translate train tickets or the like because it's obvious what they are.)

[Brad and Vika 129]

Yeah, what he said!

Also, keep in mind when you do the "evidence" for her interview in Russia, they can read Russian over there so there's no need to translate stuff for a Russian person to read.

I wondered about these posts, having just gone through K-1 and AOS, and having all required evidence translated. Looks like mox addressed it, but if it is required for the visa, and it is in a language other than English, it should be translated.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Brad and Vika

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I hope this topic hasn't been beaten like a Canadian step child, but I couldn't find an exact answer.

(I should start being nicer to the Canadians or I'll find a hockey team at my door to "talk" to me)

Basically what the topic says. Do you need to translate things like...

Train Ticket Receipts

Hotel Receipts

Hotel and or Private Registration receipts (I copied mine before turning it back in)

Or can you just put a note on it to explain what it is?

In addition to tons of other stuff, I also submitted receipts, train tickets, shopping receipts, etc. I did not translate them. I copied them, a few on each page, and wrote a note on the sheet waht it was. As it turned out, they never looked at it anyway. REQUIRED documents must be translated but receipts of this type are just more grist for the mill. If your other evidence is up to snuff, you won't need the receipts anyway.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No, the only thing you need to translate is what's listed here. They won't expect your evidence to be translated. And by the way, since you're WAY early in the process, the only time you're going to need stuff translated is for the interview. Don't worry about having anything translated for your initial I-129F filing.

Mox, wouldn't divorce decrees need to be translated for the I-129f as well as "change of name" documentation?

Yes, they are required documents and must be translated. Receipts and train tickets are not required and do not need to be translated.

[Kotenochek 0]

I know you already were told No,but i confirm it!Because i know how anxious you get about anything little during this process...

[Cixelsyd 1]

I know you already were told No,but i confirm it!Because i know how anxious you get about anything little during this process...

Awesome, thanks man.

Even worse for me because I know we are going to file, but we just haven't done it yet. So I have extra time to obsess.