Translations of Documents

[kylejb 0]

I had a queston about translations of the documents.

I know the website says that all documents must be translated into English. Not a problem as my fiancee is FLUENT in English. But it doesn't say if she can do so. So I wonder if this is a problem or does she have to have someone else do it? I know they do not have to be notorized as the original documents are in Russian.

She does not know of anyone that can translate. And if she can do it, that would save money.

Thanks for any help.

[payxibka 10,045]

What stage of the process and who are you submitting evidence to... the answer may be the same but it may be different.

if submitting to the USCIS the standard is that the translator MUSt be competent in both languages and signs a certification statement as such... If you or you fiancee meet the standard then for USCIS purposes she can

[Rob_Lesya 4]

I had a queston about translations of the documents.

I know the website says that all documents must be translated into English. Not a problem as my fiancee is FLUENT in English. But it doesn't say if she can do so. So I wonder if this is a problem or does she have to have someone else do it? I know they do not have to be notorized as the original documents are in Russian.

She does not know of anyone that can translate. And if she can do it, that would save money.

Thanks for any help.

She can do it herself.

In our case, Lesya actually works as a translator. She did the actual work herself and then simply had a colleague read over it and sign the certifications.

[mox 298]

Keep in mind that if your fiancee translates her own documents for the K1 visa, she will be required to speak English at her interview. She won't be given the option of having the interview in Russian. So if she's uncomfortable speaking English and would rather conduct the interview in Russian, get her to have someone else translate the documents.

Edited to add: the interviewer will be looking at the name and signature on the certification. Take from that what you will.

Edited September 28, 2009 by mox

[kylejb 0]

I am talking about the translation of documents for the interview purposes. The Embassy website just says they must be translated. It doesn't say there is anything that needs to be signed. My fiancee is VERY comfortable in speaking English. She is fluent in our language. So that is why I was wondering if she did the translation, would it be a problem. Can she just use a plain piece of paper and translate them line by line and then just sign at the bottom of the page?

[clueless_in_usa 8]

Keep in mind that if your fiancee translates her own documents for the K1 visa, she will be required to speak English at her interview. She won't be given the option of having the interview in Russian. So if she's uncomfortable speaking English and would rather conduct the interview in Russian, get her to have someone else translate the documents.

Edited to add: the interviewer will be looking at the name and signature on the certification. Take from that what you will.

There was NO certification on the translations that my fiancee took to her interview. They were straight translations from the computer with nobody's signature. She was not told anything about it.

Hope it helps!

[Rob_Lesya 4]

I am talking about the translation of documents for the interview purposes. The Embassy website just says they must be translated. It doesn't say there is anything that needs to be signed. My fiancee is VERY comfortable in speaking English. She is fluent in our language. So that is why I was wondering if she did the translation, would it be a problem. Can she just use a plain piece of paper and translate them line by line and then just sign at the bottom of the page?

Shouldn't be a problem. Again, this is one of those topics that many people obssess FAR too much about.

[mox 298]

There was NO certification on the translations that my fiancee took to her interview. They were straight translations from the computer with nobody's signature. She was not told anything about it.

Hope it helps!

Hmmm...I think she got lucky then. The requirement is that the translation be "certified." Certified just means that the translator accompany the translation with wording like "I certify I'm fluent in both English and Russian, and that this is a true translation." Signed and dated, no stamps or notarization necessary.

[kylejb 0]

The website only says:

Copies and translations of each document into English are required. Translations must be notarized only when the original is in a language OTHER than Russian. (e.g. a translation from Ukrainian into English must be notarized, translation from Russian into English does not need to be notarized).

It does not even say anything about certification.Not saying that you are wrong, but just stating what it says.

[Rob_Lesya 4]

There was NO certification on the translations that my fiancee took to her interview. They were straight translations from the computer with nobody's signature. She was not told anything about it.

Hope it helps!

Hmmm...I think she got lucky then. The requirement is that the translation be "certified." Certified just means that the translator accompany the translation with wording like "I certify I'm fluent in both English and Russian, and that this is a true translation." Signed and dated, no stamps or notarization necessary.

This is one of those "gray" areas. It certainly must be certified if it is submitted to USCIS as part of an application or petition. The Embassy website doesn't say anything about needing to be certified.... only that it needs to be notarized if the original language is something other than Russian. Certianly wouldn't hurt to go ahead and do the certification, but not sure it's really "required."

[mox 298]

There was NO certification on the translations that my fiancee took to her interview. They were straight translations from the computer with nobody's signature. She was not told anything about it.

Hope it helps!

Hmmm...I think she got lucky then. The requirement is that the translation be "certified." Certified just means that the translator accompany the translation with wording like "I certify I'm fluent in both English and Russian, and that this is a true translation." Signed and dated, no stamps or notarization necessary.

This is one of those "gray" areas. It certainly must be certified if it is submitted to USCIS as part of an application or petition. The Embassy website doesn't say anything about needing to be certified.... only that it needs to be notarized if the original language is something other than Russian. Certianly wouldn't hurt to go ahead and do the certification, but not sure it's really "required."

Ah, good point. I'd be more inclined to err on the side of caution, but it does appear that USCIS requirements differ from the consulate's requirements.

[BluesTraveler 0]

Pretty sure they have a few people at the consulate who can read and speak Russian.

[mox 298]

Pretty sure they have a few people at the consulate who can read and speak Russian.

Undoubtedly. But the rulez is teh rulez.

[IrinaNMike 0]

Irina used a professional translator for USCIS and the Embassy interview, but she knows of other people who translated their own documents and experienced no problems. Professional translators in Russia have a seal that they affix to the translation stating that they are certified by the Russian government to translate documents, but that is for the Russian court system and is not what USCIS or the Embassy is looking for. In other words, the requirement is that the translator certify that he or she is competent, not for some special agency to certify that the translator is competent.

[BluesTraveler 0]

Pretty sure they have a few people at the consulate who can read and speak Russian.

Undoubtedly. But the rulez is teh rulez.

What I meant is if you do a poor job translating one of the people in the office will know.