Translation

[Cassandra PC 1]

I'm going to send in some documents in Spanish for my I-129F. USCIS says they have to be translated and then "certified" by the translator. Being fluent in Spanish, can I just translate them myself? They're pretty basic (a visa, an id card, etc.) and they're going to California after all - but I don't want any problems. Any experiences out there?

[Karen_L 1]

I'm going to send in some documents in Spanish for my I-129F. USCIS says they have to be translated and then "certified" by the translator. Being fluent in Spanish, can I just translate them myself? They're pretty basic (a visa, an id card, etc.) and they're going to California after all - but I don't want any problems. Any experiences out there?

I take "certified" to mean a notary public that can translate the documents and then notarize the translation and assure its accuracy. Even if you could possibly translate it better yourself, I think the gov't wants the translation to be notarized by someone who can assure that it's accurate.

In my petition, I had a notary public fluent in Albanian translate my fiance's letter of intent (back before I found VJ and realized it didn't need to be an actual letter with several paragraphs) but I translated this receipt that was in Italian and among our evidence of having met by myself because it was very brief and straightforward and not an official document. I didn't get an RFE or anything for it.

For ID cards, Visa, etc. I would personally seek out a notary public fluent in Spanish and get her to translate it since they're official docs. Plus, I'm sure you can find like 6,000 notaries that speak Spanish so it won't be too much of a hassle to do.

Good luck with your petition!

[kitkat1 5]

What exactly do you need to translate? I don't remember needing translatations for anything that I provided.

[Arazia 0]

I was wondering about this myself. My fiancee' has a flight itinerary that is completely in Dutch, and he could translate it himself but I wasn't sure if that would be acceptable. I checked the government websites and they just say you have to have someone sign that they are conversant (fluent) in english and that the translation is correct as to their knowledge, but it doesn't say anything about having to have it notorized. Does anyone else know any specifics on this?

Unlike a translation from Spanish, I'm fairly sure there are -not- many notaries that speak/understand Dutch.

Edited August 18, 2006 by Arazia

[StupidJourney 0]

What exactly do you need to translate? I don't remember needing translatations for anything that I provided.

I had a document that I translated from Arabic (one from the moroccan govt. stating that fiance was single and free to marry). I went to a translation company who translated it and was certified by their notary public (who was not the same person as the translator). any translation company should have a notary public, as translators often have to work with people doing immigration things.

It wasn't cheap though! It cost me $85, and most places I called charged over 100. I DID get it the next day though!

[Cassandra PC 1]

Because we live together, I don't have any "correspondence" proof of our relationship so I'm planning to send in my visa and work ID card to show I live in Mexico. I was also thinking about sending in our rent contract. I've heard we can write a joint letter of intent (in english).

Notary public, yikes!

[StupidJourney 0]

Because we live together, I don't have any "correspondence" proof of our relationship so I'm planning to send in my visa and work ID card to show I live in Mexico. I was also thinking about sending in our rent contract. I've heard we can write a joint letter of intent (in english).

Notary public, yikes!

We wrote a joint letter of intent, as well as individual ones. Rent contract seems good. Also, send pictures (remember to write names of people in it as well as dates, on the back).

[aussiewench 9]

Translations can be done by anyone that is conversant in both the english and foreign language and certify such. Translations do not need to be translated by a certified translated.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=translations

[Danny&Adri 1]

Translations do not need to be translated by a certified translated.

This was my understanding and I suggested my fiancee do it herself. She suggested that getting an independent translator might add benefit by showing the CIS that it was (1) done by an unbias party and (2) give it the "certified" stamp of approval.

I was very glad she suggested that because ours went through fast with no questions... which was obviously what we wanted.

Edited August 18, 2006 by Danny&Adri

[Officer's Fiance 0]

Sheesh, I wish I had known this.... I had my German police certificate translated by a "certified" translator from the Embassy. It only cost me $25... but in the end, $25 is $25 I could still have in my pocket.

[Mew 0]

11.3 Foreign Language Documents and Translations.

(a) Document Translations. All documents submitted in support of an application or petition must include complete translation into English. In addition, there must be a certification from the translator indicating that the translation is complete and accurate and attesting to his or her competence as a translator. See 8 CFR 103.2(B)(3).

- bolded by me.

Source:

http://www.uscis.gov/lpbin/lpext.dll/inser...ument-frame.htm

Edited August 18, 2006 by Mew

[aussiewench 9]

Sheesh, I wish I had known this.... I had my German police certificate translated by a "certified" translator from the Embassy. It only cost me $25... but in the end, $25 is $25 I could still have in my pocket.

What is required by DOS for interviews is totally different then what is required and accepted by USCIS for the filing of a petition.