Translations Necessary for Ukrainian Documents for I-129F Petition?

[Richard and Inna 3]

OK, my petition for Ukrainian fiance is being processed at the Vermont Service Center. We sent copies of her birth certificate, marriage and divorce documents, police clearance, etc. that are in Russian language. We did not have these translated as our understanding was that it was not necessary for use in the US Embassy in Kiev. Any thoughts on this in regards to the VSC? I would appreciate your experience with this. Thanks !

[MERIC061609 15]

the instructions for the K-1 applications stated that all documents written in a foreing language need to be tranlated to English. Documents such as birth certificate, and divorce documents NEED to be translated. However, you might get lucky and not get a RFE requiring the documents to be trasnlated to English...

[baron555 934]

the instructions for the K-1 applications stated that all documents written in a foreing language need to be tranlated to English. Documents such as birth certificate, and divorce documents NEED to be translated. However, you might get lucky and not get a RFE requiring the documents to be trasnlated to English...

Why didn't you follow the instructions?

Most likely you'll pull an RFE, I'd get them translated now so you'll be ready.

See Gary and Alla over on the RUB regional forum for a good deal on translations.

[payxibka 10,045]

OK, my petition for Ukrainian fiance is being processed at the Vermont Service Center. We sent copies of her birth certificate, marriage and divorce documents, police clearance, etc. that are in Russian language. We did not have these translated as our understanding was that it was not necessary for use in the US Embassy in Kiev. Any thoughts on this in regards to the VSC? I would appreciate your experience with this. Thanks !

VSC is not Kiev, far from it and you made a huge mistake

[Enigma11561 336]

People at the VSC do not speak or read Russian. Nuff said. You may get an RFE. No problem, just get your translations in order now.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

OK, my petition for Ukrainian fiance is being processed at the Vermont Service Center. We sent copies of her birth certificate, marriage and divorce documents, police clearance, etc. that are in Russian language. We did not have these translated as our understanding was that it was not necessary for use in the US Embassy in Kiev. Any thoughts on this in regards to the VSC? I would appreciate your experience with this. Thanks !

Read the instructions before you go any further.

You did not need any of those escept her divorce certificate for the petition. So the ones that are not needed will not be an issue. The divorce certificate WILL be an issue and you will likely get an RFE.

You have ONE possibility if not getting an RFE that I know of. Two of Alla's friends work at VSC, both are Russian women, now US citizens, both were K-1s. SOMETIMES other adjudicators bring them documents in Russian and ask them to check them and see what they are, and SOMETIMES they get your petition themselves, not likely though. AND if they get permission of their supervisor they can waive the requirement of the translation BUT there is no way you can know if this will happen and I cannot ask them to look for yours. Cross your fingers.

At any rate, get translations. You will NOT need them for the interview in Kiev but you WILL need them for the AOS, RoC and citizenship later on, may as well get it done.

The police certificate is valid for ONE YEAR at the consulate. If it is more than oen year old when you have your interview you will need a new one. Hold off on that, it talkes 3 weeks to get one in Ukraine, faster if you bribe the clerk a few dollars.

Your understanding that it is not necessary for the consulate in Kiev is CORRECT, but you did not send it to Kiev, you sent the petition to USCIS and they DO require translations. They do NOT require her birth, marriage or police certificate, ONLY her divorce certificate.

The Kiev consulate comes later, at her interview, and there you will NOT need translations but you WILL need all those documents. Later you will have to present all those same documents to USCIS three more times in the next 4-5 years. Adjustment of Status, Removal of Conditions and Citizenship. Get the translated and get plenty of copies. KEEP the originals in your possession at all times.

Come join us in the RUB forum! We discuss the care and feeding of Ukrainian women.

People at the VSC do not speak or read Russian. Nuff said. You may get an RFE. No problem, just get your translations in order now.

At least two of them I know do.

But yes, translations are required.

Edited January 10, 2012 by Gary and Alla