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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Sweden
Timeline
Posted

Me and my husband are having a dispute. I think it would be weird of me to translate my divorce decree myself, while my husband doesnt see anything wrong with it since I am the person we know that is the most fluent in both languages.

Has anyone translated their own documents for USCIS? Or have a valid opinion please let me know since it's a rather big argument here right now and I want to get the papers sent in ASAP :)

Posted

Me and my husband are having a dispute. I think it would be weird of me to translate my divorce decree myself, while my husband doesnt see anything wrong with it since I am the person we know that is the most fluent in both languages.

Has anyone translated their own documents for USCIS? Or have a valid opinion please let me know since it's a rather big argument here right now and I want to get the papers sent in ASAP :)

Done it for my case. DOne it for other family members. DO it all the time for volunteer work I do.

A lot of people do.

You can always pay a translator, but depending on language, size, how fast and subject matter, it will at least 50/page and up.

Lycka till!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Sweden
Timeline
Posted

Thanks, I was searching topics now and saw that its been done before. It doesn't include alot of text and I've been able to get it properly, or atleast what I consider properly, translated myself allready was just not sure. Thank you again for the answer.

Posted

Thanks, I was searching topics now and saw that its been done before. It doesn't include alot of text and I've been able to get it properly, or atleast what I consider properly, translated myself allready was just not sure. Thank you again for the answer.

No prob.

Esentially it all comes down to add a paragraph that spells that you are fluent in both languages and stating this is a translation of original. You can find examples here; I saw one just in the past 2 weeks in this forum.

Second: there is always the question of format: the translated document needs to resemble the original or not? Both cases do work. Done both. Since I have templates (that I've made for some of the cases I do), I usually do it in a format that looks like original; but at times, when I don't have time to play with formatting, I just do it as "normal" text; just following same sequence and general cosmetics (if something is boldface, I would boldface; but I don't eve try to match font type or size.

So far, never had a problem. Occasionally I'd recommend people to get a professional translator when the wording is very legalese and neither I nor someone I would know can tell the correct English.

And I also tell people that they are more than welcome to show my translation to others and to compare to what others would do. I only do this for languages I'm fluent on of course.

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline
Posted

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion; submission of self-translations of required documents to USCIS is not exclusive to the spousal visa process.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

Filed: Other Country: Ireland
Timeline
Posted

My husband's divorce decree was in Danish and he did the translation for that. NO RFE's so far and expecting notice for interview any time now.

Our Journey

6/6/2007 Met online

12/05/2007 Realized I was nuts about him!

01/19/2008 Confessed...and he felt the same <3

05/01/2008 Met in person in Chicago

5/2008-5/2010 Umpteen visits between Ireland and US

6/19/2010 Got married!

04/06/2012 Finally able to send paperwork for AOS!

(Day 1)04/11/2012 Papers arrived at Chicago lockbox and signed for.

(Day 3)04/13/2012 Email confirmations!

(Day 7)04/17/2012 NOA hard copies received.

(Day 10)04/20/2012 Biometrics appt received for 05/07/2012

(Day 27)05/07/2012 Biometrics

(Day 65)06/15/2012 EAD approval email

(Day 69)06/19/2012 Interview notice!!! 07/24/2012!!

(Day 75)06/25/2012 EAD arrives.

(Day 104)07/24/2012 Interview in Atlanta....Approved!!!

Expecting a baby boy 8/9/2013!

  • 1 year later...
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Japan
Timeline
Posted

Although many people get away with translating the documents themselves, it does increase the chances of receiving a REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE (RFE) and delaying the whole process.

You can use a translation service, but can be expensive or have a friend do it.

I have seen it online and I was told by one USCIS employee that the only people NOT allowed to do the translation are:

The Petitioner, the Beneficiary, and close relatives.

But I have not been able to find any official document supporting that claim.

I my case, my wife is Japanese and one of the documents required to be translated and submitted is the family registry.

I missed a typo of a couple dates on the translation (done and certified by a professional service), it is my fault because they did ask me to check for errors and I guess I didn’t look close enough and assumed it was OK.

USCIS sent us a letter requesting a new translation.

I am thinking of just sending a corrected translation done by myself, but I worry that they may request more RFEs.

The correct way to do it is to send back to Japan for a new Family Register(in Japanese) because I don’t currently have a copy here in the States plus once issued it is only valid for 30 days. Then get it translated and send the new original and translation in together.

I know it is more than what they are asking for, but it would be playing it safer that way.

Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
Timeline
Posted

Me and my husband are having a dispute. I think it would be weird of me to translate my divorce decree myself, while my husband doesnt see anything wrong with it since I am the person we know that is the most fluent in both languages.

Has anyone translated their own documents for USCIS? Or have a valid opinion please let me know since it's a rather big argument here right now and I want to get the papers sent in ASAP smile.gif

Your husband is right. You are wrong. (I often like my wife telling me that she was wrong and I was right. LOL.)

USCIS even tells you how to translate your own documents.

I have translated everything for my family and never had a problem. They all have their green cards.

The translator does not require any training or certification. The translator only includes the statement below. I have no training, just a regular person doing the translation.

Here it is from USCIS; http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=ff053d146a7ee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

  • Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

    The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

    Certification by Translator

    I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

    Signature_________________________________

    Date Typed Name

    Address

Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
Timeline
Posted

Although many people get away with translating the documents themselves, it does increase the chances of receiving a REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE (RFE) and delaying the whole process.

You can use a translation service, but can be expensive or have a friend do it.

I have seen it online and I was told by one USCIS employee that the only people NOT allowed to do the translation are:

The Petitioner, the Beneficiary, and close relatives.

But I have not been able to find any official document supporting that claim.

I my case, my wife is Japanese and one of the documents required to be translated and submitted is the family registry.

I missed a typo of a couple dates on the translation (done and certified by a professional service), it is my fault because they did ask me to check for errors and I guess I didn’t look close enough and assumed it was OK.

USCIS sent us a letter requesting a new translation.

I am thinking of just sending a corrected translation done by myself, but I worry that they may request more RFEs.

The correct way to do it is to send back to Japan for a new Family Register(in Japanese) because I don’t currently have a copy here in the States plus once issued it is only valid for 30 days. Then get it translated and send the new original and translation in together.

I know it is more than what they are asking for, but it would be playing it safer that way.

I completely disagree.

I have translated over 50 documents for family and friends and never had a RFE for a translation.

The reason for your RFE is because you got the dates wrong.

There is absolutely no prohibition against the petitioner, beneficiary, or close relatives doing the translation. I did it for my brother and his family. Many people who are the petitioners or the beneficiaries have done their own translations.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

No problems for us.

"Certification by the Translator

I, Gloria C. XXXXXXX, certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and Spanish languages, and that the above/attached document is accurate.

Date: August 31st, 20XX

Address: ___________________________"

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Colombia
Timeline
Posted

Could add in the USA, there is no formal certification for either translators or interpreters. The DOS that hires a bunch of these doesn't have any certification requirements either. There are a couple of private firms that offer certification, like MITA, but highly debatable, was others that no longer exist.

And what certifications they do offer are only limited to a handful of countries. Not even sure why we had to translate these documents when the USCIS does have a Spanish speaking line.

Another issue on this same subject is trying to find someplace that makes certified copies, in particular of foreign documents that are almost next to impossible to replace. Our register of deeds use to do this, but don't anymore, claims they were overworked and underpaid. But when I walk in there a half a dozen people sitting behind desks watching the clock tick.

So these documents are treated like gold, keep them in a fire proof safe, and when removed, a clean area, no kids around, and certainly no soft drinks or coffee cups.

Anyone find any place that makes certified copies in the USA? I couldn't find any. Speaking of divorce papers, like that one copy we have for my wife. Would have to fly down there, hire a worthless notary for at least 500 US bucks, then only he can get them with another huge fee. She needed a new country ID because of her place of birth on her US passport, that took over a week of chasing around and 1,500 bucks. And they sure love US bucks.

  • 2 months later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted

Just to clarify, the NVC and the Consulates also accept translations that are done by anyone who is fluent in both languages and do not require a notary?

NOA1 received: July 30, 2013

Transferred: Jan 22, 2014 (time from NOA1 to Transfer: 5 months 3 weeks 2 days)

Touched: Jan 24, 2014 at 6:35 PM

Alien reg. # changed: Jan 27, 2014 at 10:50 PM

Filed for expedite: Feb 5, 2014

s-event.png




Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Cuba
Timeline
Posted

Save your money! Do it yourself. If you are are fluent go for it.

Petitioner/USC Married: 11/26/2012
USCIS (144 Days)
01-12-2013 : I-130 sent (CR1) - Phoenix AZ Lockbox
01-14-2013 : NOA1 - Processing @ NBC (MSC)
06-07-2013: NOA2 - Checked status via the USCIS website

NVC
06/20/13: NVC Received

06/26/13: Case/IIN Assigned
07/05/13: AOS Package Sent
07/18/19: IV Package sent
08/01/13: AOS Checklist - Grrr! (16 Business Days)
08/09/13: IV Package accepted (15 Business Days)
08/29/13: AOS Package accepted (17 Business Days)
08/29/13: Case complete

09/09/13: Interview Assigned

09/18/13: Medical Exam

10/07/13: Interview/Approved

10/14/13: Picked up Visa at US Interest Section - Havana

11/26/13: POE Tampa

ELIS/Green Card Production/SSN

12/03/13: ELIS Paid Status

12/07/13: SSN Arrived in Mail

12/19/13: ELIS Optimized/In Process Status

12/30/13: Production of New Card Began

1/3/14: Card Produced Status

1/6/14: GC Received via Mail

Petition To Remove Conditions on Permanent Residency - Jointly Filed

08/29/15: I-751 Form w/ Documentation - Laguna Nigel, CA PO BOX

09/02/15: NOA1

3/29/16: Approved - New Card is Being Produced.

 
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