RFE for translations?

[louati13 5]

After waiting months, the USCIS finally got their stuff together and re-sent my RFE. Turns out they want my husband's divorce decree from his prior marriage and our marriage certificate translated by a certified translator.

I am just wondering how common this is? I speak both English and French fluently, I am a French teacher, I have a Master's Degree in French, yet they are telling me that I am not competent enough to translate the documents? They accepted all of the other documents with my translations.

Anyway, this is very frustrating considering USCIS says on their website that you can translate your own documents as long as you submit a letter stating that you certify they are accurate and that you are competent in both languages.... which is what I did.

Anyone else had this happen?

I have no other choice to spend the money for the exact same thing that I already did myself.

[didopage 337]

I guess it depends on the adjudicator, looks like the one who took care of your case may be picky. A lot of people translated and certified themselves their translation, and no problem. (I did for my French birth certificate).

[louati13 5]

Yes, very "picky" indeed. I think the most frustrating part about this process is that NOTHING is streamlined... you may get one adjudicator who is OK with all of the documents translated yourself, and then another one that wants a "certified" translation. I wish that USCIS would make things more clear : ie, put on their website which documents need to be done by a certified translator and which documents are OK to translate yourself. Such a hassle!

[jessicaruizw 9]

Turns out they want my husband's divorce decree from his prior marriage and our marriage certificate translated by a certified translator.

I am just wondering how common this is? I speak both English and French fluently, I am a French teacher, I have a Master's Degree in French, yet they are telling me that I am not competent enough to translate the documents? They accepted all of the other documents with my translations.

perhaps for this document you forgot the translation certification which must accompany it? bc i find that to be absolutely absurd!

[louati13 5]

perhaps for this document you forgot the translation certification which must accompany it? bc i find that to be absolutely absurd!

No, I definitely sent in the certificate page on each document stating I am competent in both languages and I certify they are accurate. I went ahead and paid the $250 to get the documents translated and there was really no difference except for a few words... for example I translated a word as "Town Hall" and the translator put "Communal Hall" which is basically the same thing. Anyway, I am now considering becoming a free-lance translator, LOL! Sent in the documents yesterday, so I am hoping for a fast approval now!