To translate or not to translate?

[Pinball1921 4]

On the Dept of State site it states clearly that civil documents do NOT need to be translated if they are in the official language of the country of the applicant. So why do I see some people still getting RFEs for this? By the way, my wife is applying from panama and her certificates are in Spanish. Anyone have knowledge of this? Thanks.

[lost_at_sea 995]

On the Dept of State site it states clearly that civil documents do NOT need to be translated if they are in the official language of the country of the applicant. So why do I see some people still getting RFEs for this? By the way, my wife is applying from panama and her certificates are in Spanish. Anyone have knowledge of this? Thanks.

Every guide I've read states that when not in English, official documentation should always have a translation.

Elsewhere, on the dept of state site, it does ask for translations in reference to NVC: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

If NVC requires translations, and NVC is receiving the paperwork from the service centres, then it would follow that the service centres will expect the translations.

Which page says they do not need to be translated? I can't find it.

[Pinball1921 4]

"All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC."

And the website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

[jrh39 2]

I did not translate mines, and,they were in Spanish, and im dominican, and they accepted Them with no problems.

On the Dept of State site it states clearly that civil documents do NOT need to be translated if they are in the official language of the country of the applicant. So why do I see some people still getting RFEs for this? By the way, my wife is applying from panama and her certificates are in Spanish. Anyone have knowledge of this? Thanks.

[Pinball1921 4]

I just realized we used the same link lol. Where do you see that it requires translation?

Thank you jrh39, that's good to hear.

[stevie b 141]

On the Dept of State site it states clearly that civil documents do NOT need to be translated if they are in the official language of the country of the applicant. So why do I see some people still getting RFEs for this? By the way, my wife is applying from panama and her certificates are in Spanish. Anyone have knowledge of this? Thanks.

first of all, if you choose to get things translated, certified translation is NOT necessary

second of all

why risk an rfe??

"All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC."

And the website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

I know you are quoting something here, but translations do not have to be certified.. this has been covered in dozens of threads

[Pinball1921 4]

So you're saying both statements in the quote are wrong? The first being that translations are not required, and the second being that the translations don't need to be certified? Why would the NVC put that statement in there if everything in it was completely wrong?

[stevie b 141]

So you're saying both statements in the quote are wrong? The first being that translations are not required, and the second being that the translations don't need to be certified? Why would the NVC put that statement in there if everything in it was completely wrong?

translations are required

certified translations are not

or maybe better said, translations are highly recommended to avoid a future rfe, they do not have to be certified

Edited June 8, 2013 by stevie b

[TLlanos 4]

Avoid any delays on your case and just send the translation with the documents. Better safe than sorry.

P.S: I sent the translations with mine, got a case complete in 11 days.

[samy + janet aly 9]

When transaltions are made, they are certified anyway from the translator but you should always submit translations along with original documents. i did on everything we did and makes it easier too.