translated documents

[rebex05 1]

Okay so my fiance and I are starting the K-1 fiance visa process. When sending in proof of realtionship (and is this recommended?) such as letters or e-mails, do those have to be translated into Enlgish? Is that something that I myself can do or must a professional translator do it? Also for the biographical information form (G-325A) does my fiance have to fill it out himself and sign it or is it something I can do? If he must sign it, does a faxed form to me work or is snail mail best? Thanks for the help, as you may be able to tell I am new to all this.

[YuAndDan 153]

Email does not need to be translated, they just want to see that you are communicating with each other, they dont want to see the content of the messages. Things that need translating are birth certificates, divorce certificates, police certificates... official documents not personal corrspondence.

I sent a few sample emails, and the log from my email service showing just the headers of the 300+ emails exchanged between my finance and myself.

About the G-325A, your fiance can fill it out, signs it and mails it to you, a fax will not do, you need to send the original signed form to the USCIS, not a copy though make a copy to keep for your records. Also it is a 4 page form all 4 pages need to be filled and signed, and sent to the USCIS, the pages are slightly different, so filling out page 1 and making 3 copies of it is not acceptable either. If you fill it out on the computer, filling page 1 and printing will result in all pages being filled out for you.

I filled out my fiance's G-325A form before visiting her last summer, and all she had to do was sign and date them.

Edited November 30, 2006 by YuAndDan

[rebex05 1]

Thanks for the helpful information!

[aussiewench 9]

rebex05

Also make sure you submit your own G-325A as well.

Relationship evidence is not a requirement. This evidence will be required at the interview.

Tips for evidence that is submitted:

Use Q18 to describe in some detail of how you met in the required 2 year period that established the relationship. The evidence you then submit should support those details. Boarding passes, passport stamps, hotel/credit card receipts, rental receipts if ever lived together etc etc are primary evidence. Photos are secondary which support the primary evidence. What one should be aiming for is creating an image in the minds eye of the adjudicator......a complete picture. Look outside the box for evidence that shows you both in the same place at the same time. Each case is different and one should submit evidence accordingly, not just rely on the standard unofficial list.

Whilst evidence of an ongoing relationship is not a requirement at the initial filing stage, it can be beneficial to those from high fraud countries (eg the philipines) to do so, or if there is anything that could be a red flag that may cause issues at interview stage. This evidence should always be very carefully scrutinised especially emails & chat, to make sure there is nothing mentioned that may be construed in a different way then it is meant. Also make sure that any photo evidence submitted of any ceremony cannot be mistaken for a marriage ceremony which has in the past caused issues and denials.

[rebex05 1]

rebex05

Also make sure you submit your own G-325A as well.

Relationship evidence is not a requirement. This evidence will be required at the interview.

Tips for evidence that is submitted:

Use Q18 to describe in some detail of how you met in the required 2 year period that established the relationship. The evidence you then submit should support those details. Boarding passes, passport stamps, hotel/credit card receipts, rental receipts if ever lived together etc etc are primary evidence. Photos are secondary which support the primary evidence. What one should be aiming for is creating an image in the minds eye of the adjudicator......a complete picture. Look outside the box for evidence that shows you both in the same place at the same time. Each case is different and one should submit evidence accordingly, not just rely on the standard unofficial list.

Whilst evidence of an ongoing relationship is not a requirement at the initial filing stage, it can be beneficial to those from high fraud countries (eg the philipines) to do so, or if there is anything that could be a red flag that may cause issues at interview stage. This evidence should always be very carefully scrutinised especially emails & chat, to make sure there is nothing mentioned that may be construed in a different way then it is meant. Also make sure that any photo evidence submitted of any ceremony cannot be mistaken for a marriage ceremony which has in the past caused issues and denials.

You gave a lot of helpful information. I appreciate it. My question is that I ended up living in his house and have no receipts of that of course or really things that would prove us being together in the same place sort of a deal, besides photos and my plane ticket. Is there anything else you know that can serve as evidence (eg. written letter from mutual friend testifying we were there together)? Thanks once again.

[payxibka 10,045]

Okay so my fiance and I are starting the K-1 fiance visa process. When sending in proof of realtionship (and is this recommended?) such as letters or e-mails, do those have to be translated into Enlgish? Is that something that I myself can do or must a professional translator do it? Also for the biographical information form (G-325A) does my fiance have to fill it out himself and sign it or is it something I can do? If he must sign it, does a faxed form to me work or is snail mail best? Thanks for the help, as you may be able to tell I am new to all this.

I did not submit any e-mails with my petition because the question you are typically responding to and thus providing evidence of is that you have met in person within the last two years. In my opinion, e-mails as such do not provide this kind of evidence. YMMV

[bora bora 1]

DO TRANSLATE EMAILS.

Under the instructions here on the VJ site it states:

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

USCIS

My fiance does not speak English and so all of our correspondence was translated. I called USCIS and was told that documents do not need to be translated by a professional but that I cannot do it. It needs to be done by someone who cannot benefit from the relationship (you).

I think it is better to be safe than sorry. I was approved rather quickly (for CSC) with no RFEs and I translated everything.

I also left that note by the translator after every email (I sent 5) along with a card from me to my fiance and a letter written by a friend of ours (also translated).

Good luck.

[rebex05 1]

DO TRANSLATE EMAILS.

Under the instructions here on the VJ site it states:

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

USCIS

My fiance does not speak English and so all of our correspondence was translated. I called USCIS and was told that documents do not need to be translated by a professional but that I cannot do it. It needs to be done by someone who cannot benefit from the relationship (you).

I think it is better to be safe than sorry. I was approved rather quickly (for CSC) with no RFEs and I translated everything.

I also left that note by the translator after every email (I sent 5) along with a card from me to my fiance and a letter written by a friend of ours (also translated).

Good luck.

Thanks so much, this does help out a lot.

[rebex05 1]

So would a friend of mine who is fluent in Spanish and English be able to translate e-mails and letters or is it safer to have a professional do it?

[payxibka 10,045]

So would a friend of mine who is fluent in Spanish and English be able to translate e-mails and letters or is it safer to have a professional do it?

No reason they cannot... It is however your choice....

[Yodrak 7]

rebex,

To whom are you sending this proof of relationship?

The K1 visa process starts with an I-129f petition - have you read the I-129f instructions yet? The instructions tell you what kinds of supporting documentation is required and the instructions tell you very specifically about translation requirements.

Yodrak

Okay so my fiance and I are starting the K-1 fiance visa process. When sending in proof of realtionship (and is this recommended?) such as letters or e-mails, do those have to be translated into Enlgish? Is that something that I myself can do or must a professional translator do it? ......

[bora bora 1]

The translator is stating that they are fluent in both languages and capable of translating. They do not need to be a professional.

My friend who helped me is not a professional. We had no problems with our petition - no RFEs.

My friend signed and dated every page where she translated. I did the same for her and translated all of her e-mails and letters she wanted to use as proof. I did exactly what she did for me and her application was also approved in no time.

E-mails are used as proof of ongoing relationship - I believe it is helpful. I chose e-mails where we talk about marriage as well.

This is just my opinion but I think it supported our application well.

[rebex05 1]

rebex,

To whom are you sending this proof of relationship?

The K1 visa process starts with an I-129f petition - have you read the I-129f instructions yet? The instructions tell you what kinds of supporting documentation is required and the instructions tell you very specifically about translation requirements.

Yodrak

Okay so my fiance and I are starting the K-1 fiance visa process. When sending in proof of realtionship (and is this recommended?) such as letters or e-mails, do those have to be translated into Enlgish? Is that something that I myself can do or must a professional translator do it? ......

I know this is really secondary evidence and more for the interview stage of things. Just guess I am the type of person that likes to have an idea about future steps as well. I understand what is required for the I-129F petition, however I am sturggling because my primary evidence is not super strong. I have no stamps in my passport (Cuba doesn't stamp your passport), no receipts (stayed with my fiance and ate at local places), just my plane ticket stub. So I wanted to send in some secondary evidence that might support my case, though I have read primary is the most important for the petition. Thanks for your replies and hopefully that clarifies any confusion about what I wrote.

[bora bora 1]

You don't have any pictures?

You can also send proof of an ongoing relationship although this may be secondary...

[rebex05 1]

You don't have any pictures?

You can also send proof of an ongoing relationship although this may be secondary...

I do have pictures, though I heard that is secondar evidence. I was going to send between 4-8 of us together and some at his house with his family.