Frankfurt Translations?

[Stressed Out 81]

I've helped my husband file for a tourist visa through Frankfurt before and they said any documentation in German or English is acceptable without translations. However, with the I-130 petition they confuse me as to whether they need documents translated or not. Has anyone else filed through Frankfurt and not had to translate stuff? I'd rather not have to, knowing that they can speak German there.

[HK12 273]

On the consulate stage, you can send all documents in either English or German, with the exceptions that are mentioned on the checklist (if I remember correctly, court and prison records have to be translated). I sent all of my documents in German (birth certificate, police certificate, etc.) and did not have any problems.

[Stressed Out 81]

I just realized I don't even need to include my husband's birth certificate in the I-130 packet, only his passport photo page, which already has translations. I'm deciding to not even include supporting evidence of a bona fide marriage since they can clearly see that we live together based off of the contact info on the forms. So, hallelujah! Don't need to translate anything for the I-130 packet. And thanks for clarifying that the next packet can be sent in German.

[Stressed Out 81]

Oh, and what about the German residence permit? Does that have to be translated in the I-130 packet? Seems to me they see that every single day.

[Stressed Out 81]

Sorryyyy, and does anyone know if I have to include a return envelope with the I-130? It didn't say anything about it on the Frankfurt website.

[Verenaaa 3]

Regarding the residence permit: you can simply get an international residence permit at the Rathaus he is registered at. It cost 6 and is both in English and I'm German.

[Stressed Out 81]

Somebody said that they sent their Aufenthaltstitel in German and all was fine. That's what I'm going to try since our Rathaus has nothing to do with the Aufenthaltstitel anymore and we'd have to drive an hour to the Ausländeramt. We used to be a part of Kreis Krefeld which is only 20 minutes away, but our community had to switch to Kleve's jurisdiction. Wish us luck, though!

[Stressed Out 81]

Last thing I'll post in this thread, haha. I felt bad not translating something so simple, so I quickly typed it up all pretty and perfect in Microsoft Word, including the "Certification by Translator" statement at the bottom. The less RFE's we all get, the quicker it goes for everyone, so I did my part.

[StrawberryKiss 170]

Somebody said that they sent their Aufenthaltstitel in German and all was fine. That's what I'm going to try since our Rathaus has nothing to do with the Aufenthaltstitel anymore and we'd have to drive an hour to the Ausländeramt. We used to be a part of Kreis Krefeld which is only 20 minutes away, but our community had to switch to Kleve's jurisdiction. Wish us luck, though!

Is it necessary to include the residence permit of the German beneficiary in this package? Because we didn't

[awaywego 28]

Is it necessary to include the residence permit of the German beneficiary in this package? Because we didn't

The residence permit is required when filing DCF. The list of required documents for Frankfurt DCF is here. From your signature, it looks like you did not go this route, so this would not apply.

As to the original question, for the I-130 packet, everything should be translated to English (see the document linked above). For the IV packet - as HK12 noted - documents in English or German are fine, with a few exceptions that must be in English (those instructions here).

The instructions don't say anything about whether the Aufenhaltstitel should be translated. They do see them all the time, but we might do as you've done, Stressed Out, and quickly translate it just to be sure. What's one more piece of paper...

[Stressed Out 81]

I had emailed them a coupe days before and wasn't receiving a response from their office, so that's why I translated them to be safe. But, 10 minutes after I got home from shipping away the I-130 I got a USCIS email saying simply "the German residence permit does NOT need to be translated".

And, StrawberryKiss: It seems they only require proof of legal residence from the petitioner, so don't worry one bit...

4. Submit one copy of the petitioner’s German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or if dual citizen, copy of German passport, or a copy of the petitioner’s orders if he/she is a member of the U.S. military stationed or Armed Forces civilian employed in Germany to show proof of residence in Germany.

[StrawberryKiss 170]

The residence permit is required when filing DCF. The list of required documents for Frankfurt DCF is here. From your signature, it looks like you did not go this route, so this would not apply.

As to the original question, for the I-130 packet, everything should be translated to English (see the document linked above). For the IV packet - as HK12 noted - documents in English or German are fine, with a few exceptions that must be in English (those instructions here).

The instructions don't say anything about whether the Aufenhaltstitel should be translated. They do see them all the time, but we might do as you've done, Stressed Out, and quickly translate it just to be sure. What's one more piece of paper...

I had emailed them a coupe days before and wasn't receiving a response from their office, so that's why I translated them to be safe. But, 10 minutes after I got home from shipping away the I-130 I got a USCIS email saying simply "the German residence permit does NOT need to be translated".

And, StrawberryKiss: It seems they only require proof of legal residence from the petitioner, so don't worry one bit...

4. Submit one copy of the petitioner’s German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or if dual citizen, copy of German passport, or a copy of the petitioner’s orders if he/she is a member of the U.S. military stationed or Armed Forces civilian employed in Germany to show proof of residence in Germany.

Thank you both for the information!! I was just confused and freaking out a little bit. Oh well, that's what this whole process is doing to everyone involved, I guess

Good luck to all of us!

[Stressed Out 81]

As Tiny Tim would say: God bless us, everyone!

[awaywego 28]

I had emailed them a coupe days before and wasn't receiving a response from their office, so that's why I translated them to be safe. But, 10 minutes after I got home from shipping away the I-130 I got a USCIS email saying simply "the German residence permit does NOT need to be translated".

Thanks for this info! One less thing to do.