Do translations need to be notarized?

[Laleh 2]

I've been seeing conflicting information on the different websites in regards to translations.

Some websites say translations of documents need to be notarized.

Some say they don't, just that the translator needs to be qualified (I've seen the statement they need to include in the translation in other posts; I've bookmarked them for later reference), and that it can be done by anyone who is fluent in both languages.

Some say that the translations need to be notarized if they are done outside the U.S. (we live in Czech Republic, and the documents need to be translated from Russian to English).

Which one is it? Thanks for your time, and sorry for bringing up a topic that's probably been discussed before. I just want to double and triple check before we do anything. I'm sure you understand!

[meuy99 4]

My husband translated some of the documents himself. For the fiance visa, he had some of the documents translated and certified but it was so expensive. So, for the adjustment of status, he translated the documents himself and signed an affidavit (found example online, maybe even here) that said he is fluent in both languages and stapled it to the translated documents.

[JFH 12,190]

Each embassy is different. Some require translations to be notarised, others don't.

I would follow your embassy's instructions (I am assuming he will be interviewing in Prague):

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/PRG%20-%20Prague.pdf

[Laleh 2]

Thanks! I asked someone at the embassy once (was emailing about another question) and this was the response:

All documents issued by Czech authorities need not be translated, all other documents must be translated into English by a qualified translator.

(I guess qualified doesn't have to mean notarized, but I was embarrassed to reply and ask for clarification)

And on the PDF you linked, it just says "translations," nothing about notarization.

I think I'll go ahead and tell my husband to go ahead and start translating them. Both language schools I teach at also offer proofreading in their translation departments, so I think I'll have one of them look it over afterwards and sign that he or she is fluent in both languages and that it is correct (after all, that statement doesn't say that THEY were the ones to translate it). This will be much cheaper than having them do the actual translations.

Edited October 25, 2016 by Laleh