Translation of Marriage Certificate and Evidence

[Ed & Kat 2]

I am in the process of completing the online 130 for my wife of 14+ years. Obviously, I want to avoid an RFE, and I have a question about marriage certificate translations and evidence.

 

Question 1: I have two separate translations of my official Japanese wedding certificate that I had made for other purposes a few years ago: 

 

1. One version is a self-translation that was notarized by the US embassy in Japan. It only contains the basic information from the original (names, dates, etc.) but specifically includes the marriage case number. 

2. The second version was made by a professional translator and includes almost all of the information on the original form (Japanese mayor’s name, etc.) except for marriage case number. It is already apostilled, though I know this is not required. 

 

Should I just choose one translation (probably the second because it is more complete) or include both translations?  Would including both translations complicate the reviewing process unnecessarily or is it a case of “the more, the better”.  I don’t know how finicky the USCIS is about the translations at the 130 stage. 

 

Question 2: For evidence, I will of course submit my passport page, the translated marriage certificate with original, and my daughter’s US Consular Report of Birth Abroad with our names listed as parents, pictures, etc.  I thought I would create a PDF with 10-15 pictures of the wedding, and subsequent years together (with our daughter).  We don't have any financial documents in both of our names.  Do you all think this would be enough? Seems like the 14 years of marriage and the child would be enough, but other posters seem to have more evidence. 

 

[payxibka 10,045]

2 hours ago, Bobross said:

 

 

I am in the process of completing the online 130 for my wife of 14+ years. Obviously, I want to avoid an RFE, and I have a question about marriage certificate translations and evidence.

 

Question 1: I have two separate translations of my official Japanese wedding certificate that I had made for other purposes a few years ago: 

 

1. One version is a self-translation that was notarized by the US embassy in Japan. It only contains the basic information from the original (names, dates, etc.) but specifically includes the marriage case number. 

2. The second version was made by a professional translator and includes almost all of the information on the original form (Japanese mayor’s name, etc.) except for marriage case number. It is already apostilled, though I know this is not required. 

 

Should I just choose one translation (probably the second because it is more complete) or include both translations?  Would including both translations complicate the reviewing process unnecessarily or is it a case of “the more, the better”.  I don’t know how finicky the USCIS is about the translations at the 130 stage. 

 

Question 2: For evidence, I will of course submit my passport page, the translated marriage certificate with original, and my daughter’s US Consular Report of Birth Abroad with our names listed as parents, pictures, etc.  I thought I would create a PDF with 10-15 pictures of the wedding, and subsequent years together (with our daughter).  We don't have any financial documents in both of our names.  Do you all think this would be enough? Seems like the 14 years of marriage and the child would be enough, but other posters seem to have more evidence. 

 

More is not always better and that goes for pictures as well.

[pushbrk 12,903]

Your evidence is sufficient.  Don't go overboard on the photos.  You've been married 14 years.

 

A complete translation of your marriage certificate is required for this purpose.  It sounds like neither of the translations you have are complete.