Birth certificate, certified AND notarized?

[AandB 3]

I'm really confused, i heard that if i do my own translation and write a letter to "certify" that the translation is acurate, it's ok. I also heard that the birth certificate must have a certified translation by a professional AND be notarized. What to believe? What did you all do?

[zenaxe 22]

I'm really confused, i heard that if i do my own translation and write a letter to "certify" that the translation is acurate, it's ok. I also heard that the birth certificate must have a certified translation by a professional AND be notarized. What to believe? What did you all do?

I think I've replied to your previous thread about this. Read what it says in the Dept of State website and follow that. It tells you what is required...

[zenaxe 22]

I meant to add something and didn't....the Dept of State tells you what they need..

Translation Requirements

All documents not 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. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the:

Translation is accurate, and

Translator is competent to translate.

I had to have mine translated and I used the local immigrant services folks. They stamped a copy and said this a true copy and is the exact as the original and not altered in any way. As well they stamped a different page saying they were competent and able to translate etc. I didn't get it notarized.

Edited April 21, 2010 by zenaxe

[AandB 3]

Thanks for the reply! The only thing, is that i don't really want to refer at the DoS..Because every consulate wants something different. I want to know what people had to their interview, and if it was accepted or not. Because if there's a possibility i can do it myself to save some money, i will! i just don't want to be denied for that I just need some people's experience!

[zenaxe 22]

the department of state identifies what it wants for the consulates. it's up to DOS. if you have a local immigration services place that helps new immigrants, check with them. they did mine for a small fee and they put in the proper stamps etc. mine was notarized or certified. nvc needs to make sure you have the original and that any original documents not in english is accurately translated by someone who is able and competent to translate and that the translation is accurate and unaltered. you could probably do it yourself but i think it may best be handled by someone other than yourself to ensure there aren't any perceived issues by NVC.

I'm not sure how of of what DOS wants is independently decided by respective consulates - besides aren't you in Canada? If so, then the DOS information is clear and you won't have any problems.

[trailmix 77]

The difference being, with CR1/IR1 we use the instructions on the DOS site and that is fine - however, with K visas - and AandB are applying for a K visa, it states in Pkt 3 that it must be done by a certified translator and notarized. Also, they don't send their documents to NVC (someone else posted about this today, so I went and read the pkt 3 instructions).

Personally, I think you should follow the instructions given by Montreal.

AandB, if you don't have pkt3 yet, click on the Wiki link up at the top of this page and then do a search for Canada - you will find links to pkt3 there.

As an aside, if the DOS instructions for CR1/IR1 were actually accurate then if your BC was in French, you would not have to have it translated - but you do.

Edited April 21, 2010 by trailmix

[Veronik 19]

Kayla&Mathew had a translation done, it was not certified nor notarized, and she told me that the guy at the interview barely even look at those papers...

I got mine translated by a retired translator, he signed a piece of paper with attention to the consulate, and then I had those notarized, for free (copies and translations). If you want, AandB, I can send you the letter I used for him to sign so you can use the same one or something like it.

Let me know!

[AandB 3]

Thanks Trailmix for the info! Yes i actually have my interview on june 1st, so yeah i have the P3

Vero & Chris, i found some translators here in Sherbrooke that i can go to for not too expensive, i'll do that. But i don't think i'll need the letter since they are certified and still working. But thanks for the offer I'm just not sure if i'll get it notarized, if some people didn't get it notarized and it was ok, it can save me some money.