who can translate the birth certificate?

[newlyweds2010 208]

I read that many of you translated their birth certificate yourselves or had it translated by spouse/in-laws. Others say that it's necessary to have a certified translation by some professional translators.

Since translators are expensive (I was asked $ 100 for a half-page document), is it safe to do it ourselves and just declare that we did a good job and that the translation is awesome?

I can surely do it, my wife can surely do it too. I'd rather save those $ 100 to buy something else.

[menina 50]

I read that many of you translated their birth certificate yourselves or had it translated by spouse/in-laws. Others say that it's necessary to have a certified translation by some professional translators.

Since translators are expensive (I was asked $ 100 for a half-page document), is it safe to do it ourselves and just declare that we did a good job and that the translation is awesome?

I can surely do it, my wife can surely do it too. I'd rather save those $ 100 to buy something else.

As long as you or your wife are competent in both languages, you can do the translation yourselves. There is a statement that needs to be attached saying the translation is true and accurate and that you are competent in both languages. (English and Italian?)Here are the instructions from the USCIS website

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

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

[newlyweds2010 208]

As long as you or your wife are competent in both languages, you can do the translation yourselves. There is a statement that needs to be attached saying the translation is true and accurate and that you are competent in both languages. (English and Italian?)Here are the instructions from the USCIS website

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

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

thank you for your reply. we could both do it, since we both speak Italian and English, I thought that there was some rule that neither the petitioner nor the beneficiary could do it.

did you translate yours yourself?

[Poline 0]

I translated mine

Edited August 21, 2010 by Poline

[newlyweds2010 208]

I translated mine

And USCIS didn't have anything against it? that's cool, I think I will do it myself because translators are ridiculously expensive.

[Poline 0]

And USCIS didn't have anything against it? that's cool, I think I will do it myself because translators are ridiculously expensive.

take a look:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/translations

the USCIS accepted my translation with no problem

[menina 50]

take a look:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/translations

the USCIS accepted my translation with no problem

Same here. Did my husband's with no issues.

[Kurt y Dora 1]

I read that many of you translated their birth certificate yourselves or had it translated by spouse/in-laws. Others say that it's necessary to have a certified translation by some professional translators.

Since translators are expensive (I was asked $ 100 for a half-page document), is it safe to do it ourselves and just declare that we did a good job and that the translation is awesome?

I can surely do it, my wife can surely do it too. I'd rather save those $ 100 to buy something else.

I used CertifiedTranslate.com. The cost was $59 for the Birth certificate and they did it in three days, including sending me a copy to double check everything and then fixing one small item that was difficult to read on the form I sent them. I was impressed by their work. This was my contact person

:

Desa Philadelphia

CertifiedTranslate | Project Manager

2801 Townsgate Rd. Ste 213 | Westlake Village, CA 91361 USA

T +1 888-856-2228 x103 (Direct Line)

T +1 310-684-3153 x103 (outside USA)

F + 1 310-564-1944

desa@certifiedtranslate.com

[pinkplumage 0]

I think, it's better to use cert. translate because you can use it in the future. Check your embassy. My embassy charge me only $15.

[newlyweds2010 208]

I think, it's better to use cert. translate because you can use it in the future. Check your embassy. My embassy charge me only $15.

??

[Poline 0]

If you are able to translate your birth certificate, why wasting money with cert translators?

[newlyweds2010 208]

If you are able to translate your birth certificate, why wasting money with cert translators?

that's what I'm saying: if a certified translator is not required and USCIS accepts translations made directly by the petitioner/beneficiary, I'm fine with that. It took me 10 minutes to do it, it's not even a page, and I don't see why I should pay $60+ for this service, which is obviously not worth that money. Plus, I can get my signature notarized for free by my wife's aunt who is a notary.

Edited August 23, 2010 by newlyweds2010

[esaltes 0]

So just to be clear, my wife can translate her own Romanian birth certificate to English if she uses this format:

"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"

?

What should the format of the translated birth certificate look like? It should be similar to original I imagine?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

So just to be clear, my wife can translate her own Romanian birth certificate to English if she uses this format:

"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"

?

What should the format of the translated birth certificate look like? It should be similar to original I imagine?

Yes, you just need to add that certification on your translated document. Just try and stick to the general format and layout as best you can of the original you are translating.

[Nina Sourez 4]

I asked this question before. This is what I got from a translator in the US.

A phone call to the USCIS revealed that you actually can't. I asked if it was okay to self-translate a birth certificate. A very polite representative advised I should seek the professional help of a translator or agency instead. However, reading around the popular immigration forums opens up new interesting stories. For example, there are actually people who have managed to translate and certify their birth certificates themselves and were not turned down. Others talk about having had their birth certificates translated by friends and family and being easily accepted. While their stories may be true, it is still a very chancy situation. Who wants to ruin their application process by receiving an RFE (Request for Evidence) which slows you down by a long time? Simply, noone! Better safe than sorry, you might think to yourself! And you are right, as a professional certified translation only costs $25 saving you from embarrassment and months of waiting!

To certify a translation means, in other words, to guarantee that the translation is accurate. Most birth certificates contain words, terms and expressions that may not be so easy to translate, thus making an ordinary person incapable of guaranteeing the accuracy. Not to mention the names of government institutions whose equivalents are sometimes complicated to find the in the USA.

Another reason why translating a birth certificate yourself is not a good idea raises an issue of credibility. The immigration officials may just reject your translation based on the fact that it casts doubt on the translated information. Understandably, this would be done to prevent fraud. This scenario inludes family members and friends as well.

To summarize, you do not want to slow down getting your emoloyment authorization or permanent residence card (green card) by translating your birth certificate yourself or by your friends or family. Trying to save $25 and hoping the USCIS overlooks it is just not worthy it. You lose time doing it, you lose time getting it rejected and you lose time getting it finally translated by a real professional or agency. It is rather risky! Get it translated properly the first time.

He recommended Dttranslations.com they charge $25 for an entire document.