Translating your own documents, Yay or nay?

[izola 1]

Me and my husband are having a dispute. I think it would be weird of me to translate my divorce decree myself, while my husband doesnt see anything wrong with it since I am the person we know that is the most fluent in both languages.

Has anyone translated their own documents for USCIS? Or have a valid opinion please let me know since it's a rather big argument here right now and I want to get the papers sent in ASAP

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Me and my husband are having a dispute. I think it would be weird of me to translate my divorce decree myself, while my husband doesnt see anything wrong with it since I am the person we know that is the most fluent in both languages.

Has anyone translated their own documents for USCIS? Or have a valid opinion please let me know since it's a rather big argument here right now and I want to get the papers sent in ASAP

Done it for my case. DOne it for other family members. DO it all the time for volunteer work I do.

A lot of people do.

You can always pay a translator, but depending on language, size, how fast and subject matter, it will at least 50/page and up.

Lycka till!

[izola 1]

Thanks, I was searching topics now and saw that its been done before. It doesn't include alot of text and I've been able to get it properly, or atleast what I consider properly, translated myself allready was just not sure. Thank you again for the answer.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Thanks, I was searching topics now and saw that its been done before. It doesn't include alot of text and I've been able to get it properly, or atleast what I consider properly, translated myself allready was just not sure. Thank you again for the answer.

No prob.

Esentially it all comes down to add a paragraph that spells that you are fluent in both languages and stating this is a translation of original. You can find examples here; I saw one just in the past 2 weeks in this forum.

Second: there is always the question of format: the translated document needs to resemble the original or not? Both cases do work. Done both. Since I have templates (that I've made for some of the cases I do), I usually do it in a format that looks like original; but at times, when I don't have time to play with formatting, I just do it as "normal" text; just following same sequence and general cosmetics (if something is boldface, I would boldface; but I don't eve try to match font type or size.

So far, never had a problem. Occasionally I'd recommend people to get a professional translator when the wording is very legalese and neither I nor someone I would know can tell the correct English.

And I also tell people that they are more than welcome to show my translation to others and to compare to what others would do. I only do this for languages I'm fluent on of course.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion; submission of self-translations of required documents to USCIS is not exclusive to the spousal visa process.

[SOflaherty 40]

My husband's divorce decree was in Danish and he did the translation for that. NO RFE's so far and expecting notice for interview any time now.

[WillandKaoru 0]

Although many people get away with translating the documents themselves, it does increase the chances of receiving a REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE (RFE) and delaying the whole process.

You can use a translation service, but can be expensive or have a friend do it.

I have seen it online and I was told by one USCIS employee that the only people NOT allowed to do the translation are:

The Petitioner, the Beneficiary, and close relatives.

But I have not been able to find any official document supporting that claim.

I my case, my wife is Japanese and one of the documents required to be translated and submitted is the family registry.

I missed a typo of a couple dates on the translation (done and certified by a professional service), it is my fault because they did ask me to check for errors and I guess I didn’t look close enough and assumed it was OK.

USCIS sent us a letter requesting a new translation.

I am thinking of just sending a corrected translation done by myself, but I worry that they may request more RFEs.

The correct way to do it is to send back to Japan for a new Family Register(in Japanese) because I don’t currently have a copy here in the States plus once issued it is only valid for 30 days. Then get it translated and send the new original and translation in together.

I know it is more than what they are asking for, but it would be playing it safer that way.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Me and my husband are having a dispute. I think it would be weird of me to translate my divorce decree myself, while my husband doesnt see anything wrong with it since I am the person we know that is the most fluent in both languages.

Has anyone translated their own documents for USCIS? Or have a valid opinion please let me know since it's a rather big argument here right now and I want to get the papers sent in ASAP

Your husband is right. You are wrong. (I often like my wife telling me that she was wrong and I was right. LOL.)

USCIS even tells you how to translate your own documents.

I have translated everything for my family and never had a problem. They all have their green cards.

The translator does not require any training or certification. The translator only includes the statement below. I have no training, just a regular person doing the translation.

Here it is from USCIS; http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=ff053d146a7ee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

• Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

  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

[aaron2020 11,651]

Although many people get away with translating the documents themselves, it does increase the chances of receiving a REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE (RFE) and delaying the whole process.

You can use a translation service, but can be expensive or have a friend do it.

I have seen it online and I was told by one USCIS employee that the only people NOT allowed to do the translation are:

The Petitioner, the Beneficiary, and close relatives.

But I have not been able to find any official document supporting that claim.

I my case, my wife is Japanese and one of the documents required to be translated and submitted is the family registry.

I missed a typo of a couple dates on the translation (done and certified by a professional service), it is my fault because they did ask me to check for errors and I guess I didn’t look close enough and assumed it was OK.

USCIS sent us a letter requesting a new translation.

I am thinking of just sending a corrected translation done by myself, but I worry that they may request more RFEs.

The correct way to do it is to send back to Japan for a new Family Register(in Japanese) because I don’t currently have a copy here in the States plus once issued it is only valid for 30 days. Then get it translated and send the new original and translation in together.

I know it is more than what they are asking for, but it would be playing it safer that way.

I completely disagree.

I have translated over 50 documents for family and friends and never had a RFE for a translation.

The reason for your RFE is because you got the dates wrong.

There is absolutely no prohibition against the petitioner, beneficiary, or close relatives doing the translation. I did it for my brother and his family. Many people who are the petitioners or the beneficiaries have done their own translations.

[NickD 202]

No problems for us.

"Certification by the Translator

I, Gloria C. XXXXXXX, certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and Spanish languages, and that the above/attached document is accurate.

Date: August 31st, 20XX

Address: ___________________________"

[NickD 202]

Could add in the USA, there is no formal certification for either translators or interpreters. The DOS that hires a bunch of these doesn't have any certification requirements either. There are a couple of private firms that offer certification, like MITA, but highly debatable, was others that no longer exist.

And what certifications they do offer are only limited to a handful of countries. Not even sure why we had to translate these documents when the USCIS does have a Spanish speaking line.

Another issue on this same subject is trying to find someplace that makes certified copies, in particular of foreign documents that are almost next to impossible to replace. Our register of deeds use to do this, but don't anymore, claims they were overworked and underpaid. But when I walk in there a half a dozen people sitting behind desks watching the clock tick.

So these documents are treated like gold, keep them in a fire proof safe, and when removed, a clean area, no kids around, and certainly no soft drinks or coffee cups.

Anyone find any place that makes certified copies in the USA? I couldn't find any. Speaking of divorce papers, like that one copy we have for my wife. Would have to fly down there, hire a worthless notary for at least 500 US bucks, then only he can get them with another huge fee. She needed a new country ID because of her place of birth on her US passport, that took over a week of chasing around and 1,500 bucks. And they sure love US bucks.

[skysofialila 45]

Just to clarify, the NVC and the Consulates also accept translations that are done by anyone who is fluent in both languages and do not require a notary?

[calygirl75 12]

Save your money! Do it yourself. If you are are fluent go for it.