Stamp/notary for certified translations (129f)

[tei 0]

My fiancee is fluent in both Romanian (native) and English. I have seen several posts where people have translated their own documents for the 129F application. My question is:

If my fiancee translates her own documents, is it necessary to get the papers notarized (by a notary) or stamped by a liscensed translator?

I am asking this because if no official stamps or notorizations are necessary, it seems that anyone could translate the papers, even if they are not qualified, and just sign and date them using the certification declarations others on this site have posted. This does not seem like it would be acceptible. Any more information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you, Jeff

[shannon65 2]

I was under the impression it was necessary to get a certified translator for official documents. That's what I did. Maybe others have done it differently?

[aussiewench 9]

It is not a requirement to have translations done by a certified translator. Anyone fluent and conversant in both the language and english is all that is required. However at interview level I have noted the odd member that has been asked to resubmit translations of a document such as birth certificate that were originally translated by someone not certified.

From USCIS http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/scnational/

Documents Not in English:

All documents that are in a language other than English must be submitted with a translation. The person translating the document must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that he/she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English

13. 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 type language languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled name document.

Signature

Date

Typed Name

Address

There is no mention anywhere with USCIS that a Certified Translator has to be used. So its up to you.

[ivona 0]

tei, I can understand your confusion and from aussiewench posted it would seem it is acceptable and up to you to decide.

Now, as someone who is fluent in english, in this particular process where it is really important to shorten the time it takes to get done everything you must do to be with your loved one- I, personally will not risk it... even with the substantial cost of certified translations, I`m gettting it done for both, the birth and police ceritificates- especially, since for a minimum cost you can get several copies of those, as you will need them in the future AOS part of the process...

why potentialy risk a delay when you don`t have to...

[Yodrak 7]

aussiewench,

Interesting that the USCIS-approved certification statement does use the word "fluent". Fluency is not necessary for translating documents - literacy is.

Yodrak

It is not a requirement to have translations done by a certified translator. Anyone fluent and conversant in both the language and english is all that is required. However at interview level I have noted the odd member that has been asked to resubmit translations of a document such as birth certificate that were originally translated by someone not certified.

From USCIS http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/scnational/

Documents Not in English:

All documents that are in a language other than English must be submitted with a translation. The person translating the document must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that he/she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English

13. 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 type language languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled name document.

Signature

Date

Typed Name

Address

There is no mention anywhere with USCIS that a Certified Translator has to be used. So its up to you.

[aussiewench 9]

hahahaha I tend to agree

aussiewench,

Interesting that the USCIS-approved certification statement does use the word "fluent". Fluency is not necessary for translating documents - literacy is.

Yodrak

It is not a requirement to have translations done by a certified translator. Anyone fluent and conversant in both the language and english is all that is required. However at interview level I have noted the odd member that has been asked to resubmit translations of a document such as birth certificate that were originally translated by someone not certified.

From USCIS http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/scnational/

Documents Not in English:

All documents that are in a language other than English must be submitted with a translation. The person translating the document must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that he/she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English

13. 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 type language languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled name document.

Signature

Date

Typed Name

Address

There is no mention anywhere with USCIS that a Certified Translator has to be used. So its up to you.

Edited March 10, 2006 by aussiewench