a quick question with regards to translations. Since I´m fluent in both languages, am i allowed to do the translations on the documents i submit myself and include the statement of accuracy? if not, can relative do it? or does it have to be a non relative?
thanks
JK

You can translate, or better yet have a friend do it.

About translating documents you can have a friend do it they just have to sign the translation at the bottom with a statement like:

I certify that I am competent to translate from [Language] to English and that the above [identify the document and to whom it pertains] is a correct and true translation to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signed:_______________
Address:______________
Telephone:____________
Date:_________________

THANKS, i wanted to make sure that i was allowed. yes, i will include the statement at the end.
JK

Check with the embassy to see what statement they require. Some embassies require a CERTIFIED TRANSLATION which is different than just writing the statement above. Also, there are "magic words" (words in the statement that are from the USCIS site and I don't have the ones I used on this computer) and tomorrow I'll post them.

ok thanks, i´ll be waiting for those magic words.
JK

jediknight

Translations submitted with the filing of the initial petition at USCIS service center generally are not required to be translated by a certified translator. See USCIS Document Translation Policy

Documents for DOS/Consulates are generally required to be translated by a certified translator. Also, instructions from Consulates generally state that documents not in the native language of the country or in English, should be accompanied by a certified translation. Follow the instructions given by your individual consulate.

I was told that it had to be translated by a certified translator when your documents go to the consular officer. I work with someone who is a spanish/english teacher with a degree and I was told that they wouldn't accept it from her. I would write the embassy. I paid a $100 to have our marriage certificate and my husbands birth certificate translated to english.

I would recommend just go ahead and get it certified translated. You'll probably eventually need that anyway. To save yourself some time and money, go to a court certified translator-that's what the MVA required for my marriage certificate, and you can pretty much bet that will be good for most everyone else, so you can use and re-use that translation.

I hereby declare that I am competent to translate from [the foreign language] into English. I further certify that the attached English translation is a true, complete and accurate translation of the document attached in the [foreign language] language.

With all due respect to the other poster, when you add "to the best of my knowledge and belief" you are leaving something on the table. These people are always looking for a reason to throw a document back or reject it, and that kind of "hedge" language is a hook. If you're competent to translate, you should be able to say "true, complete and accurate" without the hedging...I used the language above, and it was fine. I somewhat agree with the other poster that in the case of any doubt, use a certified translation (although this can be expensive)....good luck!!!!

Depends on where you go. I got my birth certificate translated by a certified (but not court certified) translator and paid $65 a page; the court certified translator who did my marriage certificate charged $40.