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triterp80

Exact Translations or Notarized Statements Suffice?

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Hello! I'm not sure if this situation is unique to Chinese immigrants or is found elsewhere (would love to hear back on this) - here is the situation:

We have emailed in our supporting IV documents, but a friend who hired a lawyer to help with his documents is giving us some new information that is getting me worried. The marriage certificate was translated from Mandarin to English and shows a picture of the original and then the corresponding translation. This is possible by the translation service because all marriage certificates in China are consistent in design and form.

The issue is with birth certificates and police certifications: these are unique in design to each hospital and police department apparently. Therefore the translation company doesn't do a word for word translation - they merely make a statement that the document states the person was born on such and such a date and time and the relevant facts, but it's not word for word. Then it is notarized and stamped. We asked if a separate translation company could translate word for word, and the answer was yes but they couldn't notarized and stamp it. Not too clear why not - something to do with it's not in keeping with government regulations (??)

I'm worried that my submitted materials are come back with a request for exact translation for the birth and police certs. (Marriage cert is exact).

1) Has anyone heard of this?

2) Will a notarized statement suffice or do they really need an exact translation?

Thanks for any help!

Justin

Edited by triterp80

04/16/13: Met online - eventually began talking every day :)

09/20/13: Met in China for the first time!

03/03/14: Second trip to China - had an amazing time

09/27/14: Third trip to China - proposed!
10/08/14: Married in China!

11/20/14: I130 sent to Chicago lockbox facility for CR1 Visa

11/25/14: NOA1 (I797C)

12/12/14: NOA2 (I797) - unusually quick processing!

02/06/15: NVC received, notified by email

02/07/15: Completed DS260 online

02/08/15: AOS fee ($120) paid online

02/16/15: AOS package sent via email

03/13/15: Can no longer sign into the CEAC?

03/16/15: Called NVC - since I submitted AOS via email, case number changed to electronic case number - prefix changed from GUZ to GZO

03/16/15: Resubmitted DS261 per phone conversation

03/17/15: Received email confirmation of receipt of AOS email on 3/17 and due to high volume will be at least 60 days to process

03/19/15: IV fee invoiced and paid online. IV fee status shows as 'in process'

03/20/15: IV fee status shows 'paid' and DS260/IV application is available

03/27/15: DS260 submitted online

03/30/15: IV package emailed

04/19/15: Emailed photocopies of marriage certificate, birth certificate and police certificate to supplement original email - just in case - was not prompted to do so

04/20/15: Email from NVC: all documents accepted - interview to be scheduled soon

04/23/15: Email from NVC: interview scheduled

05/18/15: Interview - Passed!

05/25/15: Wife picked up Visa in hand

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: China
Timeline

What seems to work with certainty is that you get the following documents

from local GongZhengChu.

They will provide birth, no marriage, and no criminal certificates

in both Chinese and English in a bound book...that is sometimes

referred to as "white book".

And while you are at it, request few certified copies for future use.

10-04-2013 We met online
11-21-2013 We met in person in Shanghai for 2 weeks

12-13-2013 I-129F packet sent via express

12-19-2013 USCIS NOA #1 (text and email) received

12-24-2013 USCIS assigns Alien Registration Number
12-31-2013 USCIS NOA #1 hard copy received
06-02-2014 USCIS web site shows NOA #2 approval
06-06-2014 USCIS web site shows case sent to NVC

06-xx-2014 Fiancee acquired birth, marriage, and police certificates from local police station (wrong)

06-16-2014 NVC creates case with GUZ### number

06-19-2014 NVC sends case sent to Guangzhou, China
06-24-2014 Received packet 3 express mail from embassy
06-25-2014 Completed DS-160 and paid K1 visa fee

06-26-2014 Mailed packet 3 response back to Embassy

06-26-2014 Requested police certificate from Russian embassy

07-08-2014 Received packet 4 email from Embassy

07-17-2014 Picked up Russian police certificate

07-25-2014 Fiancee medical exam (received MMR & Varicella, but they missed required TD shot)

07-31-2014 Picked up medical exam reports

08-01-2014 Request (correct) birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service (GongZhengChu)

08-06-2014 Picked up birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service

08-14-2014 Passed Interview Guangzhou embassy

09-01-2014 Received passport, visa, & sealed envelope

09-13-2014 POE

09-17-2014 Went to CBP office to get (US entry) I-94 updated correctly

09-18-2014 Applied for Social Security Card
09-19-2014 Applied for Marriage License (via online)
09-25-2014 Received Social Security Card
09-30-2014 Picked up Marriage License
10-09-2014 Marriage by Justice of Peace
10-09-2014 Got Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
10-17-2014 Received a letter from SS office that they need the marriage license
10-09-2014 Applied to change the social security card name
10-24-2014 Went back to SS office to provide the marriage certificate documents again!!!
12-09-2014 Submitted AOS, EAD, and AP
12-16-2014 Received 16 emails and 16 text NOA messages
01-05-2015 Received Biometrics appointment letter for (01-12-2015)
01-12-2015 Had Biometrics (fingerprint & picture) - Required Marriage Certificate!!!
02-17-2015 EAD and AP is approved
02-23-2015 Received AP is approval letter
02-25-2015 Received EAD/AP combo card (expires 02/16/2016)
02-27-2015 Applied for SS card name change (they took her SS card)
02-27-2015 Driver's learner permit test was denied since the SS card was given to SS office for name change
03-17-2015 Received SS card with married name
03-17-2015 Started to change all her accounts to married name
03-23-2015 Received potential interview waiver letter
03-27-2015 DMV rejects learner's permit due to "legal status=pending" and vision test failure
04-05-2015 Vision test for learner's permit
04-06-2015 DPS sent us letter that DHS cleared my wife's status to acquire driver's license.
04-10-2015 Passed Driver Learner's Permit
04-22-2015 Received Driver Learner's Permit ID card (expires 02/16/2016)
08-27-2015 Green Card approved
08-31-2015 Received Green Card "Welcome Notice Was Mailed" letter
09-05-2015 Received Green card
10-26-2015 Passed Driver's License Road Test (on 3rd attempt)
11-03-2015 Received Driver's License (expires 02/16/2022)
11-06-2015 Applied to remove conditional work remark on SS card
11-23-2015 Received updated Social Security Card.
- - - - - - - - - - Pending Future Processing - - - - - - - - - -
05-27-2017 File 10 Year Green Card
08-27-2017 2 Year Green Card Expires
05-27-2018 File USC

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

DualityOneNess... thanks for responding! That's what we have already... the white books. My friend's attorney is saying the white books for the police certificate and birth certificate are not word for word translations of the original documents like the marriage certificate is. Was that the same in your case? And if so, NVC had no issues taking these? I hope this makes sense.

04/16/13: Met online - eventually began talking every day :)

09/20/13: Met in China for the first time!

03/03/14: Second trip to China - had an amazing time

09/27/14: Third trip to China - proposed!
10/08/14: Married in China!

11/20/14: I130 sent to Chicago lockbox facility for CR1 Visa

11/25/14: NOA1 (I797C)

12/12/14: NOA2 (I797) - unusually quick processing!

02/06/15: NVC received, notified by email

02/07/15: Completed DS260 online

02/08/15: AOS fee ($120) paid online

02/16/15: AOS package sent via email

03/13/15: Can no longer sign into the CEAC?

03/16/15: Called NVC - since I submitted AOS via email, case number changed to electronic case number - prefix changed from GUZ to GZO

03/16/15: Resubmitted DS261 per phone conversation

03/17/15: Received email confirmation of receipt of AOS email on 3/17 and due to high volume will be at least 60 days to process

03/19/15: IV fee invoiced and paid online. IV fee status shows as 'in process'

03/20/15: IV fee status shows 'paid' and DS260/IV application is available

03/27/15: DS260 submitted online

03/30/15: IV package emailed

04/19/15: Emailed photocopies of marriage certificate, birth certificate and police certificate to supplement original email - just in case - was not prompted to do so

04/20/15: Email from NVC: all documents accepted - interview to be scheduled soon

04/23/15: Email from NVC: interview scheduled

05/18/15: Interview - Passed!

05/25/15: Wife picked up Visa in hand

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

DualityOneNess... thanks for responding! That's what we have already... the white books. My friend's attorney is saying the white books for the police certificate and birth certificate are not word for word translations of the original documents like the marriage certificate is. Was that the same in your case? And if so, NVC had no issues taking these? I hope this makes sense.

Pay no attention to what your friend's attorney is saying, the white books you submitted is what the Consulate wants. You shouldn't have any issues having those accepted by the NVC.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

Thank you so much Ryan. Ok, I will proceed with the white books already submitted and hope for the best :)

04/16/13: Met online - eventually began talking every day :)

09/20/13: Met in China for the first time!

03/03/14: Second trip to China - had an amazing time

09/27/14: Third trip to China - proposed!
10/08/14: Married in China!

11/20/14: I130 sent to Chicago lockbox facility for CR1 Visa

11/25/14: NOA1 (I797C)

12/12/14: NOA2 (I797) - unusually quick processing!

02/06/15: NVC received, notified by email

02/07/15: Completed DS260 online

02/08/15: AOS fee ($120) paid online

02/16/15: AOS package sent via email

03/13/15: Can no longer sign into the CEAC?

03/16/15: Called NVC - since I submitted AOS via email, case number changed to electronic case number - prefix changed from GUZ to GZO

03/16/15: Resubmitted DS261 per phone conversation

03/17/15: Received email confirmation of receipt of AOS email on 3/17 and due to high volume will be at least 60 days to process

03/19/15: IV fee invoiced and paid online. IV fee status shows as 'in process'

03/20/15: IV fee status shows 'paid' and DS260/IV application is available

03/27/15: DS260 submitted online

03/30/15: IV package emailed

04/19/15: Emailed photocopies of marriage certificate, birth certificate and police certificate to supplement original email - just in case - was not prompted to do so

04/20/15: Email from NVC: all documents accepted - interview to be scheduled soon

04/23/15: Email from NVC: interview scheduled

05/18/15: Interview - Passed!

05/25/15: Wife picked up Visa in hand

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: China
Timeline

DualityOneNess... thanks for responding! That's what we have already... the white books. My friend's attorney is saying the white books for the police certificate and birth certificate are not word for word translations of the original documents like the marriage certificate is. Was that the same in your case? And if so, NVC had no issues taking these? I hope this makes sense.

There could be more than one way to make this work,

but what I know with certainty is that they trust and accept "white book"

based on mine and countless other's experience that I've seen here on VJ.

Attorney's are business man with some legal knowledge,

and I have a hunch that they don't know about "white book" that well

or is twisting and stretching the facts to create more work so that they

can make more money.

It would be interesting to know if that attorney had any involvement

in the document translation in terms of collecting partial or full charge

for that unnecessary effort.

You'll be fine.

10-04-2013 We met online
11-21-2013 We met in person in Shanghai for 2 weeks

12-13-2013 I-129F packet sent via express

12-19-2013 USCIS NOA #1 (text and email) received

12-24-2013 USCIS assigns Alien Registration Number
12-31-2013 USCIS NOA #1 hard copy received
06-02-2014 USCIS web site shows NOA #2 approval
06-06-2014 USCIS web site shows case sent to NVC

06-xx-2014 Fiancee acquired birth, marriage, and police certificates from local police station (wrong)

06-16-2014 NVC creates case with GUZ### number

06-19-2014 NVC sends case sent to Guangzhou, China
06-24-2014 Received packet 3 express mail from embassy
06-25-2014 Completed DS-160 and paid K1 visa fee

06-26-2014 Mailed packet 3 response back to Embassy

06-26-2014 Requested police certificate from Russian embassy

07-08-2014 Received packet 4 email from Embassy

07-17-2014 Picked up Russian police certificate

07-25-2014 Fiancee medical exam (received MMR & Varicella, but they missed required TD shot)

07-31-2014 Picked up medical exam reports

08-01-2014 Request (correct) birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service (GongZhengChu)

08-06-2014 Picked up birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service

08-14-2014 Passed Interview Guangzhou embassy

09-01-2014 Received passport, visa, & sealed envelope

09-13-2014 POE

09-17-2014 Went to CBP office to get (US entry) I-94 updated correctly

09-18-2014 Applied for Social Security Card
09-19-2014 Applied for Marriage License (via online)
09-25-2014 Received Social Security Card
09-30-2014 Picked up Marriage License
10-09-2014 Marriage by Justice of Peace
10-09-2014 Got Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
10-17-2014 Received a letter from SS office that they need the marriage license
10-09-2014 Applied to change the social security card name
10-24-2014 Went back to SS office to provide the marriage certificate documents again!!!
12-09-2014 Submitted AOS, EAD, and AP
12-16-2014 Received 16 emails and 16 text NOA messages
01-05-2015 Received Biometrics appointment letter for (01-12-2015)
01-12-2015 Had Biometrics (fingerprint & picture) - Required Marriage Certificate!!!
02-17-2015 EAD and AP is approved
02-23-2015 Received AP is approval letter
02-25-2015 Received EAD/AP combo card (expires 02/16/2016)
02-27-2015 Applied for SS card name change (they took her SS card)
02-27-2015 Driver's learner permit test was denied since the SS card was given to SS office for name change
03-17-2015 Received SS card with married name
03-17-2015 Started to change all her accounts to married name
03-23-2015 Received potential interview waiver letter
03-27-2015 DMV rejects learner's permit due to "legal status=pending" and vision test failure
04-05-2015 Vision test for learner's permit
04-06-2015 DPS sent us letter that DHS cleared my wife's status to acquire driver's license.
04-10-2015 Passed Driver Learner's Permit
04-22-2015 Received Driver Learner's Permit ID card (expires 02/16/2016)
08-27-2015 Green Card approved
08-31-2015 Received Green Card "Welcome Notice Was Mailed" letter
09-05-2015 Received Green card
10-26-2015 Passed Driver's License Road Test (on 3rd attempt)
11-03-2015 Received Driver's License (expires 02/16/2022)
11-06-2015 Applied to remove conditional work remark on SS card
11-23-2015 Received updated Social Security Card.
- - - - - - - - - - Pending Future Processing - - - - - - - - - -
05-27-2017 File 10 Year Green Card
08-27-2017 2 Year Green Card Expires
05-27-2018 File USC

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