Translation of documents accompanying I-129F - details please

[jook 2]

[sorry to repost in this in a new thread but the previous topic header wasn't germane]

The only reference I found to translations is under #9 of the I-129F instructions. I previously didn't bother to read #9 thoroughly because it appeared from the title (MANDATORY TRACKING OF MULTIPLE PETITIONS AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION PAMPHLET) to be irrelevant in my case. In any case, the following paragraph seems to substantiate that translations of all documents are required:

Translations. Any document containing foreign language submitted to the Service shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

So, my question - what is the proper protocol or format for a translation? Also, the above paragraph states, "...a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate." What exactly does this mean? Like, are there certain qualifications that a translator must have? What exactly is meant by certified? Is it simply a statement from the translator?

Sorry to be so picayune.

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

Actually, it just means that at the bottom of the translation, there should be a short statement like this:

Translator's Declaration

I, [TRANSLATOR'S NAME], declare that I am fluent in and understand the English language and the ______________________language. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the attached translation(s) are true, accurate and correct.

Edited April 5, 2008 by guatetaliana

[motu 5]

Hey jook: The only thing I asked my fiancee to get translated was her birth certificate - and that was for AOS - for Bogota everything was in Spanish. And, she just paid a notary in Barranquilla less than $5 to make two translated and certified copies of her birth certificate. Don't worry, a lot of people have done the translations themselves and have been ok. Good Luck

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Hey jook: The only thing I asked my fiancee to get translated was her birth certificate - and that was for AOS - for Bogota everything was in Spanish. And, she just paid a notary in Barranquilla less than $5 to make two translated and certified copies of her birth certificate. Don't worry, a lot of people have done the translations themselves and have been ok. Good Luck

The OP, is NOT at the Consulate stage yet. He is filing for I-129F at the USCIS so YES (again) everything that is not in english needs to be translated.

Motu, which documents in spanish did you send to the USCIS when you filed I-129F? If you sent them in spanish you were lucky you did not get a RFE. In the case of the OP, he needs to submit a copy of the divorce decree (that is originally in spanish, so it has to be translated when he files the I-129F), your case was probably different than his.

OP, about your question.. read the format what guatetaliana gave you.

[jook 2]

Thanks, I think I understand, FINALLY!

This site is the greatest.

[motu 5]

Hey jook: The only thing I asked my fiancee to get translated was her birth certificate - and that was for AOS - for Bogota everything was in Spanish. And, she just paid a notary in Barranquilla less than $5 to make two translated and certified copies of her birth certificate. Don't worry, a lot of people have done the translations themselves and have been ok. Good Luck

The OP, is NOT at the Consulate stage yet. He is filing for I-129F at the USCIS so YES (again) everything that is not in english needs to be translated.

Motu, which documents in spanish did you send to the USCIS when you filed I-129F? If you sent them in spanish you were lucky you did not get a RFE. In the case of the OP, he needs to submit a copy of the divorce decree (that is originally in spanish, so it has to be translated when he files the I-129F), your case was probably different than his.

OP, about your question.. read the format what guatetaliana gave you.

I didn't send my fiancee's birth certificate to USCIS with my petition. It wasn't a requirement then, and I don't think it's a requirement now. (I have helped a friend file another I129 two months ago and he didn't need a birth certificate either - he was approved by the way - he is waiting for his fiancee's interview right now). For my fiancee's interview in Bogota - she didn't need the translated copy either - only for AOS. So, you do not need the birth certificate translated or otherwise at this stage - she may need a copy (in Spanish) for her interview but you do not need to send one to anyone. Good Luck

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Motu, I understand what you are saying We're talking about two different things.

The OP needs a copy of the divorce decree (not birth certificate) to include with the I-129F as it is requirement for those who had been married previously. You're right the birth certificate is not a requirement for the I-129F package, (but in some cases there have been RFE asking for it.. I'm not sure why!) You did not need the birth certificate at the USCIS stage. BUT for the OP it is requirement to send a copy of the divorce decree (that is originally in spanish) to the USCIS with the I-129F so he needs to get it translated. Two different cases, two different requirements.

My point was, telling him that he will be ok without the translations might not be the best advice, as his case is different than yours. He has documents in spanish that need to be sent to the USCIS, unlike you, you did not have to send any spanish documents to the USCIS only to the Embassy, that is why you did not need a translation.

Just wanted to clear that out.

Edited April 5, 2008 by eric_and_teresa