Lost in Translations

[giannidellavigne 0]

Assembling the AOS packet...The only document that really needs to be translated is her birth certificate. Does she need this translation done by a professional agency? (If so, recommendations would be great) OR can we just translate the document ourselves?

(Sorry if this question has been asked many times..i searched for it and found nothing on it)

Thanks,

John

[Anyta Holland 0]

Can you call your Embassy and ask if they have a list of approved interpreters? That might help... The Embassy in Venezuela has a list of interpreters around the country...

[neptune970 0]

Assembling the AOS packet...The only document that really needs to be translated is her birth certificate. Does she need this translation done by a professional agency? (If so, recommendations would be great) OR can we just translate the document ourselves?

(Sorry if this question has been asked many times..i searched for it and found nothing on it)

Thanks,

John

Translations have to be done at a professional agency, they can't be done by you. You can look one up online or in the yellow pages.

[Bosco 1]

The embassy may offer services. Ours does, and far less expensive than you would find elsewhere.

[kc456 0]

The previous poster seem to be confusing AOS with visa application -- no embassy is involved.

The translations can be done by anyone capabable, and certified by that individual. Let me look for the wording USCIS wants.

I did my own translation, and had my bi-lingual friend certify them.

[kc456 0]

Here it is -- from the source. In short, no need to use a professional agency if you can do it yourself. My lawyer advised not to certify the translation myself (due to conflict of interest, although I've seen people do it themselves). That's why I used my friend:

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

Source:

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices...nal/index.htm#H

Look for item number 13.

Edited August 15, 2006 by kc456

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

As KC456 poitend out.

. The translator does not have to be "certified of official, by writing up and signing a statement like that below the translator must certify that He/She is fluent in both the English and Foreign language. It does not need to be notorized. It may be starnge if the petitionor signs the translation but it is perfectly alright as long as he/she is fluent in english and foreign language of document being translated. See attached for a sample translation letter.

Item #13 from USCIS Website regarding Certifying translated foriegn Documents

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

translation_letter.doc

Edited August 15, 2006 by Addie_Goodvibes

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Assembling the AOS packet...The only document that really needs to be translated is her birth certificate. Does she need this translation done by a professional agency? (If so, recommendations would be great) OR can we just translate the document ourselves?

(Sorry if this question has been asked many times..i searched for it and found nothing on it)

Thanks,

John

They don't have to be done by a 'professional'.

#13 torwards the bottom

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices...nal/index.htm#H

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[dirtyd301 0]

I agree that they don't have to be done by a professional. I called USCIS about this before we sent our packet and they told us he could do it himself as long as he is certified to speak fluent English. Being certified pretty much means being fluent and able to understand the translation. So as long as you spouse can translate it they can do it themselves without paying for a professional.

Diana

[Bosco 1]

The previous poster seem to be confusing AOS with visa application -- no embassy is involved.

The translations can be done by anyone capabable, and certified by that individual. Let me look for the wording USCIS wants.

I did my own translation, and had my bi-lingual friend certify them.

No, I don't mean for the visa. We can send my husband's birth certificate to the Moroccan Embassy in the United States and they offer translations for a few dollars and do it very quickly.

[Clownies 2]

of course if you know someone who's fluent enough in English, then he can do the translation. But be aware that translating an official document like birth certificate, bank statement, notary letter, or whatever..., is not that easy. The translation has to reflect the "official language". You can't use everyday english words to translate technical or legal statements.

[Yodrak 7]

Clownies,

Point of clarification - fluency is required to translate speech, but it's of little use for translating documents. That requires literacy.

Yodrak

of course if you know someone who's fluent enough in English, then he can do the translation. But be aware that translating an official document like birth certificate, bank statement, notary letter, or whatever..., is not that easy......

Edited August 15, 2006 by Yodrak

[giannidellavigne 0]

Clownies,

Point of clarification - fluency is required to translate speech, but it's of little use for translating documents. That requires literacy.

Yodrak

of course if you know someone who's fluent enough in English, then he can do the translation. But be aware that translating an official document like birth certificate, bank statement, notary letter, or whatever..., is not that easy......

Thanks, everyone for all your responses. You saved me some money!

John