Translated documents?

[VirginiaMaria 3]

What documents need to be translated? We were thinking his medical history, birth certificate, and criminal record (it's clear) but if we can avoid one or two we'd sure save some money. Thanks everybody!

[KVM 6]

If the documents are in Spanish you don't need to translate them for the K1-Visa process, as the Embassy in Madrid accepts them either in English, or the language spoken in the country where the Embassy is located.

Nevertheless, you'll need your medical/vaccinations records, and birth certificate translated into English later for AOS (when you adjust your status after marriage). However, these translations can be made by any person who certifies that s/he is competent to translate between both languages, i.e., it does not need to be a certified translator, nor a notarized translation.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Mrs.Him

[VirginiaMaria 3]

Thank you for writing me back so quickly. So could I translate the documents? I'm fluent in both languages and actually do that for a living here in Spain. Or since I'm his fiance I can't? Thank you again!

[duraaraa 203]

Thank you for writing me back so quickly. So could I translate the documents? I'm fluent in both languages and actually do that for a living here in Spain. Or since I'm his fiance I can't? Thank you again!

I think that is fine. I am the one translating the documents for my fiancee, and I think that it's quite a common thing to do.

[KVM 6]

Thank you for writing me back so quickly. So could I translate the documents? I'm fluent in both languages and actually do that for a living here in Spain. Or since I'm his fiance I can't? Thank you again!

Yes, you can; as duraaraa said it's a pretty common thing to do. Go ahead and save yourselves some money.

Remember you don't need translations for K1-Visa tho' (if the docs are in English, or Spanish). You'll need them for AOS. I translated my birth certificate and kept myself entertained since I don't have a work permit yet :-)

Edited March 21, 2013 by Mrs.Him

[bluetraveller 4]

these translations can be made by any person who certifies that s/he is competent to translate between both languages, i.e., it does not need to be a certified translator, nor a notarized translation.

Thanks Mrs.Him for being so helpful. I have a related question. How does this person certify that s/he is competent to translate? I mean, I would have no stamp or anything like that. Is there a standard form that one can use to do this?

BTW, first message in these forums. They're so helpful!

[KVM 6]

Thanks Mrs.Him for being so helpful. I have a related question. How does this person certify that s/he is competent to translate? I mean, I would have no stamp or anything like that. Is there a standard form that one can use to do this?

BTW, first message in these forums. They're so helpful!

You're welcome! I'm happy to help.

What the USCIS requires in this case, is that the person declares/certifies that s/he is fluent to translate the document. You don't need to be a professional translator who holds an official title or certification. The ''certification'' is done by attaching a page, where you state that you are competent and truthful, and the translation is accurate. You don't need to notarize it, but to sign it.

In their website they suggest the following paragraph (Copy&Paste, and enter your own data)

http://1.usa.gov/e8ENbe

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

Edited March 26, 2013 by Mrs.Him

[bluetraveller 4]

You're welcome! I'm happy to help.

What the USCIS requires in this case, is that the person declares/certifies that s/he is fluent to translate the document. You don't need to be a professional translator who holds an official title or certification. The ''certification'' is done by attaching a page, where you state that you are competent and truthful, and the translation is accurate. You don't need to notarize it, but to sign it.

In their website they suggest the following paragraph (Copy&Paste, and enter your own data)

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

Thanks again! That's exactly what I needed

[bluetraveller 4]

If the documents are in Spanish you don't need to translate them for the K1-Visa process, as the Embassy in Madrid accepts them either in English, or the language spoken in the country where the Embassy is located.

Nevertheless, you'll need your medical/vaccinations records, and birth certificate translated into English later for AOS (when you adjust your status after marriage). However, these translations can be made by any person who certifies that s/he is competent to translate between both languages, i.e., it does not need to be a certified translator, nor a notarized translation.

Hi Mrs.Him,

I'm opening this thread again to clarify something that will bring reassurance to my case and will probably help others.

When you mention a document such as the birth certificate does not need to be notarized for AOS, do you mean it does not need the Apostille ("Apostilla de la Haya")?

I don't want to be wrong in making that assumption, but this is my understanding, and would like to make sure.

Thanks a lot.

[KVM 6]

Hi Mrs.Him,

I'm opening this thread again to clarify something that will bring reassurance to my case and will probably help others.

When you mention a document such as the birth certificate does not need to be notarized for AOS, do you mean it does not need the Apostille ("Apostilla de la Haya")?

I don't want to be wrong in making that assumption, but this is my understanding, and would like to make sure.

Thanks a lot.

I tell you what I did. I got my Complete Birth Certificate from the Registro Civil before leaving Spain. This is an official copy (stamp, signature, etc). I translated it myself into English and included both, the original and translation in the AOS package. I also attached the "Certification by Translator" filled out and signed by me.

Thus, I did not notarized the translation, just certified it myself. You don't need to "apostillar" the translation, BUT the birth certificate I brought from Spain is the official document as they gave it to me at the Registro Central

Edited June 19, 2013 by Mrs.Him

[bluetraveller 4]

I tell you what I did. I got my Complete Birth Certificate from the Registro Civil before leaving Spain. This is an official copy (stamp, signature, etc). I translated it myself into English and included both, the original and translation in the AOS package. I also attached the "Certification by Translator" filled out and signed by me.

Thus, I did not notarized the translation, just certified it myself. You don't need to "apostillar" the translation, BUT the birth certificate I brought from Spain is the official document as they gave it to me at the Registro Central

I will be doing the same using the same document, the birth certificate I have is the one with stamp, signature, etc. which is an official copy of the corresponding page in the "registro civil" of my city, where everything was written by hand back then. I'm sure we're talking about the same document.

Thanks a lot for your reply.