notarized / certified translation ?

[phila 0]

We were hoping to send the K-1 packet out next week.

Omer's completed the G325A (all 4). Has several color passport photos.

And has written 2 letters. (One letter of intent, one letter describing of our 2 times together over the past 7 months) .

He just phoned me from Istanbul after he took his 2 letters to an "official translator's office" . The cost they quoted him was nearly $800.00 USD for tranlations into English (with certified translator's seal), and the notary fee for each letter. The fee may have been high because I asked him to get 2 copies of each notarized so we would have "a back up set" in case something got lost.

I thought it might cost 5-10$ USD for each letter, but $800.00?

Do we have other options?

He could write it in bad English, or he could have written it, and I fixed it, but I thought that might be dicey, as all need to be in his words. We have a friend who helps us translate, and he is very good- but he is not "certified". I would hate to get to the interview and have the interviewer see his English wasn't as good as the letters, and call them fraudulent. Or, could he just take the letters in English and Turkish, and get a notary seel?

I am desperate for any advice anyone has.

Thank you in advance,

Christine

[payxibka 10,044]

Certified translations are not required. Keep looking for cheaper (better) alternatives. The translator needs to be competent in both languages and needs to sign a statement acknowledging his/her competency.

[phila 0]

Do you think he could take the letters in Turkish/ in English/ with a letter from a translator to a notary and get it notarized?

Our translator is just a friend who speaks English and Turkish well- he has had no formal training.

thanks

[payxibka 10,044]

Do you think he could take the letters in Turkish/ in English/ with a letter from a translator to a notary and get it notarized?

Our translator is just a friend who speaks English and Turkish well- he has had no formal training.

thanks

Notarization does not do anything to "validate" the quality of the translation, so it is virtually useless in this situation. If your friend is "competent" in both languages then he can do it. He will need to sign a statement attesting to his competency.

[ManuNSam 1]

I think the person in Turkey just thought he could give you a high quote ont he translation because he knew it was for immigration purposes. my husband had the same issue in India - they tried to charge him outragous fees. He had to negotiate the cost.

i also agree that your friend can do it and just get the document notarized.

sam

[Keisha 0]

I had the same problem, agencies quoted hundreds of dollars. I finally found a private certified translator via a forum and he charged me $15 for each document.

Also, a friend of mine translated my son's birth certificate and signed a statement that he is fluent in both English and Russian, put his address, signature, etc.

CERTIFICATION BY TRANSLATOR

I _____________________________________ do hereby certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and the ____________ languages, and that the attached document entitled ______________________________________

is a complete and accurate translation of the original.

__________________________ ____________________________ _________

Printed Name Signature Date

Address

[rebex05 1]

I had a friend translate e-mails and sign the statement saying she is fluent (conversant) in both languages. I did a similar thing for brith certificates and other foreign documents. You do not need to spend that much for translation. Even if you were to get it done here by an official translator it would not cost you $800. Best of luck!

[rebex05 1]

You should be just fine...

Edited February 20, 2007 by rebex05

[phila 0]

You should be just fine...

Well thank you so much! With some haggling OMer got the price down to approximately $100.00 USD, and even that is outrageous!

If he takes it to a regular translator- he should be able to do it for under $20.00 USD, and then the notary shouldn't be that much more.

You all have been so helpful! Uggh, to think this is only the beginning!

[payxibka 10,044]

You should be just fine...

Well thank you so much! With some haggling OMer got the price down to approximately $100.00 USD, and even that is outrageous!

If he takes it to a regular translator- he should be able to do it for under $20.00 USD, and then the notary shouldn't be that much more.

You all have been so helpful! Uggh, to think this is only the beginning!

Spend the money if you want but, notary not required.

[wendya 0]

You should be just fine...

Well thank you so much! With some haggling OMer got the price down to approximately $100.00 USD, and even that is outrageous!

If he takes it to a regular translator- he should be able to do it for under $20.00 USD, and then the notary shouldn't be that much more.

You all have been so helpful! Uggh, to think this is only the beginning!

Hi Christine,

Yilmaz went to a translator and was originally quoted $250 but went somewhere else and paid $ 80. I told him he did not have to do this as his brother-in-law is fluent in English, but he said he would feel better doing it this way, so I let him go.

Good Luck!!

[phila 0]

You should be just fine...

Well thank you so much! With some haggling OMer got the price down to approximately $100.00 USD, and even that is outrageous!

If he takes it to a regular translator- he should be able to do it for under $20.00 USD, and then the notary shouldn't be that much more.

You all have been so helpful! Uggh, to think this is only the beginning!

Hi Christine,

Yilmaz went to a translator and was originally quoted $250 but went somewhere else and paid $ 80. I told him he did not have to do this as his brother-in-law is fluent in English, but he said he would feel better doing it this way, so I let him go.

Good Luck!!

Well,

I just spoke with Omer and he ended up paying about $80.00 USD as well. He also suggested that this process is ridiculous, and why don't I just come to Turkey and get married there and live happily ever after. Oh- if it were only so simple...

[wendya 0]

Yilmaz feels the same way!!!! and let me tell you, I think I might be leaning in that direction, time will tell.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I wished I was this lucky in finding a translator. But, the US Embassy told me that they will only accept documents that has been translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No other bodies may translate the certificate. I ended up paying about 200 dollars.

[Lace 0]

I wished I was this lucky in finding a translator. But, the US Embassy told me that they will only accept documents that has been translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No other bodies may translate the certificate. I ended up paying about 200 dollars.

I'm assuming you meant the US Embassy in Phnom Penh right? I was always under the impression as long as the person doing the translation signs a document they're fluent in Cambodian and English it doesn't matter.

Holly cow. I guess I better have my fiance get her birth certificate translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.