K1 Visa and "Official" translations

[Shannon & Ibrahim 15]

Hi all,

 

I received a frustrating email from our translator last night indicating he could not translate the papers because we needed to have an Embassy approved translator. That said, I have not read anything on this particular detail and this now puts us behind on our timeline. I had hoped to submit everything by May 1st (first step in K1). Please help and advise us. Does anyone have the name of an Arabic translator in the DC area?!?!

 

Here is his email:

I'm sorry that you mis-understood me when we met, that it is much better for you to get these docs translated by a translator who is approved by the US Embassy in Morocco. This will facilitate certifications & authentications for using them in Morocco & in the US. They would also be valid to use in courts anywhere. 

[RJandHamid 1,129]

Hello, all of the translators that are approved by the American consulate in Casablanca are in Morocco. Here is a list: https://ma.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/translators/

 

Could your fiancé have the documents translated there and then sent you? May I also ask what documents you need translated for the initial petition? We did not include and translations in our I-129F petition, but I know there will be some needed at the interview stage.

[Possiblymaybe 371]

You don't need to send any translated documents with the initial K1 petition.

The translated documents come into play at the embassy interview appointment.

Edited April 20, 2017 by jenafid

[Laurel0708 21]

I sent the translations, and I recommend doing it. I have talked to one couple that received an RFE for not having the beneficiary's birth certificate translated. Also, you don't need a certified, special translator. I translated the documents myself and had a lawyer who was proficient in both languages notarize ($10) that I am fluent in both languages and capable of making the translation. We never had any problems either with the package or during the interview with these translated copies.

[KimchiLumpia 315]

My fiance recently had her K1 Visa interview in Montreal Canada.  She is originally from Korea, and from many VJ member's recommendations, we had all her Korean documents translated to English using rev.com.   

We took photographs of her Korean documents, emailed them to rev.com, and had the english translations and a document from rev.com certifying their work emailed back the next day.  They were also reasonably priced.

The Montreal embassy accepted all of her translated documents from rev.com and her K1 Visa was approved.  

 https://www.rev.com/certified-translation/arabic

Hope this helps!

Edited April 21, 2017 by KimchiLumpia

[B&Z 201]

No offense to those dealing with Nicaragua and Canada who have answered in this thread, the US Consulate in Morocco requires translations from only the approved translators mentioned in the link that was provided by RJandHamid above. However, jenafid is also correct that the OP should be able to file the initial K1 paperwork with USCIS without any translations needed, and will only need translated documents when it comes time for the interview.

[Shannon & Ibrahim 15]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my frantic post. I went ahead and sent away for a quick and notarized translation. I will advise my fiancé that when it comes to the final interview step he will have to get them re-translated by an official translator n Morocco. Actually, I'll be back in Casablanca in July and can take care of it at them.

[Possiblymaybe 371]

3 hours ago, Shannon & Ibrahim said:

Thank you to everyone who responded to my frantic post. I went ahead and sent away for a quick and notarized translation. I will advise my fiancé that when it comes to the final interview step he will have to get them re-translated by an official translator n Morocco. Actually, I'll be back in Casablanca in July and can take care of it at them.

I'm not sure what the current K1 timelines are like, but Morocco is one of the few places where doing things early might end up costing you energy and money for no reason.

Their birth certificates and other civil documents needed for the immigration process expire in 3 months. 

So translating documents in July could turn out to be pointless if his interview is past October.

I suggest waiting until you have an NOA2 before even ordering the civil documents.

[KimchiLumpia 315]

 

4 hours ago, B&Z said:

No offense to those dealing with Nicaragua and Canada who have answered in this thread, the US Consulate in Morocco requires translations from only the approved translators mentioned in the link that was provided by RJandHamid above. However, jenafid is also correct that the OP should be able to file the initial K1 paperwork with USCIS without any translations needed, and will only need translated documents when it comes time for the interview.

Too bad there is so much disparity when it comes to the K1 Visa process after the NOA2 stage with each country.

Good luck to the OP, and I'm glad you have your questions answered thoroughly!