Interpreter/Preparer

[barashka 97]

Hello, guys!

 

This might be a very silly question, but, regardless, I must ask. My wife is compiling her AOS package at the moment. She arrived here on a K-1 visa. As her spouse, am I allowed to be her interpreter and preparer for her I-485 (due to her poor English). Is it okay for a spouse to interpret and prepare the I-485 for the applicant (in this case, my wife who came here on a K-1)? I was born and raised in the United States to Russian immigrant parents so therefore, I can speak, write, and read in Russian (the same language my wife speaks).

 

Many thanks in advance.

Edited October 15, 2018 by barashka

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

7 minutes ago, barashka said:

Hello, guys!

 

This might be a very silly question, but, regardless, I must ask. My wife is compiling her AOS package at the moment. She arrived here on a K-1 visa. As her spouse, am I allowed to be her interpreter and preparer for her I-485 (due to her poor English). Is it okay for a spouse to interpret and prepare the I-485 for the applicant (in this case, my wife who came here on a K-1)? I was born and raised in the United States to Russian immigrant parents so therefore, I can speak, write, and read in Russian (the same language my wife speaks).

 

Many thanks in advance.

You always put it together and not just put it down as the interpreter or the preparer. I did the same thing for my wife when she came here on her K1 visa with no issues at all. My wife got used to hearing me speak so she could understand and comprehend me but other people with accents used to mess her up alot. So I put together the whole AOS package. 

[barashka 97]

2 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

You always put it together and not just put it down as the interpreter or the preparer. I did the same thing for my wife when she came here on her K1 visa with no issues at all. My wife got used to hearing me speak so she could understand and comprehend me but other people with accents used to mess her up alot. So I put together the whole AOS package. 

Did you put your name down on the I-485 as interpreter and/or preparer?

[SmileyEvil 0]

11 minutes ago, barashka said:

Hello, guys!

 

This might be a very silly question, but, regardless, I must ask. My wife is compiling her AOS package at the moment. She arrived here on a K-1 visa. As her spouse, am I allowed to be her interpreter and preparer for her I-485 (due to her poor English). Is it okay for a spouse to interpret and prepare the I-485 for the applicant (in this case, my wife who came here on a K-1)? I was born and raised in the United States to Russian immigrant parents so therefore, I can speak, write, and read in Russian (the same language my wife speaks).

 

Many thanks in advance.

Hey!

 

Well, if you are proficient, then I do not see a problem.  Do not forget to put Your name in the section where it asks: "Information about the interpreter" and "Information about the translator."  No worries, everything will be good!

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

Just now, barashka said:

Did you put your name down on the I-485 as interpreter and/or preparer?

Nope... Because that is usually referred to as being an actual interpreter or a visa preparer service. 

[barashka 97]

4 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

Nope... Because that is usually referred to as being an actual interpreter or a visa preparer service. 

Ah, interesting. The form itself doesn't really elaborate. It does state these, though:

 

For interpreter:

"I am not an attorney or accredited representative but have prepared this application on behalf of the applicant and with the applicant's consent."

 

And for preparer:

"I certify, under penalty of perjury, that:

I am fluent in English and 'insert language here' , which is the same language specified in Part 10., Item Number 1.b., and I have read to this applicant in the identified language every question and instruction on this application and his or her answer to every question. The applicant informed me that he or she understands every instruction, question, and answer on the application, including the Applicant's Declaration and Certification, and has verified the accuracy of every answer."

 

I figured I could have put my name down for both, no? When did you guys submit her AOS package?

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

3 minutes ago, barashka said:

Ah, interesting. The form itself doesn't really elaborate. It does state these, though:

 

For interpreter:

"I am not an attorney or accredited representative but have prepared this application on behalf of the applicant and with the applicant's consent."

 

And for preparer:

"I certify, under penalty of perjury, that:

I am fluent in English and 'insert language here' , which is the same language specified in Part 10., Item Number 1.b., and I have read to this applicant in the identified language every question and instruction on this application and his or her answer to every question. The applicant informed me that he or she understands every instruction, question, and answer on the application, including the Applicant's Declaration and Certification, and has verified the accuracy of every answer."

 

I figured I could have put my name down for both, no? When did you guys submit her AOS package?

We filed for AOS in 2013.

 

If you feel more comfortable filling out the part of the interpreter/preparer then go ahead and do that. 

[K1visaHopeful 2,655]

8 minutes ago, barashka said:

Ah, interesting. The form itself doesn't really elaborate. It does state these, though:

 

For interpreter:

"I am not an attorney or accredited representative but have prepared this application on behalf of the applicant and with the applicant's consent."

They are referring to a Visa Help service like Rapid Visa etc. Not an individual person.

And for preparer:

"I certify, under penalty of perjury, that:

I am fluent in English and 'insert language here' , which is the same language specified in Part 10., Item Number 1.b., and I have read to this applicant in the identified language every question and instruction on this application and his or her answer to every question. The applicant informed me that he or she understands every instruction, question, and answer on the application, including the Applicant's Declaration and Certification, and has verified the accuracy of every answer."

Same, refers to a paid interpreter.

 

I figured I could have put my name down for both, no?

Nah, I filled out my whole I129f as the beneficiary and I'm doing the whole AOS package including my husband's I864 forms. No need to claim either/any/all of these things.

 When did you guys submit her AOS package? Next week! So yes, I'm current😉

 

Edited October 15, 2018 by K1visaHopeful

[barashka 97]

My wife doesn't speak or understand English. Will it be okay for her to check the box that states: "I can read and understand English, and I have read and understand every question and instruction on this affidavit and my answer to every question."? I am just a bit worried because it would technically be false if she checked that box, you know what I mean? This is why I made myself the interpreter and the preparer. But, its seems those two things are only for paid people? Sorry if I am being confusing, aha.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,364]

13 hours ago, barashka said:

My wife doesn't speak or understand English. Will it be okay for her to check the box that states: "I can read and understand English, and I have read and understand every question and instruction on this affidavit and my answer to every question."? I am just a bit worried because it would technically be false if she checked that box, you know what I mean? This is why I made myself the interpreter and the preparer. But, its seems those two things are only for paid people? Sorry if I am being confusing, aha.

No, I would not check that box. It's OK to list yourself as interpreter and preparer.

[Umka36 781]

I prepared my wife's I-485 and signed as the preparer.

 

OP, my wife also didn't speak/read English as well when she first got here (well very basic). I recommend taking the free/reduced ESL courses at a local community college. By the time my wife's AOS interview came up, she was able to do the interview in English (just to add we had a stoke interview). It really doesn't matter, but my wife also speaks Russian.

[barashka 97]

2 minutes ago, Umka36 said:

I prepared my wife's I-485 and signed as the preparer.

 

OP, my wife also didn't speak/read English as well when she first got here (well very basic). I recommend taking the free/reduced ESL courses at a local community college. By the time my wife's AOS interview came up, she was able to do the interview in English (just to add we had a stoke interview). It really doesn't matter, but my wife also speaks Russian.

Did you sign only as the preparer or as both the interpreter and preparer? She didn't check the box that says she was fluent in English and that she was able to read and understand each question, did she? I am happy to hear about your interview! I was born here but since I speak Russian (thanks to my parents), it makes life much easier for my wife, ahaha!

[Umka36 781]

Just the preparer and box 1.b. that I explained to her all the questions. My wife know more English than I do Russian. Sometimes it's better that I don't know what she is saying to me, and as our sons get older they can tell dad what mom said is my excuse.

 

As I mentioned earlier we had a stokes interview, so not the norm. Most couples are interviewed together the entire time, we were separated. They interviewed me first, and then my wife to compare our answers. Questions like about my family: where my parents/sibling lives, what I do, and etc. Then the IO brought us together to finalize the interview with additional questions. I didn't find the interview that difficult as we know each other, and didn't study up on questions.

 

I cannot say with 100% certainty on why they did a stokes interview, but it's probably because we are not the typical couple (I'm an Asian male and my wife's Belarussian). That's just my take, so I could be totally wrong but do understand if that's the reason. Even now after over 7 years married with 2 sons, we are sometime not seen as husband/wife when waiting in line.

[implife 318]

7 hours ago, barashka said:

Did you sign only as the preparer or as both the interpreter and preparer? She didn't check the box that says she was fluent in English and that she was able to read and understand each question, did she? I am happy to hear about your interview! I was born here but since I speak Russian (thanks to my parents), it makes life much easier for my wife, ahaha!

FWIW, I signed as both preparer and interpreter. We'll see what happens.

[barashka 97]

11 hours ago, implife said:

FWIW, I signed as both preparer and interpreter. We'll see what happens.

If your spouse doesn't speak English, I feel like that is the right thing to do. I know people are saying that those two things refer to professional services but, I just don't feel right having my wife check off the box that states she speaks and understands English and that understood every question on this form, et cetera.