Notarized vs. Certified

[lucho562 0]

Whats the difference?

[kitkat1 5]

Whats the difference?

Notarizing certifies the validity of a signature on a document - nothing more.

Certifiying confirms formally that the document is true and accurate.

[lucho562 0]

Thank you,

Does that make certifying better than notarizing??

Lets say I certify my I-134. Does certifying include notarizing the signature?

[kitkat1 5]

Thank you,

Does that make certifying better than notarizing??

Lets say I certify my I-134. Does certifying include notarizing the signature?

I doubt it would be possible to get your I-134 certified - who would be able to confirm that all of the information is accurate and true? Certification refers to things like birth certificates, marriage certificate, etc. Certified copies are for individual items and when they are required it's because that's the only way to prove they are truthful and accurate.

The requirements for the I-134 are only to notarize - no reason to do anything more.

[Lace 0]

I had the same question. They may help.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;#entry758001

[jediknight 0]

kitkat is right. certified applies to documents where the originals are not available and you have to get certified copies saying they are true, faithful, and accurate copy of the original, with seals, stamps, signatures from the issuing agency. the i 134 is something you are filling out, not some gov't agency, so notarizing it with your signature basically says that you are responsible for the accuracy of the information filled out on the form and to confirm that is your signature and you are the one signing it. this is why you'll have to show id to the notary.

JK

Edited May 22, 2007 by jediknight

[bora bora 1]

The I-134 has to be notarized.

[phila 0]

hmm... I thought "certified" referred to a certified translator. For example, we had to have birth certificates, police records (from Turkish to English) translated, by a registered "certified" translator. I understood certified to verify that the person translating the documents was a professional recognized with a license to translate properly.

We also had our documents additionally "notarized". (Often the certified translator is also registerd as a notary). This seal states that you did indeed sign infront of a "notarized witness" - and that noone else filed the forms.

I could be wrong, but I think both certified and notarized are important.

Good luck

p.s.- I do err on the side of ultra cautious in this process, so this info might not be valid

[lucho562 0]

Thanks for the clarification

[kitkat1 5]

hmm... I thought "certified" referred to a certified translator. For example, we had to have birth certificates, police records (from Turkish to English) translated, by a registered "certified" translator. I understood certified to verify that the person translating the documents was a professional recognized with a license to translate properly.

We also had our documents additionally "notarized". (Often the certified translator is also registerd as a notary). This seal states that you did indeed sign infront of a "notarized witness" - and that noone else filed the forms.

I could be wrong, but I think both certified and notarized are important.

Good luck

p.s.- I do err on the side of ultra cautious in this process, so this info might not be valid

Translated documents don't need to be certified -- there isn't a certifying organization for translators. The translator needs to "certify" -- meaning confirm -- that the translation itself is accurate. That's why it's recommended that each translated document has:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and xxx languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled Birth Certificate of xxx

Notarizing simply proves that the signature is truly that of the person who signs it. Like jediknight said, when your signature is notarized, you are responsible for the accuracy of the information and therefore confirming that it's accurate (hopefully!).