I-485 supporting birth certificate for Japanese national

[Dyzl 1]

I am a Japanese national applying for marriage based AOS.

 

Japan does not have birth certificate but have family registries. I have a copy and can self translate - however I read that it has to be an official translation/certified... BUT Japan does not provide any of these services. 

 

Should I just self-translate and send it? What are my option?

[risky_fox 8]

There is another thread by Japanese lady who used Universal Translation Services but had negative experience with them - I used them before, the most important is to do proofreading before accepting the translation.

Another (more complicated) way is to ask another Japanese national to go to the notary (bank or wherever) together, your buddy can certify that translation is correct and notary puts their seal. I personally haven't done it this way, more experienced members can say if it works or not.

Best of luck!

Edited December 3, 2019 by risky_fox

[maisfree 12]

It's been a few weeks since the original post, so you might have already found a solution... but I went through a similar issue, so here it is in case it helps. 

 

I (a Japanese national applying for AOS thru marriage) went to a Japanese consulate in my city (Boston, MA) and requested a birth certificate in English. I think you need to fill out a specific request form and bring your recent family registry form along with your passport. The birth certificate that they issue to you is certified with an official seal of Japanese consulate general. Fortunately my case recently got updated to pending scheduling an interview, so it should work. Please check with your nearest Japanese consulate.