Translations of civil docs and ciminal record "age"

[Tereza 27]

Hello,

My husband (the petitioner) just paid the NVC fees on Friday and we are waiting to be able to upload all the docs for NVC. I am still quite confused about some things though:

 

1) I am Czech and will be doing interview in Prague, Czech rep.. That would imply I do not need to have my civil documents translated, right? But then on the Prague embassy page of NVC website it states I must bring translations and I have even seen somewhere on the NVC website that it said "notarized" translations, but I can't find that particular page rn to confirm. So which is it lol.

I got both my birth cert. and police record translated, but not "officially" (we have what they call a "judicial translator", but if I want their signature to my translations that's another fee...

Should I upload the originals' scans and then bring the translation to the interview in Prague maybe? There arent very many people from CZ here, so it's hard to find people who have got some experience there

 

2) How old can the police records be? I had mine done on March 29 as I was leaving to the US for 2 months to be with my husband and wanted to have it ready in case we got approved by uscis (that was quite naive in retrospect).

I found information saying they should be valid for 2 years, but I also found information saying they are only valid for 6 months, making submitting a March record quite risky. Getting a new one isnt a problem, but if I need another translation, that's yet another fee. Obviously Ill get it if it's neccesarry, but if the 2 year rule applies it's a waste of money

 

Thank you!

[Verrou 1,962]

1. general thumb i always bring english translation that's notarized for all document thats not in english for consulate purposes ( im not from CZ by the way)

2. usually it's valid for 6 months, but other people can comment on this matter. 

[Pat2021 43]

1) As far as I'm aware, and from what I've seen online, most embassies do not require notarization of translations, just a certification of the translator. See here:

Of course it could be more strict for some embassies, not sure about the one in Prague.

 

2) Country of residence: 2 year validity. Other countries don't expire unless you return there:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-7-collect-civil-documents.html

[Tereza 27]

14 minutes ago, Pat2021 said:

1) As far as I'm aware, and from what I've seen online, most embassies do not require notarization of translations, just a certification of the translator. See here:

Of course it could be more strict for some embassies, not sure about the one in Prague.

 

2) Country of residence: 2 year validity. Other countries don't expire unless you return there:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-7-collect-civil-documents.html

 

I just noticed the 2 year comment As for the translations, since Im fluent in English and Czech is my native language, can I just certify it myself? Its so confusing when one person says you need certified and notarized and idk what else and then you look elsewhere and it's "just translate it" 

[Pat2021 43]

1 minute ago, Tereza said:

 

I just noticed the 2 year comment As for the translations, since Im fluent in English and Czech is my native language, can I just certify it myself? Its so confusing when one person says you need certified and notarized and idk what else and then you look elsewhere and it's "just translate it" 

Not sure.

I've seen people successfully self-certify, but for adjustment of status in the US. I think / feel like embassies have a different burden of proof.

For the US embassy in London, on the website they ask for an "official" translation, so I just went and used an online service that does documents for USCIS.

I'm still at NVC stage, hopefully they'll accept it without an issue.

[Verrou 1,962]

for AOS ( inside US) its ok to translate it without specialized translator.

for my home country consulate, i know they are super strict and asked for authorized translator

i wont take a chance for that, u want to avoid delay or RFE