A marriage certificate translation is most likely to be needed if a visa application for a spouse is made to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (U.S.C.I.S.). There may be other reasons why a translation of this type is requested, but this is the most common. If a marriage certificate translation is needed, it is unlikely to be the only translation required. Typically, other documents that must be submitted at the same time are:
- Birth certificates
- Medical records
- Police checks or certificates
- Educational, trade or professional qualifications
- Transcripts of degrees, diplomas and educational certificates
- Employment records
- Character statements or testimonials.
These are mostly legal documents that must be translated as accurately as possible. They are unlike other types of translation where there is a certain amount of latitude available for the translator to change either the wording or the meaning so that it flows better. Government agencies like the U.S.C.I.S. are quick to notice that there is a discrepancy between an original marriage certificate and a translated one and will simply return the translated version if it is not acceptable.
The high standards set by government agencies like the U.S.C.I.S. mean that it is best to leave a marriage certificate translation to a professional translator or translation agency.
Who is able to perform a marriage certificate translation?
Theoretically, anyone can carry out a translation, even if it is for an official department. The stipulation is that the translation is accurate, not that it is carried out by someone with particular qualifications.
However, official documents cannot be translated by anyone who is applying for a visa or for citizenship themselves. In other words, even if you are completely fluent in English and Polish (to take an example at random) and you are applying for a visa for employment purposes in the U.S. you cannot translate your own documents from Polish to English. In fact, no-one at the place that wants to employ you can do the translating either. The translation must be done by a third party and in the case of official documents must be certified by the translator to confirm that they are exact copies of the original.
The detail must be included in the marriage certificate translation
Many legal documents like birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates have their own unique marks and stamps. One of the other requirements made by the U.S.C.I.S. and other government departments is that everything on the certificate must be translated. That includes
- Seals
- Watermarks
- Stamps
- The format of the certificate
What if part of the certificate is illegible?
If there are any words missing, smudges, stains or other blemishes on the certificate, this must be clearly marked on the translation by the translator. If at all possible, it is best to obtain a copy of the original certificate from your own country before submitting the document for translation.
Professional translators make the best choice
It makes sense to choose a professional marriage certificate translation agency like Cinch Translations. That way, you can feel relaxed that your translated certificates will never be returned by the U.S.C.I.S. or any other organization or agency. Our translators can translate up to 90 different languages between them, so can handle any official document translation you need carried out.
