If you possess a birth certificate or a marriage certificate or any other document that is considered legal such as a diploma, degree or certificate you will need a legal document translation of these documents for immigration purposes if they are not written in English. This is a requirement by the U.S.C.I.S. which is the government body assigned the job of approving immigration applicants who wish to work and live in the United States.
You as the beneficiary are not permitted to undertake the translation nor is your petitioner who has asked you to come and work in the country. Any legal document translation must be undertaken by someone who is prepared to sign a certificate indicating he or she is qualified to provide an accurate translation. Each document has to be translated word for word and at the end of each translation the translator must use the format below.
I, <translator’s name>, certify that I am fluent in English and <2nd language’s name> and I have the competency to undertake the translation and the translation above is an accurate and complete translation of the legal document with the title <document title>.
Signature:
Date: Name: Address:
Summary:
Hints
- For all documents not written in English, a translation in English is mandatory with the only exception being your passport.
- The document has to be translated completely which includes any signatures, seals, dashes, stamps etc. If there is anything on the original document that is unclear the words ‘not legible’ should be inserted in that position on the translated document.
- The translation is required to be identical in format to the visual image on the document. e.g., an official seal has to appear in precisely the same place on the translated document as can be seen on the original.
- Despite the fact that you are not allowed to conduct your own legal document translation for immigration purpose in the U.S. you can check it for accuracy which will give you the peace of mind that your translations won’t be rejected by the U.S.C.I.S.
- You are not required by the U.S.C.I.S. to use a professional translator. However, as the translation has to be accurate, getting a legal document translation service to complete your translations will save you time and money in the long term.
- If the legal document translation document is being submitted to the U.S.C.I.S. it is not necessary to get any of the translations notarized but if they are to be submitted to a U.S. embassy or consulate notarization is necessary.
