Three Simple Steps to Get Your Certified Translation for Immigration Right

Avoid mistakes in translation of your documents for U.S. Immigration

You want to have your documents translated into English and certified for the U.S. Immigration (U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services – USCIS, formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service – INS). You need to know the requirements of the U.S. Immigration to do it right and submit your document on time. Here are some tips to save your time and money:

What is certification?

USCIS states the following requirement in its web site:

  “Documents Not in English:

All documents that are in a language other than English must be submitted with a translation. The person translating the document must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and that he/she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.”

So, the certification is for confirming:

• accuracy and completeness of the translation, and

• competency of the translator.

Who can certify your translation?

The translator or the translation agency prints a statement meeting the requirements of the USCIS on a letterhead. This certification must contain information on the name, address, telephone number, and other relevant data about the translator or the translation agency. The translator or the translation agency carries legal responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the translation. The translator or the translation agency as an impartial third party must be competent to undertake such translation.

How can you find a competent translator or translation agency?

In the age of Internet, many people find language translators by inserting some research terms or keywords to find one. Most people use two keywords such as “translation” and the name of the source (from) language. This results in thousands, if not millions, of listings. You may find dictionaries, directories, and other listings that you need to read one by one to find the right translator. This is not what you want. 

The best way to find translators specializing in “translation of immigration documents” is to add a third search term or keyword of “immigration” after the search words of “translation” and the name of the source language. For instance, for Russian to English translation of your immigration documents you need to use search terms of “translation,russian,immigration” or “russian translation,immigration.” You may use plus (+) sign instead of comma (,). Don’t leave any space between search terms or keywords.

How long does it take to have your translation?

 Completion of your translation may take from two-three days to one week, and even longer depending on the translation agency or the translator. Some translators may have backlogs and may not even want to accept your translation request. You may expect longer time if you have lots of documents or transcripts for translation. Most translators charge extra if you want your translation done within 24 hours.

Don’t ever send original documents by mail!

Sending the originals of your documents by mail is too risky! You may not be able to get the new originals if your documents are lost in the mail. Scan your documents by yourself if you have a scanner or ask one of your friends to do it for you. Office materials stores such as Office Depot®, Staples®, Kinko’s®, UPS® stores can scan your documents professionally. Ask them to send it to your email address.

Once you have the scanned copies of your documents, you may forward the copies to the translator or the translation agency that you decide to work with.

Faxing the copies of your documents is an alternative way if you cannot have your documents scanned. Remember that the faxed copies do not have the quality of scanned copies. First, they will be in black and white. Second, the resolution (readability) of the copies will not be as good as scanned copies.

About the Author: John A. Anderson is the manager for Online Language Translators, a subsidiary of ACR Systems Inc., founded in 1982. Visit http://www.online-languagetranslators.com for his articles on U.S. Immigration and language translation subjects.

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