carmen blue

We just realised that my husband's German police cert of good conduct needs to be translated. We don't have an interview date yet in London but expect it imminently. We're in Ireland staying with family. I'm assuming we can find a translator here and get it notarised here. But does anyone see any issues with that? The fact that it won't be notarised in the UK, but in the Republic of Ireland? Also, am I correct in saying that the translator must sign a statment in front of a notary stating that the translation is correct? Thanks!

ian-mstm

Anyone - anyone at all - who is competent to translate German to English can do the translation. If your husband speaks German, he can do it. The "magic language" is the legal equivalent to notarization under US law, so it doesn't matter where the translation is done. If the "magic language" is used, the translator doesn't need to sign anything in front of a notary.

This is the magic language:

"I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [date] by [signature]."

Ian

carmen blue

Thanks. It's not that I don't believe you, but if we don't get the statement sworn before a notary public, then it seems we are ignoring the last sentence that the embassy says below. Is the 'magic language' DEFINITELY the legal equivalent to notarization in the US? Will the person interviewing my husband know that??? If we can do it ourselves, it would save us a lot of time and money because, yes, my husband can translate it himself. Has anyone actually done this???


From US embassy website:
Translations: All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that state that the translation is accurate, and sworn to before a Notary Public.

ian-mstm

Yes, it is.


He may... he may not. However, I can assure you that his supervisor will know the law. Don't confuse what's on the website with what the law says.


Yes, many have.

Ian

carmen blue

Thanks again, Ian. I really do want to trust that this would work, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's actually done it. Anyone?

ian-mstm

No worries, but I can assure you that the magic language is the legal equivalent of a notarised jurat.

Ian

Noorah101

Throughout my husband's immigration journey, I've done both. I used a professional translation service at the beginning, but then I also translated some documents myself later on, using the "magic language". Both were acceptable to USCIS.

Rene

meauxna

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...38&postcount=4

katq

I am really hoping this is true...I have been having the same dilemma, translating and notarising is so expensive! If I have to use a translation agency for all of that it will cost me around 300 pounds for two documents(
I have also called the embassy and they gave me a reference to email them and asked them for some alternatives, will see what they reply...

ian-mstm

Unless they agree with what we've been saying here about the "magic language", you can safely ignore whatever the Embassy tells you. They either know the law (in which case they agree with us) or they don't. Also, as stated previously, anyone who is competent to translate can do so.

Ian

katq

I haven't received a reply yet, but I just found another link on their website that doesn't say the translations must be notarised at all:

http://london.usembassy.gov/docs169.html

the text is at the very bottom...I can print this out and use it in my defence anyways

C_C

Let us know what the Embassy says when they respond.

I'm interested because I have the same dilemma

katq

They don't seem to be in a real hurry to reply to me, but I will let you know once they've replied) It's been just over one week now...

meauxna

Exactly! This is the language that has been the norm since I started on this... 8 years ago.

# Translations - All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations into English. Translations must be in single copy and certified by a qualified independent translator that the translation is accurate.



Your translator 'certifies' it when they affix the magic language!

This month seems to be the 'how difficult can I make my case' month.

Big V

Carmen Blue, may I ask you what you ended up doing reg, the translation and notarisation?
Thanks