Translation of US Visa Documents

When you apply for a US visa certain documents will need to be translated from Thai to English. The documents needing translation would have to translated later and certified for USCIS. Those who are apply for a K-3 visa, CR-1 visa or IR-1 visa will need their marriage certificate translated and certified. There are many other documents that we will look at. The K-1 fiancée visa does not need that as they are not married, yet. Speak to our Thai immigration lawyers about this. Likewise see also the birth certificate translation in Thailand as well as MFA translations.

When you translate the marriage certificate, the following will need to be translated. Firstly the name, middle name and surnames on the marriage certificate must be translated. This is for both parties that are married.

Secondly you will need to ensure that the date of the marriage is also translated. For the US this is normally done as month/day/year in the US format. The location of the marriage registration also needs to be translated. This would by the district, province of the Amphur office where the marriage was registered. Lastly see also the article we wrote which we called the family lawyer in Bangkok as well.

Thirdly if the marriage certificate has a unique number then this will need to be included in the translation. The names and surnames of the witnesses also need to be added in the translation. The names of the officials on the documents also need to be translated. You will note that in Thailand the marriage certificate has a two page documents and a diploma type version of the certificate. Lastly any signatures also need to be noted as well as any official seal or government seal.

Fourthly the titles and annotations also need to be noted. Example “Marriage Certificate,” or the “Registry Office,” needs to be noted in the translation. Any other information also needs to be noted such as previously divorced.

Lastly you will need to also ensure that the translator is identified. Likewise it will need a certification statement from the translator. If this is not completed as, I [Translator’s Name], hereby certify…” as well as identify the translators address then the document will be rejected. This is a very common issue with a visa rejection and you will either get a Notice for Further Evidence or you would need to apply for an appeal. Either way it is costly and time consuming.

Much like the Marriage certificate in Thailand. The birth certificate is needed by the K-1, K-2, CR1, as well as the IR1 visa application. Note that the birth certificate of both the petitioner (U.S. citizen) as well as the beneficiary (Thai fiancé, spouse, or child) must be translated into English if it is in Thai or another foreign language. Lets view a breakdown of this translation in Thailand.

Firstly you will need to ensure that the names are translated. The name, middle name and surname. This must be exactly as it was on the original document. Likewise the date of birth must be translated into the U.S. date format (month/day/year). The city, district, province, and country also needs to be translated. She might have been born in a smaller town outside of a larger town. The Amphur covers a region with many smaller towns.

The names and surnames of the mother and father on the birth certificate also needs to be translated if it is on the certificate. This as well as the registration number if the birth certificate came with one. Lastly the authority who issues the birth certificate also needs to be translated. The signatures of witness if there is any or signatures such as the registrar also needs to be noted. Any amendments or seals will also need to be translated.

Much like the marriage certificate above the documents will need to be certified. Should they not be certificated then the documents will be rejected. The certification would normally read as I, [Translator’s Name], hereby certify. You don’t want a delays because the translator did not certify the documents. The RFE adds delays to the visa process. Lastly also see the notary public in Bangkok article which we also wrote about.

If your spouse was married or your fiancée was married that you will need her divorce decree translated and certified. Note that is there is an agreement of child custody then is also needed. See the article that we wrote on the K2 visa and child custody. Have the divorce decree translated and certified. Much like above this needs to have the translator certify the documents. Lastly see the article we wrote called Thailand divorce lawyer which may add some value.

Very important is the translation and certification of the custody agreement. This is mainly for the K-2 visa, K-4 visa as well as the CR-2 visa and IR-2 visa. There will need to be a custody agreement or consent form from the other parent to take the child or children to the United States. These need to be in the English language. See the other issues under the article that we wrote on the translating legal wording. Lastly is the is the need for a death certificate then this needs to be obtained and translated and certified as well. Lastly also see the article that we wrote on child abduction in Thailand as well as the Hague Convention on Child Abduction as well.

If any of the children are adopted,. You will need to have the documents translated and certified. These are usually extensive documents so ensure that this is done correctly. If your wife adopted the child alone then you will not have much issues. If she is divorced and they adopted the child together. Then it becomes complicated and you will need to see the divorce decree and child custody agreement if there is one.

This is one of the major failures with the K1 visa. There is simply not enough documents to prove a legitimate relationship. Ensure that you have photos with dates as well as emails to prove the relationship. Likewise any of the documents in Thai or another language outside of English needs to be translated as well as certified. Most documents in Thailand tend to be in English. The communication between people tend to be in English.