Confusion about wording in guide for Latin America: 'copies' vs 'photocopies'

[muchacha]

Hi all,

I am confused about some of the wording in the instructions. Our marriage certificate and my husband's birth certificate are both in Spanish, so my understanding was that we needed to include certified photocopies along with the translations (as stated in the immigrant's guide).

However, in the country specific guide (for Latin America), it also says to send photocopies, but then it says "Birth and marriage certificates must be Government-certified true copies (copies certified as authentic by the issuing governmental authority, signed and sealed)."

For this reason we obtained 2 original signed, sealed and authenticated copies of both the marriage and birth certificates.

Can I simply include one of the 2 originals that we have, or should we send certified photocopies of the government-certified originals (in which case there would just be copies of the official seal/signature)? (Does that sentence make any sense? Sorry if this is confusing...!)

 

[ccunnington]

I'm sponsoring my Colombian wife, and what we did was get a copy (certified true copy) of our marriage certificate, (there was actually 2, the marriage certificate and the contract) from the notaria. Here, there is only the one original copy which stays on file at the notaria office. Copies we obtain from them are certified true copies. Then we had these 2 documents translated with an affidavit attached, which were then notarized. As far as i'm concerned, you just need to send either the original or a certified true copy...you don't need 2 copies of everything. This worked fine for us. We've already been approved for step 1. hope this helps

 

[KJG]

Hi all,

I am confused about some of the wording in the instructions. Our marriage certificate and my husband's birth certificate are both in Spanish, so my understanding was that we needed to include certified photocopies along with the translations (as stated in the immigrant's guide).

However, in the country specific guide (for Latin America), it also says to send photocopies, but then it says "Birth and marriage certificates must be Government-certified true copies (copies certified as authentic by the issuing governmental authority, signed and sealed)."

For this reason we obtained 2 original signed, sealed and authenticated copies of both the marriage and birth certificates.

Can I simply include one of the 2 originals that we have, or should we send certified photocopies of the government-certified originals (in which case there would just be copies of the official seal/signature)? (Does that sentence make any sense? Sorry if this is confusing...!)

you can just send one original certified copy together with the english translated copy that has been translated by a certified translator....keep the other certified copy for your records

 

[muchacha]

Great! Thanks for your help. We will send one of our original copies then of the birth cert and marriage cert along with certified translations.

Next step.... finding a translator!

 

[KJG]

Great! Thanks for your help. We will send one of our original copies then of the birth cert and marriage cert along with certified translations.

Next step.... finding a translator!

contact your local court office they should have a list of certified translators!!!

 

[ccunnington]

contact your local court office they should have a list of certified translators!!!

It's my understanding that only the police certificate requires a certified translator. Any other documents can be translated by non-certified translators as long as an affidavit is sworn with the translation. This is what we did, and they haven't indicated a problem with it. Perhaps you should check to verfiy if you need a certified translator for all documents.

 

[KJG]

It's my understanding that only the police certificate requires a certified translator. Any other documents can be translated by non-certified translators as long as an affidavit is sworn with the translation. This is what we did, and they haven't indicated a problem with it. Perhaps you should check to verfiy if you need a certified translator for all documents.

you may be right...but it was my understanding that all documents in spanish need to be translated by a certified translator......anyway that is what I did.....marriage certificate, police report, and long form birth certificate....my husband's national indentity card was obviously photocopied so that was translated as well and a commissioner of oaths attested to the fact that they seen the original.....

 

[muchacha]

Thank you both! We will try to find a certified translator... I will call the courts as you've suggested.

Did either of you take the translations to the Canadian Consulate to be notarized? Is this necessary?

 

[shuster2210]

No a certified translator will include a notarized affidavit and that is sufficient. No need for anything else.

 

[shuster2210]

If you are in the Toronto area, i recommend Federico Hernandez
#2 college street Toronto
(416) 458-8701

He is a notary and certified translator, very quick and thorough. Good prices as well

 

[muchacha]

Actually we are both in Nicaragua - which is why it has been difficult finding a certified translator.

Any suggestions?

 

[shuster2210]

Contact the Canadian or American embassy in Nicaragua for recommendations of translators, or an ESL school may have contacts

 

[muchacha]

Good advice! The American embassy has a list of translators on their website - we'll likely go with one of those.

Thanks for all the help.