Translating official documents?

[GilliC]

The notary thing reminded me... What is the process for getting an official translation of something? Marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. Can you just have someone translate it, or do you need some kind of official stamp indicating the translation is correct?

And do you even need one, or can you just send the foreign-language version to people in the US and say "Good luck!"?

What about the embassy? Will they take local-language documentation?

My divorce decree is in Norwegian, and my legal name change statement will be in Norwegian as well. I will need to take them to the embassy to get a new Social Security card and passport.

Some of my US banks asked for a copy of my marriage certificate when I changed my name the first time. I assume they'll want something similar this time. And if I ever decide to remarry, I'm guessing someone will want to see my divorce decree.

[Cheesecake]

I know my dad needed his Dutch divorce decree before getting married and moving to the US and he needed to supply everything translated into english by an official, licennsed translator, with a big fat seal on it (which indicates it being legal like it was notarized).

I know my MIL is an official Italian to NL and vv translator and she has the fancy snazzy seal and all. I think she actually got her official seal/license whatever through the court. Not sure, but I can ask DH tonight.

[Deleted]

My mom needed a a deed document notarized for some sort of land dispute going on with her family. The only problem is that the entire document was in Vietnamese as her family doesn't read English well. She lucked out and found a notary that could read enough Vietnamese to get the gist of the document to notarize it.

I don't know for sure, but it sounds like as long as the person doing the notary gets the general idea and you have a stamp then it's good enough.

[gibbylod]

Normally, you need official translations for documents you are going to present before any sort of government agency.

I'm not sure if your bank would require an official translation, you would have to check with them.

[anna7602]

We had to have everything for our French visas (marriage certificate, birth certificates, college degrees, etc.) translated by an "official" translator, even though I am a translator by profession. I didn't count. It had to be someone with the appropriate certificate or stamp or seal or whatever to be accepted by the French government.

I would call the U.S. embassy to find out.

[allibally]

H translated the stuff we needed for his green card. We just attached a sheet saying he was proficient in English and German to translate.

Call and double check what to do.

[GilliC]

The embassy has a list of names and phone numbers. Ugh. I hate cold calling anyone. Why can't they provide email addresses instead.