Hello mkor,
At the outset, I should emphasize the disclaimer at the bottom of this
page, which indicates that answers and comments on Google Answers are
general information, and not intended to substitute for informed
professional legal advice. If you need professional advice about
immigration law, you should contact a lawyer.
The following FAQ cites two regulations, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(4); 8 CFR
204.1(f), on the subjects of originals and copies of documents:
"How Do I Know If I Need Original Documents?"
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/hdiorig.htm
The links to those two regulations lead to:
"Sec. 103.2 Applications, petitions, and other documents.'
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-9985/slb-11621/slb-11701?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-8cfrsec1032
"Sec. 204.1 General information about immediate relative and
family-sponsored petitions. (Amended 3/26/96; 61 FR 13061)"
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-9985/slb-12552/slb-12582?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-8cfrsec2041
The first of those regulations refers to "an ordinary legible
photocopy." The second refers to "legible, true copies of original
documents."
As to translations, page 1 of the current I-130 instructions states:
"Translations. Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a
full English translation that the translator has certified as complete
and correct, and by the translator's certification that he or she is
competent to translate the foreign language into English."
"I-130, Petition for Alien Relative" (Rev. 06/05/02, Fee Change 01/21/05)
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-130.pdf
8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) -- another subsection of the first regulation cited
above -- says:
"Translations. Any document containing foreign language submitted to
the Service shall be accompanied by a full English language
translation which the translator has certified as complete and
accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is
competent to translate from the foreign language into English."
And 8 CFR 204.1(f)(3) -- in the second regulation cited above -- says:
"Foreign language documents must be accompanied by an English
translation which has been certified by a competent translator."
Only a lawyer, or perhaps U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
can advise you as to whether these regulations support your course of
action.
While it's beyond the scope of your question, I should note that
adjacent subsections of these regulations -- under 8 CFR 103.2(b) and
8 CFR 204.1(f) -- have additional provisions concerning potential
requests for original documents.
Also, you may want to consider the following document. It does not
appear to be accessible from a search on the agency's own website, and
therefore may or may not be current.
"Chapter 11. Evidence"
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/AFMChapter11-Evidence.pdf
- justaskscott
Search strategy:
Browsed USCIS site.
Searched on Google for:
site:uscis.gov "8 CFR 103.2(b)"
site:uscis.gov "8 CFR 204.1(f)" |