Finding a reputable translator for legal documents

rjstuff says on Nov 28, 2005, 08:59:

Where are you located? Most good sized towns will have community colleges etc. where a teacher/staff member can do an official translation and then you can have them notarized. If you do not live in a good sized town then you need to find the nearest big town and find some contacts (you could try contacting the colleges in the nearby town through the internet.) Good luck

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ElCheAmericano says on Nov 28, 2005, 09:25:

Try Docurapid They are an agency in Miami that can notarized, apostille and translate your documents for about $37.50 each document. There number is 786-552-5011. I recently dealt with them and the colombian consulate also recomends them.

Good Luck.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aaronfromus says on Nov 28, 2005, 10:45:

I'm not in Colombia now... I'm still in the States, Michigan to be exact. I was hoping to be able to get all my paperwork squared away before going there for Navidad y Ano Nuevo. I hadn't thought of getting my things translated in Bogota after I arrive, also, my novia isn't very familiar with Bogota. But, I'm curious GIB. Can you give me the scoop on translations in Bogota?

Thanks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Nov 28, 2005, 11:32:

What are the documents for? Because I'll tell you something, if they're for visas, the application just says a competent person has to translate them. That could be you. I translated all my girlfriends stuff from Spanish to English, signed it attesting that it was a true and accurate translation, and that was it. We were never asked a single question about it. A lot of people pay hundreds of dollars to have docs translated in some pro's office; I still don't understand why.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tomtom33 says on Nov 28, 2005, 13:46:

Chicago would probably be closest. Look in the yellow pages.

They are not supposed to give you an official translation before they examine the original documents. I have faxed things to Chicago, but I had to pick the transaltion up in person so they could examine the originals. I suppose I could have mailed the originals.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aaronfromus says on Nov 28, 2005, 14:08:

The documents are for... for a civil wedding.

Really cam0940? If the documents were for a visa the translation could be done by any competetent person? That's really good to know.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Nov 28, 2005, 14:15:

If you can manage it, getting them translated in Colombia is a lot cheaper than getting them translated here.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aaronfromus says on Nov 28, 2005, 14:26:

Translations in Colombia... Could someone tell me little about getting the documents translated in Colombia? Like, what might be the cost difference? Are there only certain translators that are ok? Does it take a long time to get it done (ie. are we talking weeks)? It would really "stink" to finally be getting my translations in hand as I'm boarding my return flight.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aaronfromus says on Nov 28, 2005, 14:29:

And.. what's up with the Marriage Visa? ... I've seen some people talking about it being necessary in order to get married in Colombia, but I've also been hearing that it is not required anymore. I'm a bit confused, but I'd really like to know if I need one or not.

Thanks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Nov 28, 2005, 17:25:

Yes, the Colombian marriage visa is a thing of the past. The embassy web site has a list of offical translators. we used one of them in Medellin: http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwstrns.shtml

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Nov 28, 2005, 18:02:

Aaron, I asked what the application was for because Page 1, Section 2, Paragraph D of the I-129F says:

"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."

That's it. Verbatim. So that's what I did. I don't know if that applies to you, I don't know if that helps you, I just wanted to ask what sorts of papers you were filing.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Nov 29, 2005, 08:56:

Good point. That's why I was asking what it was for. He has clarified that and so my posts don't really apply to him.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tomtom33 says on Nov 30, 2005, 05:26:

Visa docs My law firm in Bogota does not agree with your interpretation, Cam. They advised me that documents used to obtain the Rentista VISA must be translated by an official translator. The Department of Spanish and Portugese at the University of Wisconsin has no official translators.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aaronfromus says on Nov 30, 2005, 07:43:

So I could.... seek out a Spanish department at a local college (thanks rjstuff), go through an established company (like Docurapid, thanks ElChe), or get the translations done by a notary in Colombia (thanks GIB and UP).

It's a bit inconvenient for me to go the local college route, so I'm looking at either using Docurapid or getting the translations done in Colombia.

So, last night, I got my certified letter of non-marriage, divorce judgment, and birth certificate, got them apostilled and then called Docurapid and faxed them my documents. I'm curious to see how much they charge. I'd like to compare that to how much I'd be paying in Colombia.

Also, hahahahah on a side note. For those of you who are interested. Be sure to only get your documents apostillied after you already have extra copies for copying or faxing. The apostille is going to get in the way............ to say the least. Hahahaha.

UP, thanks for the website and the clarification on the marriage visa.

Also, thanks Cam and tomtom for the I-129F translation info. Although now, I'm not too sure who is right.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Nov 30, 2005, 12:32:

Well, tomtom33's lawyers in Bogota are telling you their interpretation of the Rentista VISA instructions which may be 100% accurate. In NO WAY do I claim to know better than they do.

What I gave you from the instructions from the I-129F is 100% verbatim as well. Not only that, I JUST DID it this way, no questions asked.

So again, I think maybe what I was doing, what you may be doing, and what tomtom is talking about may be 3 separate things altogether.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tomtom33 says on Dec 1, 2005, 03:22:

Apostille in Wisconsin You get a separate sheet of paper that you have to staple to the original and the notary. All the apostille does, I think, is to verify the notary. Thus, in Wis. anyway, the apostille may not get in the way of copying and/or faxing.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on Dec 3, 2005, 01:18:

You can find a translator through ATA... The American Translators Association certifies qualified translators. Translator certification is directional. There are separate exams for "English to Spanish" and "Spanish to English". Make sure you get someone who has been certified for the direction you need.

You can find a certified translator at this address: http://www.americantranslators.org/tsd_listings/

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

TACTICAL says on Dec 3, 2005, 15:42:

The apostile Regardless of where you get your docs translated, DON'T FORGET about the apostiles

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cdh says on Dec 23, 2005, 11:21:

Docurapid How did it turn out with Docurapid? I gave them call myself
and they want me to fax my stuff but wouldnt talk about the price untill they had the doucments. I am in Illinois now for the holidays
but travel Cartagena middle January.
Thank you for any Info on Docurapid.

CDH

0 funny, 0 helpful.