Category: Migration Translators

The Importance of Driver’s License Translation for International Students in Australia

International students are attracted to Australia because of the first-class tertiary courses available. International students in Australia may spend 6 months, a year, or several years in the country and may work part-time to help pay for the cost of accommodation and food. International students will find that Australia is not an easy place to get around by public transport, so after a time will often rent or buy a car to get around. Students in Australia can use their license for a limited period, but must then pass a driving license test and acquire a state or territory driving license.

Why Do International Students Need Driver’s License Translation?

Not all international driving licenses need to be translated, as many students can acquire an international driving license, which is a version of their national driving license, printed in several major languages, including English. If they do not have an English language or international driving license, then Australian laws state that their driving license must be translated into English before it is valid.

Understanding Australian Driving Regulations

Anyone who intends to drive on public roads and highways in Australia must have a valid, current driving license and be over 17 years of age. As long as you have a valid national license of your own, then this can be used for 6 months while in Australia before converting it into a state or territory license. One of the peculiarities of Australia is that each state and territory has slightly different rules about driving and issues different driving licenses. They all permit international visitors, including international students, to drive for 6 months before having to acquire an Australian license.

Necessity of a Valid License for Driving in Australia

It’s wise to take Australian road rules, car roadworthiness, and driving license requirements while in Australia seriously. There are penalties imposed on anyone who disregards road rules, drives or owns an unregistered vehicle, drives a vehicle that is considered ‘unroadworthy,’ or drives without a driving license. Driving without a license includes driving on a foreign driving license that is not in English or an international license after having already lived in Australia for 6 months.

Fines are administered by state and territory transport departments and can be several hundred or more than a thousand dollars, so it is worth knowing the driving rules wherever you are a student in Australia and making sure you are compliant.

Language Barriers Faced by International Students

The nationality of international students in Australia is eclectic. Some use English as a first or second language, while others struggle with English and may even be in Australia to learn better English. It is this latter group who has to be particularly careful if they intend to drive in Australia as they need to understand the driving rules and of course, these are in English!

How to Get Your Driving License Translated

It is easy to get your driver’s license translated into English as several well-reputed translation agencies will do this for you for a small fee. It is important to remember that you must have your driving license translated by a certified translator while in Australia. Getting your friend or relative who speaks good English to translate your license for you won’t be acceptable. It is best to use a translation agency that is accredited by NAATI, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Benefits of a NAATI Driver’s License Translation 

The basic advantage of using a NAATI driver’s license translation is that there is certainty that it will be accepted by a state or territory transport department which oversees and processes driving licenses. NAATI is a respected accreditation authority as it has high standards and only offers accreditation to would-be translators who have gone through training and have passed exams in translation.

If you are an international student in Australia and are considering renting or buying a vehicle while you are here, make sure you get a state or territory driving license after 6 months of residency, and if you do use your driving license that an English translation is available if your license is not printed already in English. Using a NAATI translator means that your translated driving license is compliant.

Do Driving Licenses Need to be Translated?

Why you might need a driving license translated

Most people who go overseas for short trips never think about translating their driving licenses and, in reality, a translation is rarely necessary. Most national or state driving licenses are accepted in other countries although there may be limitations on their use and in some rare cases, a translation may be necessary. It always pays to do a quick Google search before jetting off to another country, especially if the country is unfamiliar or where people speak an entirely different language or use a very different form of writing. 

Spare a thought for the average traffic cop in say, China, who asks to see your driving license at a roadside stop and you are driving a rental car. Your license will probably be totally incomprehensible. The same goes for Chinese or Japanese tourist in Australia or Europe who carries their own national driving license with them. It may technically be legal, but the policeman or policewoman who asks to see it will probably not have a clue whether it is actually valid or even discern any useful information from it, especially if the photo i.d. is a bit out of date.

There is one way around only carrying your own driving license or getting it translated and that’s getting an international driving license. This is usually easy to obtain in advance before leaving your own country. The international license is normally carried with the national license and presented to whoever asks to see it. The information is translated and printed in some, but not all, of the world’s major languages.

The requirements for driving license translation

If you do need to have your driving license translated, use a professional driving license translator. By choosing the right translator who can translate the license into the language you need, all the relevant parts of the license must be translated correctly. These include:

  • your name;
  • your home address (if on your own national license);
  • the date of expiry of your license;
  • the date the license was issued;
  • whether there are any special conditions required for you to use your license, e.g. wearing spectacles or contact lenses;
  • the validity of the license for particular vehicle classes.

Note that most countries and, in some cases, administrative regions of a single country, such as state governments in the U.S. or Australia, require local licenses to be obtained after a period of residence. The rules depend on which country you obtained your original license in, so for example, if you have a Singaporean license or a New Zealand or British one, you can obtain an Australian one without having to do any further tests. You may need to get your own license translated just to have a new, local license issued.

The need for using the right language service provider

If you have been told that you need your national license translated, it is best to get it done by someone who knows what they are doing. Choosing a professional driving license translator will avoid problems and misunderstandings. Every country has a different way of approving translation accreditation or qualifications, so make sure you check which translator or agency is qualified to certify your license and knows what is required in the country you want to use it. 

If you are already in Australia, for example, and expect to be in one state or territory or the other for more than 3 months, then you can expect to have to get a new, locally issued license. That might mean that your own national license you have been using up to then needs to be translated. Use a NAATI-certified licensed translator to do the translation. NAATI is the Australian national accreditation authority for translators and interpreters.

What Are The Different Types Of Medical Translation Services?

Medical translation services and medical interpreting services are in demand worldwide more than ever before, as the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated over the last two and a half years. There are many reasons for this other than a single pandemic and equally, there are many different types of both medical translation and interpreting. This makes the medical translation and interpreting industries an increasingly attractive career choice for graduates. It also makes it increasingly important for businesses and institutions related to the medical field to understand the critical relevance of medical translation and to know how to select the most appropriate professional translation and interpreting services to meet their requirements. A brief description of the variety of medical translation and interpreting services available follows below. 

The different types of medical translation 

1. Medical translation types in a hospital setting

It should be obvious that a large part of the medical translation services required will be in the context of a hospital. The variety of ways in which translation is required is immense. 

Medical technology, for example, is a worldwide commodity, and instrumentation and equipment may be manufactured in many different countries, each of which may have a different official language. Instrumentation and equipment bought and imported from a country other than where the hospital system is located may necessitate accurate and complete translation of instructions for use, including maintenance and installation when languages differ.

Drugs used in hospital procedures may also originate in many different countries. Medical professionals in the hospital setting together with hospital-based pharmaceutical services depend on accurate and informative medical translation of drug descriptions including correct handling procedures, storage, dosage, and application for use.

Many hospitals now experience patient visitation by people who may not be able to speak or understand the main language used in that hospital. Migration and refugee intakes have increased in many more affluent countries over the last two decades or more, meaning that medical instructions and information conveyed to patients must be carefully communicated if these patients and their carers or families are to understand diagnoses, surgical procedures, and choices, medication use and other post-hospital instructions. This is where medical translation services are required to allow equality of access to sufficient medical care irrespective of ethnic or language origin. In some countries, such as the U.S. this equality of care is enshrined in law.

2. Medical interpreting services 

Medical translation involves the conversion of text from one language to another. A good example in the medical context is the translation of a new MRI scanning machine manual from German to English. Medical interpreting services, in the hospital context, on the other hand, relate to converting what people say from one language to another. Where hospitals expect to provide medical services to a multi-lingual community, the demand for medical interpreters capable of communicating information between health professionals in the hospital and their patients is an ongoing necessity. 

In some countries, such as Switzerland, Malaysia, and India, where there are many different languages spoken amongst the inhabitants, there is an apparent ongoing need for effective medical interpreting. This is also the case where there has been an increase in refugee or migrant populations who may need to use the services of a hospital.

3. Types of medical translation – General 

There are many other types of medical translation that are not necessarily bound to the hospital environment. These include the translation of the following:

  • academic journals;
  • clinical trial documentation and protocols;
  • market research;
  • medical documents;
  • patents;
  • patient brochures and websites;
  • prescription labels;

Conclusion 

Those who manage and maintain medical facilities of all types know that choosing a medical translator or interpreter should not be taken lightly. These services should be the preserve of well-trained and experienced professional translators and interpreters who specialize in the medical field.

What Is the Most Translated Text in the World?

There are many documents that have been translated many times, some of which are related to human rights religion, as well as literary works. Two of the world’s most translated documents are the Bible and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most translated text in the world. It was first awarded this status in 2009 and at that time it had been translated into at least 370 languages. Recently it was found that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is now available in more than 500 languages.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was first written due to the outbreak of the 2nd World War and it was considered to be a milestone document in human rights history by the United Nations. This was the first appearance of a global expression of rights to which all humans should be entitled to. It took place at a meeting of representatives of different backgrounds and cultures from throughout the world who gathered to develop the draft of the document. It is as relevant today as it was when it was first adopted. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is with little doubt an essential document in its own right and it has inspired many and paved the way for many more local treaties globally both nationally and internationally. In fact, at least 70 treaties specifically refer to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Bible

Up to September 2020, the complete Bible had been translated into seven hundred and four languages. But the New Testament has been translated into 1,551 languages and portions of the Bible’s stories into about 1,160 other languages. On top of these figures, some parts of the Bible have been translated into three thousand four hundred and fifteen languages. Aramaic and Hebrew were the first languages of The Old Testament while Greek was the first language of the New Testament. 

Translating the Bible has taken place so that its message can be shared with everyone in a language they can easily understand. Efforts to translate the Bible into English started with Caedmon’s effort into Anglo-Saxon in A.D. 670. Bede in A.D. 735 translated the Bible’s Gospel of John which he finished only a day before he died. John Wycliffe in A.D. 1382 reputedly completed the first whole Bible translation into English helped by others.

Some Other Most Translated Text And Books Are:

The Little Prince

Little Prince is a poetic storybook famous for its watercolor illustrations. It was written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in French. It was published in 1943 and up to today 140 million books had been sold and it has been translated into 380 languages.  

The Adventures of Pinocchio

The Adventures of Pinocchio was written by Carlo Collodi in Italian. It has now been translated into 260 languages. 

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in 1865. Lewis Carrol wrote it in English but today it has been translated into 174 global languages.

Tao Te Ching

Tao Te Ching has been translated into 250 languages and it is the most important text, both religious and philosophical for Taoists. 

Pippi Longstockings

Pippi Longstocking, which was first called Pippi Långstrump, was created by a Swedish writer called Astrid Lindgren. It is a story about a little girl who appears to have superhuman powers. Her father’s a sailor, and Mr. Nilsson is the name given to a monkey in the story. It has been translated into 70 languages.

Hire professional services for document translations.

 

What Are Medical Reports and Why Do They Need to be Translated?

What are medical reports?

Medical reports are hugely important, so if there is a need to provide them in a country other than the one where they were issued and where the official language is different, then medical report translation will be needed.

Medical reports are made up of individual medical records as well as more general data and statistics that could be anything from an analysis of regional and national health outcomes to research and development of new treatment options, vaccines, and drugs.

Why you might need individual medical record translation

When it comes to individuals, medical reports tend to be called medical records. Ideally, they should be continuous, and therefore give a history of the health of the individual. If there have been any illnesses that had to be treated or injuries that had to be dealt with, these should be included in the individual’s medical records. These may include assessments by doctors, records of hospital admissions, the results of any tests and scans, diagnoses of any serious illnesses, medication prescribed, ongoing prognosis, and potential long-term medical needs.

Generally, these medical records are compiled in the language of the country where the individual has lived for most of the time, but people do move around from one country to another, for education, permanent migration, employment, and as refugees. When the individual does move to another country, medical records can be very useful in the event that treatment is required. In many cases, visas for lengthier periods of stay or permanent migration may depend on submitting medical records. Typically, this is a medical examination that may need specific tests such as for T.B., syphilis, etc.

In more recent times, vaccination records against Covid-19 have been of importance for individuals when visiting another country. Again, medical document translation in the form of vaccination data may be necessary. Covid-19 vaccination status is currently going through a dynamic situation, but there are other vaccinations that may be mandatory such as Yellow Fever vaccinations if visiting Africa or South America.

Why you might need medical reports and documents translation

Most people are aware of just how important international cooperation between national health departments, medical researchers, individual doctors, and medical specialists is. An enormous amount of medical information is created every month by a variety of individuals, government departments, private health entities, corporations that specialize in providing drugs and pharmaceutical products, and medical instruments and appliance manufacturers. Although intellectual property rights and corporate needs to copyright and patent their products tend to minimize the sharing of ideas, in general, much of the data and information released by all those sources listed above does in fact get circulated around the world. When it comes to many new medical innovations and techniques for treatment, the best practice is to share discoveries and ensure that tests and experiments used in one country are repeated and assessed elsewhere. Medical reports tend to be predominantly scientific and technical in nature. Science proceeds cautiously, relying on testing and then more testing until hypotheses and predictions become accepted when results are consistent. International cooperation is a must in all fields of medicine and public health. This of course means that sharing of information in the form of medical reports and documents of all kinds relies on medical report translators to accurately convert information from one language to another.

Conclusion

Medical report translation and medical document translation is an often overlooked yet hugely important activities. This field of translation demands very accurate translations, not just in terms of language fluency but translators must have a good foundation in medical terminology if their translation work is to be of any use. It is vital that a professional medical report translation agency is used to do any medical translation tasks.

Why are Death Certificate Translations so Important?

Dealing with complex paperwork, and in particular documents such as death certificates, can be not only difficult but emotional. You really want to be sure that anybody you trust to undertake the translation of this type of document does it both professionally and accurately. Many issues and complications could arise if a poor translation is created.

Death certificate translations may be required to settle a deceased’s estate when a certified death certificate translation is typically required. The translation of a death certificate may be needed for several purposes like the transferring of assets such as real estate and the disbursing of the deceased’s insurance benefits. So many people have tied around the world, including assets and investments, where a death certificate translation may be required before these assets and investments can be transferred.

What are death certificate translations?

When someone dies, most governments throughout the world will issue a death certificate either authorized by a government agency or a certified medical professional. The death certificate both notes and certifies the location, time, date, and cause of death and the deceased person’s identification information.

There are a number of reasons why death certificates might be issued in one language but later on a translation into another language is required.

  • Many countries demand that new immigrants present key documents in the language of their country. This could apply to a death certificate when completing immigration paperwork to enter the United States.
  • Before marrying a United States citizen, if a previous spouse has died who was originally from Mexico, the United States Immigration and Citizenship Service may ask for a death certificate translated from Spanish to English, which is evidence proving the status of a lost spouse.
  • When there is the need to settle a deceased person’s estate who was a permanent resident or even possessed citizenship in many countries each of which speaks different native languages.

Other times when you may need a death certificate translation are:

  • If you’re filing immigration application documents for parents but one has died.
  • If you’re submitting documents on behalf of any family members such as children or siblings and a child or spouse or child of theirs has died.

3 tips when selecting the right translation service for a death certificate

When you are in the position of needing a death certificate translated you need to select the right translation service for the job. There are certain features you should look for before finalizing your choice. These are:

1. Search for certified translation agencies

Depending on your country, you should look out for certain signs in translation services advertising material, such as that the translations will be accepted by the USCIS or the service is approved by the American Translator’s Association. Don’t fall for any sales tricks like free death certificates offered, as this type of advertising will not guarantee a good death certificate translation.

2. Look out for recommendations

Some governments and academic agencies may provide a list of recommended translation services.

3. Read reviews

In the digital world, it is commonplace to find that many websites offering death certificate translation services have an area on their website dedicated to reviews from happy customers. Searching through these views is a good way to gauge how satisfied customers are with their translation product.

Once you have chosen your translation services and you have received an accurate death certificate translation you can complete the process by getting your translation notarized.

A death certificate should be notarized before the translation process has been completed. Once the death certificate has been translated it will need to be notarized as well. This is usually completed by getting the translator to issue a certificate which is a “Declaration & Certification of an Interpreter/Translator.” This document can then be signed by the notary. This issued Translation Certificate should be affixed together with the rest of the required documentation for final submission.

A professional death certificate translation agency can ensure that the process of this type of translation is very simple. It can organize a suitable translator and get an accurate death certificate translation that has been notarised and can then serve many purposes when required.

Why Might You Need a Passport Translation?

Passports are documents issued by national governments that identify the holder of the passport as a citizen of that country. Passports include important information about the holder such as their age and place of birth, as well as a photograph of the holder’s face and shoulders. Many passports now incorporate sophisticated technology designed to deter the counterfeiting of the passport and may include further information about the holder such as biometric information encapsulated in an electronic chip.

When Might You Need Your Passport Translated?

One of the problems encountered by authorities all over the world is that naturally national governments issue passports in the official language or languages of that country. In some cases, e.g. in the European Union, passports for each individual country are issued with information in all of the E.U.’s constituent languages. Generally, it is rare when traveling for immigration staff to ask a visitor from another country to get their passport translated. Passports are treated as official documents and when a passport holder goes through passport control into another country, their passport is treated as valid if the photo seems genuine and the date of expiry of the passport hasn’t yet been reached.

This can still be a problem for authorities who are trying to interpret a language that is incomprehensible. The fact that many official languages use alphabets or characters that may not be understood anywhere else.

For this reason, if the passport is to be provided for anything other than border entries, there may be a request for the passport to be translated. This might be the case if the passport holder is applying for a special visa, such as temporary residence as a student, business person, entertainer, sports player, or for permanent migration. Authorities will then want to examine the information in the passport more carefully and assess it against other documents they have asked to see, such as birth and marriage certificates.

In most cases, it is wise to use professional passport translation services if your passport has been requested to be translated.

Benefits of having your passport translated

If you are to travel in a country where there are few tourists and authorities are unlikely to be able to communicate with you, or you have already received a request or anticipate such a request, then there are obvious benefits of having your passport translated. Some passport translation services will provide a multilingual passport translation, which you can use in multiple countries if needed.

In which languages are passports issued?

Passports are not very old. They have only been commonplace for just over a century. Originally, they would have been documents used by important people such as government officials and business people. Mass travel and movement of people really took off after the Second World War and with it the need for the issuing of passports. The question of choice of passport languages is an interesting one. French was a preferred choice in the early twentieth century as it had a reputation as a language of diplomacy, but gradually official languages of the issuing country have become the norm. Some countries issue their passports in different languages to make it easier for passport holders to use.

Conclusion

If you do need a passport translated, or think that a passport translation may be of use when you travel, it is wise to use a professional passport translation service to do the translation of your passport and any other important personal documents like driving licenses.

 

A Quick Guide to Getting Married Overseas

Getting married in the United States of America

Foreigners who live in the U.S. on a visitor or work visa may marry a US citizen or someone who holds a green cardholder. The citizen, or the holder of the green card, can sponsor their spouse through adjustment of status.

However, the USCIS does have a “90-day rule” that stops foreigners who have lived in the U.S. for 90 days or less from applying. It is even more difficult if the person has had less than 90 days of residency.

If either both or one spouse lives overseas the foreigner must apply for a K1 visa (fiancé visa) and then file an application for permanent residency following the marriage. The 90-day rule is relevant in this case too.

When the couple is married overseas they may contact the U.S. Consulate for “consular processing”. Using consular processing, the marriage will be legally recognized by the US and the spouse who is non-U.S. is granted a green card.

Getting married in France

Getting married in France you may select either a traditional style marriage or what’s called a “pacte civil de solidarité” (PACS), which is like a civil partnership. Whatever way you choose your starting point is the local “Mairie” (Town Hall). Each town will have its own rules and document requirements. Usually, the couple or one of their parents should have resided in that particular town for no less than 40 days before the date of the marriage ceremony.

The particular authorities could request a “certificate de célibat” which is the evidence to prove you are eligible to get married. You also will need to get a certificate of custom which is an attestation from a foreign lawyer regarding the content, existence, and foreign law interpretation. This certificate runs out after 6 months following its receipt. When the documentation is passed to the court or local town hall you may book your marriage ceremony there.

Getting married in Japan

It is possible to get married in Japan but if you are an Australian you will have to pay a visit to the Australian embassy in Tokyo where you confirm that you are legally permitted to be married through the swearing of an affirmation using an affidavit. If your marriage partner isn’t Japanese s/he will need to follow exactly the same process. The affidavit costs about $100 Aus each.

Other documents and their translations that may be required include:

  • passports,
  • birth certificates,
  • residence cards,
  • evidence of address,
  • naturalization documents(if applicable).
  • any documents that show a previous marriage(s) has been formally terminated.

As soon as your documents are available and their translations you may take them along to the municipal office where you may complete the request for registering the marriage (Kon-in Todoke).

Summary

Whichever country you choose to get married in making sure all the documents requested are accurately translated and if required certified. This will save you a lot of time in the long run and make your marriage a far more enjoyable experience. If your relatives overseas are unable to attend don’t forget to organize a live video recording through Zoom before the marriage ceremony begins.

Common Situations When Families Need Translations

One of the commonest reasons for families requiring translations is when they migrate to another country. Most immigration authorities require that all key documents related to the family need to be provided with a translation if these documents are not in the same official language as the country in which the migrants are intending to live in. This includes translations of the following:

In Australia, as with most other countries, translations of all key family-held documents will need to be accompanied by a signed and certified translation. Failure to do this can delay a migration application and if it involves starting a new job the main applicant may be rejected if the immigration process is far too slow. There is a lot at stake if you do not get the right translations for the documents required to get your new immigration status approved.

Translations for families arriving in Australia

No one is permitted to enter Australia without a visa, whether it is for visiting Australia on a tourist visa, for permanent residency, a bridging visa, a visa for employment purposes, or a working holiday visa. The Australian Government will only accept the English language for the documents that are required for entry into the country for both individuals and families.
All translations of documents required to get a visa must be performed by an approved professional translator who has NAATI accreditation. NAATI stands for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters and it is responsible for ensuring that translators reach a high standard before being accredited.

The process used for translating visa application documents for families.

Because most documents required to support a visa application are legal documents it is always better to get a professional legal translator to perform the translations. This means a human translator, not an online tool that specifies it undertakes translations of legal documents. These sorts of translations are notorious for providing inaccurate translations of documents which if used will lead to delays in your and your family’s move to Australia.

Legal documents depend on accurate translations which are usually word-for-word translations. As Australian immigration officials require that every part of a legal document is translated including seals and watermarks it is important to get a legal translator to do the work as he or she will be familiar with the seals and watermarks found on your legal documents. The translator will then certify and sign the translation and state that it is an accurate translation.

If any translated document that you are required to provide for you and your family for visas to if it has not been certified by a professional legal translator your application will be rejected leading to long delays while you sort out your translation problems.

Other reasons why families may need translations

If you have just arrived in Australia and your family is not fully fluent in English, they may need translations related to education and health provision in Australia. Most of the states provide key documents in these areas translated into a whole range of languages. However, if you find some important information that has not been translated into your language you can request a translation from the state you live in. You can also request an interpreter if you are visiting a healthcare provider or your child’s school. An interpreter will help you to communicate with these agencies and will ensure that miscommunication does not take place.

The International Adoption Process and How Translation is Important For It

The international adoption procedure for overseas adoption is through the Hague Process. In the U.S., for example, you are required to complete Forms I-800A and I-800 in order to complete adopting a foreign child. This means your international adoption of a child will come into the country either with an IH-3 immigration visa if adopting a child from overseas in a Hague nation, or an IH-4 immigration visa if the finalization of the adoption from abroad occurs in the U.S.

Using the non-Hague procedure for the international adoption procedure

If you were told to file Forms I-600 and/or I-600A so that you can complete the adoption from abroad, your international adoption will be for a child who originates from a nation that doesn’t have in force the Hague Adoption Convention. In this situation, your international infant adoption will result in the infant coming into the U.S. either on an IR-3 immigration visa which is specific to an adoption that has been finalized in a non-Hague nation and you (or it could be your spouse if you are married) saw the child before and throughout the adoption procedure or an IR 4 immigration visa if the adoption was approved in the U.S.
If your child fails to meet the requirements for either the non- Hague or Hague adoption procedure, you might be able to submit Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative, for international adoption on his/her behalf as the adopted child of a U.S. Citizen. Parents are required to accumulate two complete years of physical and legal custody and get full adoption of the child in order to qualify to submit to an I-130. Physical and legal custody can be accumulated in one time period or cumulatively throughout several periods. They can be accumulated during, before and following the international adoption.
The 2 years need to have been accumulated prior to the filing of Form I-130. In addition, the international adoption has to be finalized before the child has reached the age of 16 years his/her 18th birthday if the child is a biological sibling of another child that has previously been adopted or intends to adopt. Your newly adopted child will be given an IR-2 immigrant visa if s/he qualifies.

Amending a birth certificate after an international adoption

When a child is born, a birth certificate will be issued. This original birth certification will include unique information about the childlike time and place of birth, the baby’s height and weight recorded at the time of the birth, and the names of the child’s biological parents… After a child has gone through the international infant adoption process a new birth certificate will be issued which will have been amended to include only the names of the adoptive parents. The new birth certificate will include also the new name given to the child that is if the name has been altered.

The process of amending a birth certificate of an international adoption

As soon as the judge has given his/her approval for the international adoption application, the state should go ahead and issue an amended birth certificate. This is a slow process and you will have to request it if you want the issuing of the new birth certificate to be completed quickly.

The use of translations when adopting a foreign child

There are certain documents that always need translating when it comes to international adoption documents and these are:

-a letter showing the intention to adopt;

-a letter of commitment from the new parent showing they follow the country’s adoption rules;

-the international adoption agent’s certificate of approval;

-a marriage certificate belonging to the new parents;

-birth certificates belonging to the new parents;

-the license that the international adoption agency has;

-identification pages in each new parent(s) passport;

-divorce decrees, if applicable, of the new parents;

-the new parents FBI background checks;

-a medical exam reports for both new parents;

-letters showing the new parents’ income level and employment;

-financial statements showing the new parents’ assets;

-a letter was written by the parents’ bank showing they are in good standing;

-written evidence showing homeownership or lease confirmed by the landlord.

The importance of the translation of international adoption paperwork

All adoption papers are classified as legal documents and are records proving that the adoption is true and legal. Later on, in life adopted children may require their international adoption paperwork to prove who they are and where they came from so it is important that they are accurately translated not just for the purposes of immigration and citizenship but also to access other kinds of permits and licenses where identification is required. When adopting a child from overseas that child may need the translated adoption documents when filing an application for a driver’s license or to access health care. For these situations certified or notarized translated adoption documents might be required. Accurately translated international adoption documents may also be useful when in the following situations:

-enrolling in a college or university;

-filing an application for a driver’s license;

-filing an application for a passport;

-getting a marriage license;

-filing an application for U.S. Social Security entitlements.