English Translations.

[regpye]

My wife and I are getting our data together to send to AU Immigration in BKK.

Some of her documents need translating into English.

What are the rules on translations, do they have to be done by someone authorised or can they be home-done and witnessed?

Any info on this please and expand if there are other items that are needed to be known about these issues.

thanks

Reggie

[ka12345]

Don't know about AU but most other embassies require translations to be done and stamped by certified translation offices. You find them all over BKK.

[thaihome]

There are a couple around the the corner from the AU Embassy down Soi Suan Plu, across from Immigration. I have used Bangkok Business and Translation twice. Pretty good grammer on the translation. Don't remember how much it cost.

TH

[Pink Mist]

We used this place Reggie

Titita Murphy

Interlanguage Translation Service

Phone 0-2252-7450

Fax 0-2650-7831

There is a Hotel next to the Embassy, the King from memory, that has a photocopy and translation service also, can't vouch for it though.

[Loong Dave]

Reggie

We have a translation business in Patong. We have learned. Go to the embassy first and ask them if they have a certified translation company that you have to go to. Some embassy only accept translations done by certain companies. Regardless, they must be 'stamped'.

Another thing we have learned, if an embassy does not want people in or certain people in the country they will be nit picky about the translation and turn it down. I have seen documents returned because they did not like the way it was worded even though it was correct, ie if you translate 'person in command' they would reject it and say it should be 'commanding person'.

You will have to go back to the translation company, complain and try to get your money back.

I would strongly recommend you go to the embassy and talk to them about translation and talk to the translator and ask if they are ceritfied with that embassy. Ask them if you get your money back if the translation is rejected. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

[Pink Mist]

I forgot to mention that the transaltion service was one of the companies approved by embassy

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I forgot to mention that the transaltion service was one of the companies approved by embassy

Get the list of approved translators from the Ozzie Embassy Reg. As others have pointed out, they are sometimes looking for an excuse to bugger you about.

[Pink Mist]

That one's kosher Doc.

[regpye]

Thanks guys,

I am glad I asked this question, not only for our own use, but a close friend of my wife has just married a Canadian, and she has done her own translations but not presented them yet.

We will let her know about what is required before they have problems.

I have written to an Embassy official and am waiting on a reply about it also.

Will keep you all posted.

Cheers,

Reggie

[MartinB]

FYI

I am also in the process of getting some Thai docs translated into English. So thought it was wise to ask the embassy if they had a list of approved agencies for the obvious reasons i. e didnt want the stuff chucked back at me saying that I had to use a certified agency etc. Anyway hare is the response from the British:

Dear Sir.

We do not have an official list of approved companies and we are not permitted to recommend any particular company.

[dfwbkk]

FYI

I am also in the process of getting some Thai docs translated into English. So thought it was wise to ask the embassy if they had a list of approved agencies for the obvious reasons i. e didnt want the stuff chucked back at me saying that I had to use a certified agency etc. Anyway hare is the response from the British:

Dear Sir.

We do not have an official list of approved companies and we are not permitted to recommend any particular company.

This will vary between embassies. I know the Norwegian one posts a list of recommended/approved translators (and funnily enough they're all less than 200 meters away from the embassy).

/// DFW

[Pink Mist]

Another thing we have learned, if an embassy does not want people in or certain people in the country they will be nit picky about the translation and turn it down.  I have seen documents returned because they did not like the way it was worded even though it was correct, ie if you translate 'person in command' they would reject it and say it should be 'commanding person'.

It makes you wonder why a translation is necessary if they can read the document.

[spatz]

When we did my wife's paperwork for the Aus. embassy, they required the original documents as well as the translatation in English of all documents which were to be submitted.

We had our documents translated at one of the many translation shops around. Had no problems, think we paid around 200-400 baht a page.

[regpye]

I got a reply and a very nice note from AU Immigration in BKK

They answered several othe questions at the same time, here is an extract.

Q:

My wife will require to get some translations done in BKK, are there specific rules to follow, places that are specified for getting it done, or any other items we need to know about translations?

A:

here are many places in Thailand that can do your translations for you - as you will submit the originals we will check the translations against the Thai in any case.

Q:

My wife will also need to get a medical done by an approved AU appointed medical officer, and I obtained a list from the AU website, however, do we have to wait until one has been selected for her to see, or can she select one herself from the list? Also, does she have to wait until told when to have this medical done?

A:

She can have the medical at any time and can select herself any doctor on the list. It speeds up the process if she does the medicals and the police clearances in advance.

Q:

Many of our documents are irreplaceable and originals. Are certified copies allowed, can we present copies and the originals but keep our original papers?

A:

You can bring your originals and copies - we will keep the copies and

return the originals.

Q:

I will be coming to Thailand in early November in order to start the

process of her application and support her where I can do.

I am trying to get all that is possible to bring there in order to make the

processes as smooth as possible.

I can only stay there about 80 days and will have to return to AU. Is it

possible to have the processing done in that time so we can travel back

together?

A:

No one can guarantee a processing time in an individual case - some are

done in days and others take years. This is a result of the individual

circumstances of each case. it is however quite possible to make a

decision within the time you describe. The best way to ensure speedy

processing is to give us a well documented application. Things that delay applications typically include health issues, previous adverse immigration history, custody issues with children under 18 yrs, matters of divorce etc.

The other way to speed the process along is to make an appointment for

interview and lodgement - this must be done in advance - we are currently booked three weeks ahead so when the applicant knows when she wants to lodge send us an email and we will book you in - appointments are in the mornings - you should advise several preferred days and times.

[Pink Mist]

good stuff Reggie, will come in handy. They still have my original birth certificate though. Latest episode is niece visa, what a turnout, will relate in another post.

[regpye]

I should have asked about the police clearance checks as well. Will she need too go to a special place for this, or the local cop shop?

Anyone know? I don't want to bother Immigration again.