copied and translated or original and translates for UK visa?

[ironryon]

Hi

Can anyone confirm what is necessary for a UK settlement visa application....

The UKBA told me I should provide a translated version of anything that's not in English or Welsh.

What I'm unclear on is if the document (thai ID card/birth cert./marriage cert.) not in English has to be the original or if a copy will do.

Also the passport of the applicant is in Thai. Does that have to be translated too?

[7by7]

All documents should be originals; except the ID card as the ECOs know Thais must keep this on their persons at all times, though her ID card is not really required as her passport confirms her identity.

If you want the originals back then you should supply copies as well.

If you are unable to supply the original, then you should supply a copy certified as a true copy.

Translations should be certified thus:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document;
• the date of the translation;
• the translator's full name and signature; and
• the translator's contact details.

No need to translate her passport as the relevant details in that are in both English and Thai; ditto for her ID card if you supply it..

[ironryon]

Hi 7by7

Thanks for helping out..

Just to be 100% clear...

I would want the birth certificate back - so would I give the original and a translated certified version as a copy OR

the original, a copy and a translated certified version?

Cheers

Edited March 18, 2015 by ironryon

[bigyin]

If you want the translation back as well give a copy of that so 4 documents in total...2 originals and 2 copies. I have just done this and waiting for the result.

[7by7]

Indeed, you should supply copies of all documents which you want returned.

You may think you don't need the translations of documents such as birth certificates back; but remember you may need them in the UK and translating documents in the UK is a lot more expensive than having it done in Thailand.

[ironryon]

Ok Thanks both - Understood - time for some copying and copying of the copies then

Slightly different subject but connected....I don't want to send our original marriage certificate because we need it for my wifes FLR in June (If I send it to Bangkok this week for a mid April Visa application appointment I guess I wont have it back here in time) - will a copy of it and its translation be acceptable for the VFS?

[bigyin]

When I got married in Bangkok last year we each got a marriage certificate. Have you only got one? As far as I am aware they want the original but 7by7 might know differently. I am also a bit confused by your reference to a settlement visa application in April and an FLR application in June. Are both of these for your wife????

[ironryon]

Hi bigyin

My life is one big visa and passport application at present British passport applications for each of my sons, FLR for my wife in June and a UK Child Settlement Visa for my wifes Thai daughter in April.

We got married in Bangrak in Jan 2010 and I forgot if we also got a certificate each...thanks for the reminder I'll look into what they gave us.

[7by7]

The application is your step daughter's and she is applying to join her mother. So the relationship that needs to be shown is that between her and her mother. The child's birth certificate does that.

You don't really need to include your marriage certificate at all; but if you do want to do so and don't want to send an original then send a self certified copy and explain in your covering letter why you haven't sent the original.

[ironryon]

I decided not to include the marriage certificate... seems like no reason to.

Thanks for your help.

[wooloomooloo]

You may think you don't need the translations of documents such as birth certificates back; but remember you may need them in the UK and translating documents in the UK is a lot more expensive than having it done in Thailand.

Couldn't agree more. I had all my wife's documents, including her birth certificate, translated and notarised. Overkill? I don't know, but have the originals and translations with notarisations here in the UK to hand and wouldn't be caught out if it came to it.

I should also state that the MFA staff are extremely professional. Our notarised documents look the part and the staff were always the most courteous.