Translation of supporting documents

[Mark_in_Canada]

Was wondering if anyone know's if it would be cheaper to get the translation done in China compared to home. It seems most things are
less expensive in China. Thanks, again!

[Neil]

200 times cheaper in China.  Probably more accurate too. 

[Mark_in_Canada]

Thanks Neil!!!

[Chong]

Your sponsorship forms don't need to be translated, unless you want your wife to read it in Chinese before answering the questions. If you're referring to supporting documents, yes, it'll probably be cheaper to translate into Chinese.

Martin and I just got it done in Toronto just to get it over and done with. The cost was included in the 'single certificate package' done by a Chinese company specializing in helping people fill out sponsorship forms.

Martin and I did our own respective sponsorship papers.

[Mark_in_Canada]

yes, it is the supporting documents I was refering to. Chong , you must have got a good deal, did you?

[Mark_in_Canada]

it cost me $230.00 to get the single certificate in Edmonton

[Rhonald]

I will try to recall how much I paid. I believe I spent 50 dollars for a lawyer to notarize my Affidavit of Single Status. I think the cost of authenticating the signatures for both the lawyer"s signature & stamp on the affidavit, and the clerk's signature on the Divorce certificate was 10 dollars each document. I probably spent about 20 dollars mailing this to Edmonton by courier. Then at the Chinese consulate I paid 30 dollars for them to authenticate my affidavit of single status ( which ended up being an embossed hologram on the back of the document).

Eventhough the clerk said that was all I needed, as in no translation that their hologram was proof enough, once I arrived in China, the clerk at the marriage registry demanded everything to be translated. We had to hurriedly find a lawyer to get it notarized and translated into Chinese. This cost eludes me know but I would hazard a guess that I spent about 1200 RMB for it.

So in Canada I spent about 120 dollars & in China about 200 dollars.

I just checked an old pm I sent to Neil where he asked me about it. I stated that I spent about 300 dollars in China for the notarization. I believe at that time I thought the exchange rate was about 5 to 1 so that means I spent 1500 rmb for the lawyer in China.

[Mark_in_Canada]

yes, I think we will get the translations and certified copies done in China. I also have two medicals that need to be done, around $1500 RMB each.

[Willy The Londoner]

Why the medicals. They are no longer needed for marriage here. 

Willy

[Mark_in_Canada]

Hi Willy. These are for immigration purposes. These are still required.

[Willy The Londoner]

Boy - you are in a rush.  Why not wait until you actually marry before you go to all this expense.  You cannot be sure that you will connect when you meet for first time.  Or is she pressurising you to get her to Canada?

The money could be used for Plan B.  I take it there is a plan B?

Willy

[Jason B]

The only documents requiring translation were the Single certificate - prior to marriage.
For the visa applicaton - wedding certificate, her police report, birth certificate.  And maybe for others but not an issue for us prior marriage certificate and divorce/death certificate.  Others may be able to verify.

Unless you are trying to budget it all up now so you have an idea of the final costing involved for the whole saga, I would be more inclined to wait and get documents translated when/if required by your wife/gf in China, yes more cheaper and can get notarised in the same building.  Your girl will know where to go for all the required translations.

Also on the medicals (this is the Australian case maybe Canada is the same or different do not know) but the embassy/consulate will tell her when they want her to go for the medicals not before hand otherwise as Mike said they will expire before being of any use.  Also the form that Xia was given had the questions in Chinese and English and no translation was required.  This form was given to her when we put the papers in for her visa application. 

[Mark_in_Canada]

Thanks for your concern Willy, actually there is no plan B. I cannot think of one reason we will not marry. We are both very confident that we are meant  to be together. I don't believe I am being naive, there is always a possibility we won't connect, but I think it is a small one.
There is absolutely no pressure from her asking to come to Canada. In fact she has said, it dosen't matter where we live as long as we are together.
She has a very nice apartment in China. Only 26 days now...

[Mark_in_Canada]

Regarding the medicals, it seems like they are valid for one year. Hopefully it wont take that long to get the visa. Seems like the processing time
is about 6 months right now. It seems like all the visa come out of Beijing, is that correct?
Thanks!

[john1964]

Hi Mark, Yes the medicals do have and expiry date of around 12 months as i was told from my case officer in Shanghai, As for the visa coming from Beijing it all depends where your lady lives, My wife lives in Handan which is quite close to Beijing but her visa is being handled in Shanghai which is about three times the distance from from her home as compared to Beijing. Regards from John.