I’m currently in the process of applying for my 定居證副本 (Duplicate of Residence Permit) in the U.S. I received my copy of my FBI IHS (Background Check) and I’m in the process of TECRO (D.C.) in authenticating it. Once authenticated, I’m under the impression this document must be translated to Chinese and notarized (jurat) and that document needs to be authenticated too/again, albeit it can be done at my local TECO instead of TECRO.
If this is true, how do I go about the process of having the document translated into Chinese and then notarized? Thanks in advance.
Document needs to be authenticated by TECRO in DC. Then that document needs to be mailed back to you according to their procedures on their webpage. Then you need to take that document and get it notarized where you are currently residing. Then you take all those documents and you go to the local TECO and have them authenticated. No need to translate them into Chinese as of last year in December when I went through the same process.
An FBI Criminal Background Check issued within 1 year (must be
authenticated by TECRO in DC), plus a Chinese translation (TECO-
authenticated). * Minors waived
It’s usually either that - or authenticated (at TECO), translated and notarized (in Taiwan).
Basically, one is free to choose whether to translate abroad (and authenticate the translation at a TECO) or to translate in Taiwan (and notarize the translation at a Taiwan notary).
And in many cases, one would also need to get another authentication (of the original, not the translation!) by BOCA in Taiwan.
Do you mean the translation can be done by oneself (whether inside or outside Taiwan), with authentication then done either by TECO or at a Taiwan notary? Or do you mean the translation needs to be done professionally by someone else?
Do you know if the required notarization, authentication, and if necessary professional translation services are available in Kaohsiung?
Background to my question is that I may need translated, authenticated documents soon, and I may be in Kaohsiung soon.
I am not sure about the process for authenticating a translation with TECO, so I cannot comment on that.
When notarizing a translation in Taiwan, the notary will notarize an affidavit that the translator (which can be you!) asserts that the translation is correct. The notary will not check the translation itself. They’ll only take (and notarize!) your statement that it is correct. Of course that means that you shouldn’t do the translation yourself unless you’re fluent enough in Chinese.
I’d recommend against using ChatGPT (or similar) to translate and then swear the correctness of the translation in front of a notary.
Also, pay special attention at the translation of addresses and names. Some government agencies will require a translation of your name and address into Chinese, too!
Some government agencies will also accept English originals for some documents - so double-check if you really need a notarized translation or not.
No idea about Kaohsiung - I hired a translation service in Taipei (for German → Chinese).
I sent them the document authenticated by TECO and BOCA - and they took care about translation and notarization (you definitely need to find a translation agency that offers notarized translations as the translator needs to do the notarization). It’s no use paying a translator and then trying to notarize the translation yourself.
Not sure if any translation services would take care of the authentication at BOCA, too - I guess if you’re willing to pay, that might be the case. Not sure, though, if they can actually do this or if the document holder needs to personally apply for authentication at BOCA.
TECO will return it to you, the already TECRO authenticated FBI copy, that your signature on the affidavit is authentic.
BTW, I’m the OP of this post (Dec 2024). In terms of the FBI copy:
#1. Did not need it “notarized” in the end because TECRO authentication was enough. #2. Unsure if a Chinese translation was needed in the end but did it anyway and had TECO authenticate the affidavit before I submitted my documents.
I received my 定居證副本 almost six months ago (limit of the document) from the NIA through my local TECO. Going to Taiwan this month to get my HHR and National ID and apply for NWHR Passport.
Do you happen to remember which translation/notary company in Taiwan you used, without visiting Taiwan?
This means the company you used accepts postal applications and will mail the documents back to you? A few more questions (based on a similar recent experience):
Do you need to mail them a copy of your ID, like a US passport copy?Notarized copy, or just plain photocopy?
How do you pay the company? And how much did it cost?
Do you need to send them a self-addressed stamped envelope to return the documents to you (outside of Taiwan), and if so, how did you get the Taiwanese stamps outside of Taiwan?
I used Montoru (link below). All communication was on Line in English.
No need for passport. Not even a photo or scan. The translation/notary is simply swearing “our chinese translation matches the English version”.
Paid online via credit card, similar to PayPal/Stripe. It was a few years ago but I think I paid NT$2,000 for translation and notarization combined.
No self-addressed envelope like TECRO. I gave them my DHL account number and they mailed everything back to me in a DHL envelope. DHL billed me after it arrived. Shipping price to the US was ~NT$1500 although I believe this price includes DHL courier pick up from their office.
I’m sure you could use Chunghwa Post with a regular envelope and physical stamps for a fraction of the price, but the process is not as streamlined as DHL, FedEx, etc. Also I wanted to make it easy for them to mail it back to me internationally.
although I believe this price includes DHL courier pick up from their office.