Notary Translation for US Diversity Visa (EDV): Exact Requirements

If you have been selected in the US Diversity Visa (DV) lottery from Nepal — congratulations. But the documentation process for your DV-1 immigrant visa interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu is demanding. Every non-English document you submit must be accompanied by a certified English translation that meets USCIS standards. Hamro Notary provides specialized certified translation services for US Diversity Visa (EDV) applicants in Kathmandu, ensuring your documents meet the exact requirements for both your KCC submission and your embassy interview.

What Is the US Diversity Visa (EDV) Program?

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program — commonly called the EDV lottery in Nepal — allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas each year to nationals of countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Nepal has been eligible for the DV lottery and Nepali nationals regularly receive DV allocations.

If you are selected (a “DV selectee”), you must complete several steps before your visa interview:

• Submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application online through CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center)
• Gather all required civil documents (birth certificates, police clearance, marriage certificate, etc.)
• Arrange certified translations of all Nepali-language documents
• Attend your visa interview at the US Embassy in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, bringing originals and certified translations

Which Documents Need Certified Translation for EDV?

All civil documents not already in English must be accompanied by certified translations for your DV visa interview. The following documents commonly require certified translation for DV visa applicants from Nepal:

• Birth certificate — For the principal applicant and all derivative beneficiaries (spouse and children under 21)
• Marriage certificate — If married; required for all derivative beneficiaries to be included
• Police clearance certificate (PCC) — From Nepal Police for all applicants aged 16 and over; also required from every other country where you have lived for 6 or more months since age 16
• Divorce decree — If previously married and divorced; both the decree and any related court orders need certified translation
• Death certificate — If a previous spouse is deceased
• Court records — If you have any criminal record, court orders related to previous convictions must be translated
• Adoption records — If any derivative beneficiary was adopted
• Academic certificates — While not always required, some consular officers request translated educational documents to verify the DV educational eligibility requirement

USCIS and State Department Translation Requirements

The US Department of State and USCIS have specific requirements for certified translations submitted for immigrant visa applications:

• The translation must be a “complete and accurate” translation of the original document — nothing can be omitted or summarised
• The translator must certify in writing that they are competent in both English and the source language, and that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original
• USCIS does not require specific translator credentials or certification bodies — but the certification statement is mandatory
• At the Kathmandu US Embassy, having a notary-sealed translation significantly reduces the risk of consular officer concerns about translation quality or authenticity

The Translation Process for EDV Applicants

Your KCC (Kentucky Consular Center) appointment notification will include a list of required documents. Read this list carefully and identify every document that is in Nepali and will therefore need certified translation. Do not overlook derivative beneficiaries — your spouse’s and children’s documents also need translation.

Collect original copies of all documents requiring translation. Do not bring photocopies — our translators must examine the original documents, including all stamps, seals, and marginal notes. Keep your original documents safe, as you will also need to present them at the embassy interview alongside the certified translations.

Bring all documents to Hamro Notary at Naramaya Bhawan, Chabahil, Kathmandu. Our office is open Sunday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For EDV applicants with multiple documents to translate, we recommend calling ahead on +977 984-134-6966 to schedule a morning appointment so we can allocate adequate time for your full document set.

Our translators produce USCIS-compliant certified translations for each document — birth certificates, police clearance, marriage certificates, and any other required documents. All dates are converted from Bikram Sambat (B.S.) to Gregorian (AD) calendar format. All stamps, seals, and official designations are translated. Each translation is clearly laid out to mirror the structure of the original.

Each translated document receives a signed certification statement from the translator declaring their competency and the accuracy of the translation. Our registered Notary Public then stamps and signs the certification under the authority of the Notary Public Council of Nepal, creating a complete certified translation package for your US Embassy interview.

Timeline and Planning for EDV Applicants

Planning your document translation early is critical for EDV applicants. Here is a recommended timeline:

• As soon as you receive KCC notification: Begin collecting original documents and apply for Nepal Police PCC (which takes 3–7 working days from CIB, Naxal)
• At least 3 weeks before your interview date: Submit all documents for certified translation at Hamro Notary
• At least 1 week before your interview: All certified translations should be complete and in your hands
• Interview day: Bring both original documents AND certified translations to the US Embassy

Translation Fees for EDV Applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Google Translate printout for my DV visa documents?

No. The US State Department and USCIS require a certified translation — produced by a qualified human translator who signs a certification statement. Machine-generated translations (Google Translate, DeepL, Microsoft Translator) are not accepted under any circumstances for immigration document submissions.

My Nepal PCC already has some English text — does it still need a certified translation?

Yes. Nepal Police PCC documents typically have a Nepali section even if the applicant’s name appears in English. The US Embassy requires a certified translation of the complete document, not just the Nepali portions. Our translation clearly notes which sections were already in English in the original, satisfying the complete translation requirement.

My spouse’s name is spelled differently across her birth certificate, citizenship card, and passport. Do we need an affidavit?

Yes, strongly recommended. Name discrepancies between documents are common in Nepal and create complications at the US Embassy interview. A name discrepancy affidavit — notarized by our registered Notary Public — confirms that the different name spellings all refer to the same person. This can prevent your visa interview from being delayed or denied. We can prepare this affidavit on the same visit as your translation.

Does the US Embassy require MoFA attestation on DV visa translations?

Generally, no. The US Embassy in Kathmandu accepts notary-certified translations directly for DV visa interviews without requiring MoFA attestation. However, if a consular officer specifically requests it, we can arrange MoFA attestation quickly. To keep your timeline clean, we recommend completing translations with notary seals first, and only proceeding to MoFA if specifically requested by the embassy or your immigration attorney.