Name Matching Passport and Birth Certificate

[scarface816]

I am in the process of the K1 and K2 Visa application and there is another issue that I believe may be a problem. My fiance's name is Olga in English. However, when she got her Biometric passport renewed recently it came in with the name Olha. We thought it was a mistake and she called and asked the Ukrainian passport authority to correct it and issue a new passport. She was told by the Ukrainian passport authority that no it is not a mistake and that the correct translation of her name into English is Olha and to not worry about it.

Now we come to the K1 Visa application and there is a possible discrepancy between her name on her birth certificate and the new "Ukrainian translation". Has anyone ever heard of this problem? If so what have you done about it? I don't want to wait the long months until the interview and get sent to the back of the line because of some simple miscue.

Is this a legitimate problem? Is the Ukrainian passport authority just being lazy?

Thanks

[ML]

My wife's name is not Olga, however she had a similar issue in that she has a 'g' in her name that Ukraine now wants to change to 'h.'

She told them she did not want the h.
After some back and forth and talk with supervisor, she signed something about wanting to keep the g, and they issued her biometric passport with the g.
She was there physically, so may be more difficult if trying to do by mail or . . . .
Just checked with her.  There is a standard form for this procedure.

[scarface816]

Thanks for the help. I think I am getting the picture now. It looks like from other research I did that it is not such a big problem. The Embassy understands the transliteration issue of G to H.

[tfcrew]

Another hurdle with the translation would be the marriage license. The state will go with the birth certificate translation. However the resident card will go with the paperwork [I129] you filled out and a visa was accepted in that spelling. Confused? The Ukrainian language confounds the simpler Russian transliteration and boggles the mind.
You should have a letter from a certified translator that explains this. At least that was our experience.

[scarface816]

haha yes I am confused but your instructions are very clear and are helping me.

When you say, "certified translator". What do you mean? Is there someplace where you find certified translators?

I have already hired a translator on Upwork who is very good and lives in her city and did all the original forms on the translator's computer. So this part worked out well.

[Wayne]

This is a very common problem. For example:

Russian translation:  Oksana

Ukrainian translation:  Oxana

Russian translation:  Svetlana

Ukrainian translation: Svitlana

Lyudmyla or Ludmila

and so on

[tfcrew]

I have already hired a translator on Upwork who is very good and lives in her city and did all the original forms on the translator's computer. 

  Then they would stamp a seal showing certification [like a notary] and you should be good to go.
 

[Wayne]

If I remember, there is a place on the form where you enter the name in the Ukrainian alphabet, which should match exactly what is on the birth certificate.

The future "green card" will have the name that is on the Ukrainian passport and USA visa.

Of course, she may change her last name at the possible wedding.