Job Discussion Forums

[czechchick123]

Hi. I have read through a lot of the posts and it appears that I will need to have original or notarized copies of my birth certificate, high school diploma, and college diploma, as well as Czech translations.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to do this in/from New York? Also, will a US notary be accepted on copies? Also, are you aware of any other documents I should obtain ahead of time? Thanks for all of your help!

[spiral78]

The U.S. notarization will be fine (in fact, necessary, as a Czech notary can't attest that the U.S. documents are authentic! - only that a translation is accurate).

Assuming that you will be arriving in the CR as a 'tourist,' you shouldn't actually need to have any documents translated in advance. There are mulitple offices in Prague offering this service, and you won't need the documents translated until you (or your employer on your behalf) applies for legal work papers.

I'm assuming that you'll be looking for a job when you get here. If this is true, you have three months before you have to be concerned about your legal status in the country. Even if you are arriving with a job offer or contract already in hand (very rare case!) you still have the 90 days to make your application. If you did already have a contract, you should ask your potential employer if it's important to have your documents translated in advance, but even in this case, I'm pretty sure that the translation would be far more easily done in Prague, and the time frame should pose no problems at all.

You might bring your health/vaccination record (probably won't be requested by authorities, but in case of some health issue or needed vaccinations while you are here).

[zewd]

I came to the CZ with notarized photocopies of all my diplomas and an official copy of my birth certificate. Was told that my documents had to be notarized by a Czech official to verify accurate translation. Was told by Czech notary that she could not notarize my documents. Took documents to second notary, got stamps and signatures.

The impression I got was that the bureucratic process in the CZ depends on who you talk to and what mood they're in.

Getting a document translated to Czech in America is possible, but probably expensive and a pain. It's easy in the CZ (get it done outside of Prague if possible, you'll get it done for half or less of the price.)

Also, keep in mind that you have to have a copy of a lease agreement for a Czech apartment before you can get a visa. So even if you can find a job willing to sponsor you for a visa from this side of the Atlantic, you'll have to find an apartment from here too, which is probably even more difficult.

I didn't need any American medical records for my visa, but I did have to visit a Czech doctor for a certificate that I was fit to work- this cost me 300 kc in Ceske Budejovice, and cost a friend 2000 kc in Prague... costs will vary greatly depending on your location.

Best of luck

[Chris Westergaard]

Getting your papers can be pretty tough.

Regarding your birth certificate you have to

1. Have an orginal or a notorized copy - however, the original is the best

2. Have this Notorized again when in Prague

3. Take this notorized copy to an official translating company

4. Take the translated copy back and get the new Czech copy notorized again.

These processes are very difficult and this is only one of the many steps of getting complete legal papers. If you decide to try to get completely legal or get a zivnostensky, there is no way you can do it on your own. None of these people will speak English at all and most will most likey be a bit cort with you - especially the police. Get someone to help or go through a service. If you have one stamp wrong, they will deny you. It is a very stressful process

Cheers

[czechchick123]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies and advice. All information has been VERY helpful! It makes my "big move" a little less stressful. Thanks again!

[johnnyappleseed]

Some offices will require more than just run-of-the-mill notarization. Some require an apostille which is a sort of super-notarization that works internationally.
Some require none.
I think the tranlations always have to be done by an "official" translator though.
Others don't know what an apostille is. Each bureaucratic office in each area/town tends to interpret the law a little differently. It's best to call(or have a Czech call) the one you'll be applying at(the foreign police or the Urad Prace) and ask them.
Do it more than once and make sure the Czech calling asks for extensive clarification on what they want.

[Sigma]