Certified Translation of Diplomas and University Degrees
Every year, hundreds of thousands of internationally educated professionals and students need their diplomas and university degrees translated into English. Whether you are applying to a graduate program in the United States, seeking professional licensure, or going through the immigration process, a certified and notarized translation of your academic credentials is almost always required — and getting it right matters more than you might think.
Why Do Diplomas and Degrees Need Certified Translation?
Official academic documents issued in a language other than English are not accepted at face value by U.S. institutions and government agencies. A certified and notarized translation serves as a legally recognized English-language equivalent of your original document. Here are the most common scenarios that require one:
University Admissions
U.S. colleges and universities require English translations of all foreign academic records as part of the admissions process. Graduate schools, in particular, often require both the diploma and full transcripts to be translated and submitted alongside a credential evaluation report.
Credential Evaluation Agencies
Organizations such as World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and other NACES members evaluate foreign degrees to determine their U.S. equivalency. These agencies require certified and notarized translations of every document you submit — including diplomas, degree certificates, transcripts, and sometimes even course descriptions. Submitting an inaccurate or incomplete translation can delay your evaluation by weeks.
Employment and Professional Licensing
Many regulated professions — nursing, engineering, medicine, law, accounting — require proof of foreign education as part of the licensing process. State licensing boards typically accept only certified translations prepared by a professional translation service.
Immigration (USCIS)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires that all foreign-language documents submitted with visa petitions, adjustment of status applications, and naturalization filings be accompanied by a certified English translation. Academic documents are among the most commonly translated records in immigration cases.
What Credential Evaluation Agencies Expect
WES, ECE, and other NACES-member agencies have specific requirements that go beyond a simple word-for-word translation. They expect:
At Link Translations, we have been preparing translations for credential evaluation agencies since 1995 and understand exactly what each organization requires for acceptance.
The Challenges of Translating Foreign Academic Documents
Academic translation is more nuanced than it appears. Several factors make diplomas and transcripts among the more complex documents to translate accurately:
Degree Nomenclature Varies by Country
A degree title in one country does not always have a direct English equivalent. A Licenciatura from Mexico or Brazil, a Baccalauréat from France, a Laurea from Italy, or a Diplom from Germany each carry different academic weight and meaning. Translators must render these titles accurately without misrepresenting the credential. For example, translating academic records from Latin American institutions often requires familiarity with Spanish-language academic conventions, while Vietnamese academic documents follow an entirely different structure and grading framework.
Grading Systems Differ
A 16 out of 20 in France, a 7.5 out of 10 in India, or a "Distinction" in the UK system cannot simply be converted to an American GPA. The translator's role is to translate the grades exactly as they appear, leaving interpretation to the credential evaluator.
Transcripts, Course Descriptions, and Supplements
Some evaluation agencies or universities request translated course descriptions or diploma supplements in addition to transcripts. These documents tend to be lengthy and highly technical, requiring subject-matter familiarity across disciplines ranging from engineering to humanities.
Older Documents and Handwritten Records
Degrees issued decades ago — or in countries that have since changed their educational systems — may be handwritten, partially illegible, or formatted in ways that no longer match current standards. Experienced translators know how to handle these edge cases while maintaining accuracy.
How the Process Works
Getting your diploma and transcripts translated is straightforward:
Turnaround Time
A single diploma can typically be translated within one to two business days. Full transcripts with multiple pages may take two to four business days depending on length, language, and document condition. Rush services are available when deadlines are tight — contact us for a quote with your timeline and we will accommodate your needs.
Why Accuracy Matters
A rejected translation means resubmission, additional fees, and lost time. Credential evaluation agencies will return files that contain errors, omissions, or formatting that does not meet their standards. Working with a professional translation service that specializes in academic documents eliminates that risk.
Link Translations has provided certified and notarized translations of academic credentials for over 30 years. We work with every major credential evaluation agency, dozens of universities, and immigration attorneys across the country. Every translation is handled by a linguist with subject-matter expertise and reviewed for accuracy before delivery.
Need your diploma or transcripts translated? Get a quote today and receive your certified translation as fast as the next business day.