FCSA Translation Requirements
Disinterested Third Party | Spanish Exception | Fast Processing | Affordable Evaluation
FCSA requires certified English translations from a qualified, disinterested third party. Spanish documents are an exception — applicants can self-translate. FCSA does not offer translation services. FCSA is not a NACES member.
Reviewed by Elena Sokolova
Senior Academic Credential Translation Strategist
“FCSA is the fastest and cheapest evaluator for institutions that accept it. The key question is always whether your receiving institution accepts non-NACES evaluations. If yes, FCSA plus our 24-hour translation is the fastest path from untranslated documents to completed evaluation.”
Translate for Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA)
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FCSA Translation Requirements: What the Foreign Credentials Service Expects
FCSA requires that all academic documents not in English be accompanied by a certified English translation performed by a qualified, disinterested third party. FCSA defines acceptable third parties as professional translation companies, universities, and government agencies. The applicant, their family members, and close associates are not considered disinterested and their translations will not be accepted — with one exception.
The exception is for Spanish-language documents. FCSA allows applicants to provide their own English translation of Spanish-language academic records. This is unique among credential evaluators and reflects FCSA's focus on Latin American academic credentials. Even when self-translating Spanish documents, the translation must be complete and word-for-word.
FCSA does not provide its own translation services. This is different from SpanTran, which offers in-house translation as an add-on. With FCSA, you must arrive with a completed translation already in hand. Our recommendation is to have the translation ready before you submit the FCSA application so everything arrives in one packet and processing can start immediately.
FCSA requires your certified translation to include:
- Complete word-for-word translation of every visible element on the original document
- Translation from a qualified, disinterested third party (not the applicant, except for Spanish)
- Original grading scales, degree titles, and academic terminology preserved exactly
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and institutional markings translated or described
- Translator identification showing independence from the applicant
Official Callouts
FCSA translation standard
FCSA requires certified English translations from a qualified, disinterested third party: a professional translation company, university, or government agency.
Spanish document exception
FCSA allows applicants to provide their own English translation for Spanish-language documents only. All other languages require disinterested third-party translation.
No in-house translation
FCSA does not offer English translation services. You must provide a completed translation with your application.
FCSA vs NACES-Member Evaluators: When It Matters
FCSA is not a member of NACES. This is the single most important thing to verify before you choose FCSA: check whether your receiving institution accepts FCSA evaluations. Some schools, employers, and licensing boards specifically require evaluations from a NACES-member agency. If yours does, FCSA will not satisfy the requirement regardless of how accurate the evaluation is.
When FCSA does work, it offers practical advantages over most NACES members. FCSA pricing is among the lowest in the industry: $85 for a General evaluation and $150 for a Detailed Course-by-Course. Standard processing is approximately 10 working days, with rush options as fast as next-day. For organizations that accept FCSA, the combination of price and speed is hard to beat.
From a translation perspective, the requirements are comparable. FCSA expects complete, word-for-word translations from a disinterested third party — which is essentially the same standard that NACES members apply. A certified translation formatted for FCSA will also work for WES, ECE, and any NACES member if you later need an additional evaluation from a different agency.
Standard Requirements
- Word-for-word rendering — no summaries or paraphrasing
- Original document layout preserved — tables, columns, page order
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and margin notes translated
- Original grading scale preserved (no conversion to U.S. equivalents)
- Translator identified as a disinterested third party on the Certificate of Accuracy
FCSA vs NACES evaluators — key differences
This comparison helps you decide whether FCSA fits your situation. The critical factor is whether your receiving institution accepts non-NACES evaluations.
| Aspect | FCSA | NACES members (WES, ECE, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| NACES membership | Not a NACES member | NACES members — accepted by institutions requiring NACES evaluations |
| General evaluation fee | $85 USD | $100–$200+ USD depending on agency |
| Course-by-Course fee | $150 USD | $186–$199+ USD depending on agency |
| Standard processing | ~10 working days | 5 business days (ECE) to 4 weeks (WES) |
| Rush options | 3-day ($75) or next-day ($195) | Varies — typically $75–$250 additional |
| Translation policy | Disinterested third party (Spanish self-translation allowed) | Varies — WES requires professional; ECE allows self-prepared or waiver |
If your institution accepts FCSA, it is the most affordable evaluator with among the fastest turnaround. If your institution requires NACES, you must use a NACES member like WES or ECE.
How to Submit Your Translation to FCSA
FCSA uses a mail-based application process. Everything goes in one packet: application form, original documents, translation, and payment. Getting it right the first time avoids return shipping delays.
Download and complete the FCSA application form
Download the application from foreigncredentials.org. Fill out your personal information, educational history, and the evaluation type your receiving institution requires: General Statement of Equivalency ($85) or Detailed Evaluation of Coursework ($150).
Prepare your certified English translation
FCSA requires translations from a qualified, disinterested third party. If your documents are in Spanish, you may self-translate. For all other languages, use a professional translation provider. FCSA does not offer its own translation services. The translation must be complete, word-for-word, and include translator identification.
Assemble your complete submission packet
Include in one mailing: the completed application form, original or certified copies of your academic documents, the certified English translation, and payment (check or money order). Do not send documents separately — FCSA processes everything together.
Mail the packet to FCSA
Send the complete packet to FCSA. Applications received after 2:00 PM CST are counted as the following business day. If you need your original documents returned, include the $60 return fee for international addresses.
Wait for processing and receive the evaluation report
Standard processing takes approximately 10 working days from the date FCSA receives your complete packet. Rush service completes in 3 working days for an additional $75. Next-day service is available for an additional $195. Processing time begins when FCSA has the complete application, all documents, and full payment.
Timeline
- FCSA standard processing: approximately 10 working days
- FCSA rush processing: 3 working days ($75 additional)
- FCSA next-day processing: 1 working day ($195 additional)
- Applications received after 2:00 PM CST: counted as next business day
- Our certified translation: about 24 hours for standard academic records
Pro Tip
FCSA is the fastest evaluator when you use rush or next-day service. Pair it with our 24-hour translation turnaround and you can go from untranslated documents to completed evaluation in under a week — assuming your receiving institution accepts FCSA.
Why FCSA Rejects Translations — and How to Avoid It
FCSA rejections are straightforward and usually caused by one of three issues: the translator is not considered a disinterested third party, the translation is incomplete, or the packet was submitted without all required components.
1Translation from an interested party
What happens
FCSA returns the application because the translator is not considered disinterested.
Why it happens
The applicant translated their own non-Spanish documents, or a family member or close friend provided the translation.
How we prevent it
Every translation we deliver includes a Certificate of Accuracy identifying the translator as an independent professional with no personal interest in the evaluation outcome.
2Incomplete translation — summary instead of word-for-word
What happens
FCSA cannot process the evaluation because the translation does not cover all elements on the original document.
Why it happens
Casual translators or free services summarize content or skip institutional markings, seals, and other non-text elements.
How we prevent it
We translate every visible element: full text, course titles, institutional phrasing, seals, stamps, signatures, and margin notes — word-for-word, no summaries.
3Missing components in the submission packet
What happens
FCSA cannot start processing because the packet is incomplete.
Why it happens
Applicants forget to include the application form, payment, or the translation along with the original documents.
How we prevent it
We include a pre-submission checklist with every delivery so applicants can verify their packet is complete before mailing.
4Grade or degree conversion in the translation
What happens
FCSA evaluators flag the translation because academic meaning has been altered.
Why it happens
Translators convert grade percentages to U.S. GPA or rewrite degree titles into American equivalents.
How we prevent it
We preserve original grading systems and degree titles exactly as issued. FCSA evaluators provide the U.S. equivalency analysis in their report.
Translation Cost for FCSA Submission
FCSA is the most affordable credential evaluator for applicants whose receiving institution accepts non-NACES evaluations. Understanding translation plus evaluation costs together shows the total investment.
Certified Translation
Starting Rate
Typical Total (Most FCSA-bound academic sets: 2 to 4 pages)
$59.90–$119.80
Pay only after you review the quote
Institution / WES Specific Fees
Typical Subtotals
- • FCSA fees are subject to change. Verify at foreigncredentials.org.
- • FCSA does not offer translation services — you must provide your own.
- • If your institution later requires a NACES evaluation, the same certified translation works for WES, ECE, and all NACES members.
- • Review current translation pricing at /pricing before placing the order.
Common Questions About FCSA Translation Requirements
Does FCSA accept certified translation?
Yes. FCSA accepts certified translations from professional translation providers. FCSA specifically requires translations from a qualified, disinterested third party — defined as a professional translation company, university, or government agency. The applicant and their family members are not considered disinterested parties, with the exception of Spanish-language documents where applicants may self-translate.
Is FCSA a NACES member?
No. FCSA (Foreign Credentials Service of America) is not a member of NACES. This is the most important thing to verify before choosing FCSA: check whether your receiving institution specifically requires a NACES-member evaluation. If it does, you will need to use a NACES member like WES, ECE, or SpanTran instead. Many schools and employers accept FCSA evaluations, but some do not.
Can I translate my own Spanish documents for FCSA?
Yes. FCSA makes a unique exception for Spanish-language documents: applicants are allowed to provide their own English translation. This is the only language for which self-translation is permitted. For all other languages, the translation must come from a qualified, disinterested third party. Even when self-translating Spanish documents, the translation must be complete and word-for-word.
How much does FCSA evaluation cost?
FCSA is one of the most affordable credential evaluators. A General Statement of Equivalency costs $85. A Detailed Evaluation of Coursework costs $150. Rush service (3 working days) adds $75. Next-day service adds $195. Additional copies cost $25 each. Original document return to international addresses costs $60. All fees must be submitted with the application.
How long does FCSA take to process an evaluation?
Standard FCSA processing takes approximately 10 working days from the date they receive your complete packet — application, documents, translation, and payment. Rush service completes in 3 working days for $75 additional. Next-day service is available for $195 additional. Applications received after 2:00 PM CST are counted as the following business day.
Does FCSA offer translation services?
No. FCSA does not provide English translation services. You must provide a completed certified translation when you submit your application. This is different from SpanTran, which offers in-house translation as an add-on. For FCSA submissions, have your translation ready before mailing your application packet.
Can I use the same translation for FCSA and WES?
Yes. A certified translation formatted to meet FCSA disinterested third-party requirements will also satisfy WES, ECE, and every NACES member. The translation standards are comparable across all evaluators. If your receiving institution later requires a NACES evaluation, you will not need a new translation — only a new evaluation from the appropriate agency.
Related Pages
Other credential evaluator guides
WES translation requirements
WES-specific translation formatting, sender routes, and portal submission.
ECE translation requirements
ECE Translation Waiver, self-prepared translation rules, and submission steps.
NACES translation requirements
How NACES membership affects evaluator choice and shared standards.
SpanTran translation requirements
SpanTran in-house translation and Document Verification Service.
Relevant guides
Relevant documents and languages
Ready to submit to FCSA?
We format translations to meet FCSA disinterested third-party requirements: word-for-word rendering, preserved document layout, and a Certificate of Accuracy from an independent professional translator.
We are not affiliated with FCSA or the Foreign Credentials Service of America. We provide certified translation that meets FCSA disinterested third-party translation requirements.