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Stanford translation standard
Literal, complete English translations alongside original-language documents. Self-translation not accepted at any level.
University translation requirements
Stanford Translation Requirements
Stanford requires literal, complete English translations. Undergraduate: by school official or English teacher. Graduate: by institution or professional service. Self-translation not accepted. WES evaluation typically only after admission — not during application.
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Requirements coverage
Covers undergraduate vs graduate translation standards
Submission guidance
Clarifies that WES evaluation is typically post-admission — reducing applicant stress
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This page explains Stanford-facing translation workflow. It is not admissions advice.
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Stanford University document workflow
Stanford Translation Requirements: What the University Expects
Stanford requires certified English translations of all non-English academic documents. The core standard is the same for all applicants: translations must be literal, complete versions of the original academic records. Both the original-language documents and the English translations must be submitted together.
The translator restriction differs by level. For undergraduate applicants, an English teacher or school official at the applicant's school can provide the translation. For graduate applicants, the translation must come from the educational institution itself or from a professional translation service. In neither case is self-translation accepted.
Stanford's approach to credential evaluation is notably different from peer institutions. While Columbia requires WES ICAP during the application and NYU Gallatin requires evaluation at submission, Stanford typically requests WES evaluation only after a student has been admitted and accepted. This reduces the upfront complexity for applicants.
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Undergraduate translator
Translation by an English teacher or school official. Does not need to be from a professional translation service.
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Graduate translator
Translation from the educational institution or a professional translation service. Literal and complete versions required.
Stanford requires your certified translation to include:
- Literal, complete translation of the entire academic record
- Courses completed, grades received, duration of study, degrees awarded
- Original grading scales preserved — no conversion to U.S. GPA
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and institutional markings translated
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy (graduate applications)
School-by-school requirements
Stanford: Undergraduate vs Graduate Translation Standards
Stanford's undergraduate and graduate admissions have slightly different translation expectations. Understanding the difference helps you prepare the right level of documentation.
For undergraduates, the translation requirement is more flexible. Stanford accepts translations from an English teacher or school official at the applicant's high school. This is a lower bar than most graduate programs and reflects Stanford's understanding that high school students may not have easy access to professional translation services. However, a professional certified translation also satisfies this requirement and provides a more reliable, complete result.
For graduate applicants, the standard is higher. Translations must come from the educational institution or a professional translation service. They must be literal and complete — no summaries, no paraphrasing. Graduate applications also involve a stronger possibility of post-admission WES evaluation, so having a professional certified translation from the start positions you for both the application and any future evaluation requirement.
Stanford translation requirements — undergraduate vs graduate
Stanford follows a simpler structure than Ivy League schools. The main difference is the translator requirement and WES timing.
1Who can translate
- Undergraduate
- English teacher or school official
- Graduate
- Educational institution or professional translation service
2Self-translation
- Undergraduate
- Not accepted
- Graduate
- Not accepted
3Credential evaluation
- Undergraduate
- Not required
- Graduate
- WES Document-by-Document ICAP may be required post-admission
4When evaluation is needed
- Undergraduate
- N/A
- Graduate
- After admission and acceptance — not during application
5WES cost
- Undergraduate
- N/A
- Graduate
- Approximately $220 USD (Document-by-Document ICAP)
6Application-stage documents
- Undergraduate
- Official transcripts sent by school official
- Graduate
- Unofficial transcripts uploaded; official required after admission
| Aspect | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Who can translate | English teacher or school official | Educational institution or professional translation service |
| Self-translation | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| Credential evaluation | Not required | WES Document-by-Document ICAP may be required post-admission |
| When evaluation is needed | N/A | After admission and acceptance — not during application |
| WES cost | N/A | Approximately $220 USD (Document-by-Document ICAP) |
| Application-stage documents | Official transcripts sent by school official | Unofficial transcripts uploaded; official required after admission |
A professional certified translation satisfies both undergraduate and graduate standards. It also works for any post-admission WES evaluation.
What a complete translation includes
- Literal, word-for-word rendering — no summaries or paraphrasing
- Original document layout preserved — tables, columns, page order
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and institutional markings translated
- Original grading scale preserved (no conversion to U.S. GPA)
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy with translator credentials (graduate)
How to Submit Your Translation to Stanford
Stanford's process is simpler than most peer institutions because credential evaluation is typically post-admission. Focus on getting the translation right and submitting it with your application.
- Step 1
Determine if you need undergraduate or graduate translation
Undergraduate applications accept translations from school officials. Graduate applications require professional translation. Both require literal, complete translations alongside original-language documents.
- Step 2
Get your certified English translation
Have your academic documents translated. For graduate applications, use a professional translation service that provides a signed Certificate of Accuracy. The translation must cover all courses, grades, duration of study, and degrees awarded.
- Step 3
Upload through the Stanford application portal
Submit both the original-language documents and the English translation through the application portal. For undergraduate, official transcripts must be sent directly by a school official. For graduate, unofficial transcripts are sufficient at the application stage.
- Step 4
Submit official documents if admitted
If admitted and you accept, Stanford may request official transcripts and degree conferral documents. Submit these through the channels Stanford specifies.
- Step 5
Complete WES evaluation if requested (graduate only)
If Stanford requests a WES Document-by-Document ICAP evaluation after admission, apply through WES and list "Stanford Graduate Admissions" as the recipient. Upload the same certified translation you used for the application. Stanford does not provide financial support for WES evaluations, though some programs may include a stipend.
Planning timeline
- 01
01
Our certified translation
about 24 hours for standard academic records
- 02
02
WES Document-by-Document ICAP
typically 2–4 weeks (if requested post-admission)
- 03
03
Application deadlines vary by program — check Stanford-specific dates
Avoid These Errors
Why Stanford Flags Translated Documents — and How to Avoid It
Stanford document issues are less complex than at more fragmented universities. Most problems involve translation completeness or self-translation.
1Self-translated documents
What happens
Stanford admissions requests a new translation from an approved source.
Why it happens
Applicants translate their own documents. Stanford does not accept self-translation for either undergraduate or graduate applications.
Safer approach
Every translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy identifying the translator as an independent professional.
2Incomplete or summarized translation
What happens
Stanford cannot verify the complete academic record.
Why it happens
Translators summarize content, skip institutional notes, or omit seals and annotations.
Safer approach
We translate every element: full text, grades, course titles, institutional notes, seals, stamps, and signatures — literal and complete.
3Missing original-language documents
What happens
Stanford cannot cross-reference the translation with the original.
Why it happens
Applicants submit only the English translation without the original-language version.
Safer approach
We deliver translations clearly labeled for pairing with originals and include a reminder to submit both together.
4Grade conversion
What happens
Stanford evaluators cannot assess the original academic system.
Why it happens
Translators convert grades to U.S. GPA. This is the evaluator's job.
Safer approach
We preserve original grading scales. Stanford provides the equivalency interpretation.
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Translation Cost for Stanford Application
Stanford applicants benefit from a simpler cost structure than many peer schools because WES evaluation is typically post-admission rather than during application.
Our certified translation
$24.95/page
True flat rate — no word-count multipliers, no per-page surprises.
Typical for this case
$49.90–$149.70
Most Stanford-bound academic sets: 2 to 6 pages
- Signed and stamped Certificate of Accuracy
- Prepared for Stanford University translation requirements
- Exact structure preserved — word-for-word translation
- Free translation-related revisions
Start at $24.95/page
Pay only after you review the quote
Potential additional costs
Some Stanford University programs use an external evaluator or verification provider. These fees are separate from your CertTranslate order.
WES Document-by-Document ICAP: approximately $220 USD (if requested post-admission)
Stanford undergraduate: no credential evaluation — translation only
Stanford does not provide financial support for WES evaluations
Paid directly to the named evaluator or institution and not included in your CertTranslate checkout.
Typical end-to-end scenarios
- Application stage (undergraduate or graduate): $49.90 to $149.70 (translation only)
- Post-admission with WES evaluation: $269.90 to $369.70 (translation + WES ICAP)
- One certified translation works for the Stanford application AND any future WES evaluation
- • WES fees are approximate and subject to change.
- • Many Stanford admitted students never need WES — it is requested selectively.
- • Review current translation pricing at /pricing.
Common Questions About Stanford Translation Requirements
Does Stanford accept certified translation?
Yes. Stanford accepts certified translations from professional translation services. For undergraduate applications, translations from a school official or English teacher are also accepted. Self-translation is not permitted.
Does Stanford require WES evaluation?
Stanford may request a WES Document-by-Document ICAP evaluation, but typically only after a graduate student has been admitted and accepted — not during the application process. Stanford evaluates international credentials internally for admission decisions. Many admitted students are never asked for WES.
Can I translate my own documents for Stanford?
No. Stanford does not accept self-translation. For undergraduate, an English teacher or school official must translate. For graduate, the educational institution or a professional translation service must provide the translation.
When should I get my Stanford translation done?
Get the certified translation before you start the application. Stanford requires both original-language documents and English translations submitted together. Our turnaround is about 24 hours for standard academic records — well within any application timeline.
Does Stanford require credential evaluation during the application?
No. Unlike Columbia (WES ICAP required at application) or NYU Gallatin (evaluation at submission), Stanford evaluates credentials internally during admissions. WES evaluation is only potentially requested after admission and acceptance.
Can I use the same translation for Stanford and WES?
Yes. If Stanford requests WES evaluation after admission, you submit the same certified translation you used for the application. No retranslation needed.
How much does Stanford WES evaluation cost?
The WES Document-by-Document ICAP evaluation costs approximately $220 USD. Stanford does not provide financial support for this, though some graduate programs may include a stipend for new international students. This cost is only relevant if Stanford requests evaluation after admission.
Sources & review methodology
2 official sources · reviewed March 14, 2026View sources
Requirements were checked against the official guidance linked below. Confirm the current instructions for your program before submitting.
| Official source | What we verified | Official guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Official sourceStanford UniversityStanford undergraduate admissions — international applicant requirements | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceStanford UniversityStanford graduate admissions — transcript and credential requirements | What we verified
| Open source |
Stanford University application translation
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- Prepared for Stanford University applications
- Exact structure and word-for-word translation
- Free translation-related revisions
We are not affiliated with Stanford University. We provide certified translation that meets Stanford admissions standards.