1
Current official WES rule
WES says translations must be exact, word-for-word, clear, legible, and completed by a professional translator.
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Certified Translation Services for WES
If your WES account asks for a translation, we prepare a complete, word-for-word academic translation with preserved tables, seals, notes, and a signed Certificate of Accuracy. WES U.S. uses English; WES Canada accepts English or French.
WES-bound academic translation in 24 hours
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Separates WES translation rules from WES sender-route rules
Submission guidance
Focused on receiver-side review, not generic academic translation advice
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CertTranslate is independent and is not affiliated with World Education Services. WES has final authority over document and translation acceptance.
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WES Translation Requirements: What WES Requires for Translated Documents
WES says translation is not necessary in most cases, and applicants should first check the Required Documents list in their account. If a translation is requested, WES gives three firm rules: it must be exact and word-for-word, clear and legible, and completed by a professional translator. WES also says it does not accept applicant-completed, handwritten, or incomplete translations, and recommends giving the translator access to official documents rather than relying on an unofficial version that may not match.
The other part of WES translation requirements is document scope. For completed academic files, WES commonly needs both the academic record and the final credential evidence shown in the country instructions, not just one page from the set. The India page, for example, expects year-wise or semester-wise mark sheets plus a final or provisional degree certificate. The China page separates academic transcripts from degree-certificate routing, which is another reminder that sending only a diploma or only a transcript is often not enough for a completed degree evaluation.
WES also draws a clear line between translation and source-document routing. The translation itself can be uploaded through the WES account when requested, but the official academic documents may still need to come directly from the issuing institution or an approved country sender. That is why a complete WES submission plan always answers two questions at once: what must be translated, and what must be sent directly to WES through the route listed in your required documents.
2
Current official WES caution
WES says unofficial documents or student copies may not match the official versions, so the translator should work from official documents.
3
U.S. versus Canada
For WES evaluations processed in the United States, non-English records need English translation. For WES Canada, records not in English or French need English or French translation.
WES requires your translation package to include:
- Complete word-for-word translation of every visible element
- Typed, clear, legible English text that preserves the original academic meaning
- Professional translator handling rather than applicant-made translation
- Full coverage of tables, seals, signatures, legends, and notes
- Correct pairing with the country-specific sender route for the official academic record
School-by-school requirements
Translation Formatting WES Expects
WES does not publish a decorative template for academic translations, but the safest WES translation format is operationally consistent. Based on our experience with evaluator review, the English file should mirror the source layout closely enough that a reviewer can compare page to page without hunting for fields. That means keeping transcript tables as tables, preserving subject order, carrying grading legends forward, and translating every stamp, signature line, and institutional note that affects interpretation.
Just as important, do not modernize the academic record inside the translation. WES provides the equivalency opinion in its report. Its current report guidance says a Course-by-Course evaluation includes subject-by-subject analysis, converted semester credits, and GPA on a 4.0 scale. That is exactly why the translation itself should not convert a 20-point, 10-point, percentage, or local descriptor system into U.S. GPA terms. Preserve the original grading scale in English and let WES do the evaluator work in the report.
The format should also stay upload-ready. WES says translations can be uploaded in the account as PDF or JPEG, the file size cannot exceed 10 MB, and password-protected PDFs are not accepted. In practice, that means the cleanest WES certified translation package is one source page matched to one translated page wherever possible, with a separate certification page if the packet runs longer.
Original CertTranslate sample
See what a complete academic translation package looks like
A useful sample should show the deliverable, not decorate the page. This Spanish-to-English diploma package demonstrates the two files a reviewer needs to compare: a structured translation of the academic record and a separate signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy.
- Preserve transcript tables and page order instead of flattening them into prose
- Translate grading legends, registrar notes, and institutional seals in full
- Keep the original grade scale exactly as issued
- Use clear typed English, not handwritten or low-quality scans
- Match translation pages to the source set so WES can compare quickly
WES report types, explained visually
What does a WES report contain?
Your certified translation makes the academic record readable; WES chooses the evaluation output based on the report ordered. These original diagrams show the difference without reproducing a real applicant report.
Document-by-Document Evaluation
This is a credential-level report. It identifies and describes each submitted credential and gives its U.S. or Canadian education equivalency.
- Credential name and description
- Requirements for entry and program length
- U.S. or Canadian education equivalency
Best for: Employment, U.S. immigration, and first-year admission when the receiving institution confirms this report is sufficient.
Verify the report type on WES
CPA Supplemental Report
This specialized report adds analysis of business and accounting courses for state boards of accountancy. It is not the standard report for general admission or employment.
- Business and accounting course analysis
- Coursework grouped for CPA board review
- A supplemental view tailored to professional licensing
Best for: CPA examination or licensing applications when the specific state board accepts a WES evaluation.
Check CPA requirements on WESOriginal CertTranslate explanatory graphics—not official WES sample reports. Report requirements and acceptance vary by institution, employer, immigration pathway, or state board; confirm the required report before ordering.
Clear division of work
Translation and credential evaluation are different jobs
The translation should make the original record readable without changing its academic meaning. WES then applies its own evaluation methodology to that faithful record.
CertTranslate translates
- Course names, grades, credits, dates, and degree titles as issued
- Seals, stamps, signatures, legends, notes, and reverse-side text
- A signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy with the delivery package
WES evaluates
- U.S. or Canadian credential equivalency
- Converted credits, grades, and GPA when included in the report type
- Document authenticity, institutional status, and the final evaluation report
Certified or notarized for WES?
WES publishes a professional-translator requirement: the translation must be exact, complete, clear, and not completed by the applicant. Notarization is a separate identity-verification step, not a substitute for translation quality.
Professional certified translation
- When to use it
- Use it when your WES required-documents list asks for a translation.
- What it proves
- The signer attests that the translation is complete and accurate and identifies the responsible translator or provider.
Notarization
- When to use it
- Add it only when your own WES instructions or another downstream recipient explicitly asks for it.
- What it proves
- A notary verifies the signer's identity; the notary does not evaluate the translation or the academic credential.
Current WES sender-route examples that affect how translation for WES is prepared
These current examples come from official WES country pages and show why translation planning has to follow sender routing. Other countries can use different routes, so always check the required-documents list in your own WES account.
1India - degree-granting institution
- Current WES sender route
- WES says consolidated transcripts or yearly mark sheets can be accepted when issued by the degree-granting institution and sent in a sealed envelope or through an established digital partnership.
- Why it matters for the translation
- Translate the same complete credential set: the degree or provisional certificate plus the marksheets required for the applicant’s education history.
2India - verification services
- Current WES sender route
- Current WES guidance also describes NSDC digital-wallet verification and Qualification Check as possible routes, depending on the applicant and institution.
- Why it matters for the translation
- Follow the route shown for the specific account; the translation and verified academic record should describe the same credential, names, and dates.
3China - CSSD verification
- Current WES sender route
- WES uses the current Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) process for Chinese higher-education credential verification; CHESICC is the former name still seen in older instructions.
- Why it matters for the translation
- Keep course names, hours, grades, document numbers, and transcript legends consistent with the record submitted through the current verification process.
4Any country - account-specific route
- Current WES sender route
- WES document requirements vary by country, credential, institution, completion status, and report destination.
- Why it matters for the translation
- Treat the Required Documents list in the WES account as the final routing instruction rather than relying on a generic country article alone.
| Country or scenario | Current WES sender route | Why it matters for the translation |
|---|---|---|
| India - degree-granting institution | WES says consolidated transcripts or yearly mark sheets can be accepted when issued by the degree-granting institution and sent in a sealed envelope or through an established digital partnership. | Translate the same complete credential set: the degree or provisional certificate plus the marksheets required for the applicant’s education history. |
| India - verification services | Current WES guidance also describes NSDC digital-wallet verification and Qualification Check as possible routes, depending on the applicant and institution. | Follow the route shown for the specific account; the translation and verified academic record should describe the same credential, names, and dates. |
| China - CSSD verification | WES uses the current Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) process for Chinese higher-education credential verification; CHESICC is the former name still seen in older instructions. | Keep course names, hours, grades, document numbers, and transcript legends consistent with the record submitted through the current verification process. |
| Any country - account-specific route | WES document requirements vary by country, credential, institution, completion status, and report destination. | Treat the Required Documents list in the WES account as the final routing instruction rather than relying on a generic country article alone. |
If your school or country has a different route, treat that route as the source of truth and adapt the translation set to it before upload.
How to Submit Your Translation to WES
The fastest WES workflow separates the application step, the sender-route step, and the translation-upload step. When those get mixed together, missing documents surface late and the evaluation timeline stretches for reasons that look mysterious from the applicant side.
- Step 1
Submit the WES application and pay so the reference number is created
WES says its new portal issues a 10-character alphanumeric reference number after payment is completed and received. Save it because WES communications and some sender workflows ask for it.
- Step 2
Read the required-documents list before ordering or uploading anything
Use the WES account list to confirm what WES expects for your country, your institution, and your report type. This is where you find out whether WES wants a direct sender route, a translation upload, or both.
- Step 3
Prepare the academic translation from the official document set
Send the translator the same official transcript, marksheet, and diploma pages that match the sender route. Do not work from cropped student copies if the official version has more detail or different wording.
- Step 4
Upload the translation in the WES account when that step is requested
WES says translations can be uploaded through the account. Keep files in PDF or JPEG, stay under the 10 MB limit, avoid password protection, and preview everything before you submit because uploaded files cannot be deleted afterward.
- Step 5
Track document review first, then evaluation timing second
WES current processing guidance splits the workflow in two stages. WES first receives, reviews, and accepts all required documents. After that, the evaluation begins. That is why a missing translation or wrong sender route costs time before the actual evaluation clock even starts.
Planning timeline
- 01
01
Current WES document verification stage
typically 2 weeks after all required documents are received
- 02
02
Current WES evaluation stage for Document-by-Document
typically 1 week; complex evaluations may take up to 2 weeks
- 03
03
Current WES evaluation stage for Course-by-Course
typically 2 weeks; complex evaluations may take up to 4 weeks
- 04
04
Typical certified translation timing on our side
about 24 hours for standard academic records
Avoid These Errors
Why WES Rejects Translations — and How to Avoid It
The WES failure pattern is usually not a dramatic outright denial. More often, WES cannot move the file forward because one translation detail or one sender-route detail does not line up with the review standard.
1Incomplete academic set
What happens
WES review stops because the file has only part of the completed credential record, such as marksheets without the final degree certificate.
Why it happens
Applicants focus on the page they think matters most instead of the full record listed in the country instructions.
Safer approach
We review the expected transcript and diploma set before production so the English file matches the actual WES-bound document package.
2Self-translation or non-professional translation
What happens
The translation does not meet the professional-translator standard and the file needs replacement.
Why it happens
WES explicitly says it does not accept applicant-completed translations, but applicants still assume a fluent relative or self-translation is enough.
Safer approach
Every WES-bound translation is handled as a professional certified workflow, not a casual bilingual rewrite.
3Grade conversion inside the translation
What happens
The English file becomes harder to trust because the translator has changed the academic meaning instead of preserving it.
Why it happens
Applicants want the transcript to look more American and assume WES prefers converted GPA or letter grades in the translation.
Safer approach
We preserve the original grading system and let WES handle equivalency, semester-credit conversion, and GPA in the report.
4Missing tables, seals, or side notes
What happens
WES cannot compare the English page cleanly to the official record, so review slows or the translation has to be redone.
Why it happens
Low-detail providers flatten transcript tables into prose and skip registrar marks that look minor but carry institutional meaning.
Safer approach
We keep academic tables intact, translate every visible marking, and match the translation page order to the source set.
5Wrong sender route or missing reference-number discipline
What happens
The translation may be fine, but the total WES file stalls because the direct sender route does not match the country instructions.
Why it happens
Applicants treat upload and direct-sender steps as interchangeable even though WES keeps them separate.
Safer approach
We flag sender-route issues up front and format the translation around the exact document set being sent under the WES reference number.
Real casework
Translation cases accepted by World Education Services
Anonymized translations we've delivered into World Education Services packages. Each case shows the source-document issue and how it was handled.
RecentJul 2026country-specific-quirkRussian FederationWhen a Russian Diploma Shows the University's Two Prior Names
A 2014 Russian Specialist's Diploma in Finance and Credit needed an English translation for an Academic Evaluation Services (AES) filing. The diploma supplement disclosed two prior legal names of the issuing university, with the date of each rename. We rendered Section 5 of the supplement verbatim so the credential evaluator could verify institutional continuity. The packet was delivered for AES credential evaluation.
Handled by Elena Sokolova, Certified Legal & Official Documents TranslatorAcademic Evaluation Services (AES) credential evaluation packetRead case →
RecentJul 2026field-semanticsRussian FederationWhen a Russian 'Diploma' Isn't an Academic Degree
A client submitted two Russian credentials from the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis: a 2025 Diploma of Professional Retraining (2,800 hours, psychoanalytic counseling) and a 2022 Certificate of Advanced Training (48 hours). Both fall under Russian supplementary professional education — not academic degrees. We labeled each document type precisely, preserved the legal grant phrase, and kept the hour counts intact. The packet was delivered for Academic Evaluation Services (AES) filing.
Handled by Elena Sokolova, Certified Legal & Official Documents TranslatorAcademic Evaluation Services (AES) credential evaluation packetRead case →
RecentJul 2026credential-evaluationTürkiyeWhen a Turkish Hukuk Lisansı Is Not a US J.D.
A Turkish four-year undergraduate law diploma (Hukuk Lisansı) from Ankara University Faculty of Law was translated for WES credential evaluation. The translation kept 'Hukuk Lisansı' as a retained foreign credential name rather than substituting 'J.D.' or 'LL.B.', because the Turkish degree is an undergraduate law qualification with no exact US equivalent. A Translator's Note documented the credential, and the certified translation was delivered for the application packet.
Handled by Tariq Al-Hassan, Middle Eastern Legal & Academic TranslatorWES credential evaluationRead case →
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Transparent Pricing
Translation Cost for WES Submission
You need to price the translation and the WES evaluation together, because they solve different parts of the same submission. Translation makes the record readable. WES fees cover the evaluator report itself.
Our certified translation
$24.95/page
True flat rate — no word-count multipliers, no per-page surprises.
Typical for this case
$49.90–$99.80
Most WES-bound academic sets: 2 to 4 pages
- Signed and stamped Certificate of Accuracy
- Prepared for World Education Services 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 World Education Services programs use an external evaluator or verification provider. These fees are separate from your CertTranslate order.
Current WES Document-by-Document fee$118 USD
Current WES Course-by-Course fee$186 USD
Paid directly to the named evaluator or institution and not included in your CertTranslate checkout.
Typical end-to-end scenarios
- Estimated total with DxD plus translation: about $167.90 to $217.80
- Estimated total with CxC plus translation: about $235.90 to $285.80
- • WES says all fees are subject to change.
- • If you need a correction after upload because the wrong pages were translated, the real cost is usually delay, not just money.
- • Review current service pricing at /pricing before placing the order.
Common Questions About WES Translation Requirements
Does WES accept certified translation?
WES accepts professional translations that are exact, clear, and completed by a professional translator. In the current WES translation guidance, the agency says it does not accept translations completed by applicants. In practice, that means a proper WES certified translation is a professional academic translation package, not a self-made English summary with a signature added later.
What format does WES require for translated documents?
The official WES rule is that the translation must be exact, word-for-word, clear, legible, and completed by a professional translator. Based on our experience, the safest WES translation format also preserves page order, transcript tables, grading legends, and visible seals. That makes side-by-side review easier and reduces the risk that WES has to stop the file to clarify what was omitted or reformatted.
How much does translation cost for WES submission?
Certified translation starts at $24.95 per page. Most WES-bound academic records fall in the two-to-four-page range, so translation usually lands between $49.90 and $99.80 before optional add-ons. WES evaluation fees are separate. Current WES pricing lists $118 USD for Document-by-Document and $186 USD for Course-by-Course, so the correct budget is translation plus the report type your school, employer, or licensing body actually requires.
How long does translation take for WES?
Most standard academic records can be translated in about 24 hours. WES timing is separate. Current WES guidance says document verification typically takes about two weeks after all required records are received. After acceptance, a Document-by-Document evaluation typically takes one week and a Course-by-Course evaluation typically takes two; complex cases may take up to two and four weeks respectively.
What if WES rejects my translation?
If WES flags the translation, the first thing to determine is whether the problem is actually the English text or the surrounding workflow. Common WES translation requirements problems include missing transcript tables, applicant-made translations, grade conversion inside the translation, and a sender route that does not match the country instructions. The fastest fix is usually a corrected translation package that restores the omitted detail and aligns the file with the exact WES document route already in progress.
Do I need to translate both my transcript and diploma for WES?
Only translate the documents listed for your specific WES application. For many completed credentials that list includes both the academic record and final credential evidence, but the exact scope varies by country, institution, credential, completion status, and report destination. Current India guidance, for example, tells applicants to include the degree or provisional certificate and all years of marksheets. Check the Required Documents list before ordering the translation.
What is a WES reference number?
WES says the updated application portal now uses a 10-character alphanumeric reference number. It is generated after payment by credit card or Convera is completed and received. Save it for later communication with WES and use it whenever an institution or verification route asks for the application reference.
Does WES accept translations from any provider?
Not from just any source. WES says translations must be completed by a professional translator, and it specifically says it cannot accept translations completed by applicants. So the real screen is not brand recognition. It is whether the provider produces a professional, complete, word-for-word academic translation that matches the official document set and can survive WES side-by-side review.
Sources & review methodology
10 official sources · reviewed August 21, 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 sourceWESWES translation requirements for a credential evaluation | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESCurrent processing times for WES credential evaluations | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESWES credential evaluations and fees | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESAnswers to questions about WES credential evaluation reports | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESThe difference between Document-by-Document and Course-by-Course credential evaluation reports | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESUnderstanding your WES credential evaluation report | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESWES credential evaluation and document requirements for India | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESWES-CSSD degree verification process for China | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESWES evaluation report types | What we verified
| Open source |
| Official sourceWESWES CPA Board Evaluation | What we verified
| Open source |
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