What documents do you need to translate for studying abroad?

It's important to remember that each university or educational institution has its own document requirements.

In some cases, an apostille or legalization is mandatory, while in others, it’s enough to have a notarized translation or a translation certified by a translation agency.

That’s why it's essential to check the specific requirements of the institution in advance to avoid delays or misunderstandings.

To help you get started, here’s a standard list of documents that typically need to be translated for studying abroad:

- High school diploma / secondary school certificate
- University diploma (Bachelor’s, Master’s)
Note: Diplomas must always be translated together with their transcripts.
- Medical certificates (e.g., vaccination records)

 

You may also need translations of:
• Academic transcripts
• Recommendation letters (from teachers, academic advisors, or employers)
• Passport
• Birth certificate

All documents should be translated into the language of the destination country, or into English, depending on the university’s requirements.

The translation must be certified with a translation agency stamp or notarized.
This confirms that the translation was done by a qualified professional.

Apostille
For countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille stamp is required. This certifies the authenticity of a document’s signature and seal.

Apostilles are typically issued on original documents (e.g., diploma or school certificate) by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine.

Double apostille is sometimes required when a document must be recognized in a country that:
– Is not part of the Hague Convention, or
– Requires additional legalization by national law.

Double apostille is often required for countries such as:
Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, and Latin American countries.

Consular legalization
This process is necessary for countries not part of the Hague Convention.

Examples: UAE, China, Egypt, Qatar.

The process is more complex and includes multiple steps:

1. Translation of the academic document
2. Notarization of the translation
3. Certification at the Ministry of Education (Ukraine)
4. Certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ukraine)
5. Legalization at the consulate of the destination country

 

Why you should start preparing now:

The document preparation process takes time.
Translations, notarization, apostilles, collecting certificates — all of this may take several days, weeks, or even months.

Universities have strict deadlines.
Miss one — and you might have to wait another year. Preparing in advance gives you a time buffer.

Early preparation is the key to successful admission.
So don’t delay — start preparing now!

KLS Translation Agency has extensive experience in translating and preparing documents for admission to foreign universities. We work quickly, accurately, and in full compliance with the requirements of each country and institution.