Quick Answer: U.S. universities and credential evaluators generally require a certified English translation of any foreign-language academic transcript. The translation is a complete, faithful English version of exactly what your transcript says — course names, grades, and credits as they appear. It does not convert grades into a US GPA; that is credential evaluation, a separate service. Transcripts are priced per page ($25/page) since they are usually several pages — a three-page transcript is $75.
If you studied outside the United States and you're applying to a U.S. college, transferring credits, or having your education evaluated, you'll almost always need a certified English translation of your academic transcript. This guide explains what that translation includes, one important thing it does not include, why it's priced by the page, and how it fits with your diploma.
When Do You Need a Certified Transcript Translation?
A certified transcript translation is required whenever you submit a foreign-language transcript to a U.S. institution that needs to read and verify your academic record. Common situations include:
- Undergraduate and graduate admissions — applying to a U.S. university with a foreign academic record
- Transfer credit evaluation — when a school assesses courses you've already completed abroad
- Credential evaluation — when an agency reviews your transcript as part of assessing your degree
- Professional licensing — when a board needs to verify your coursework
In nearly all of these, the transcript is submitted together with your diploma or degree certificate.
What a Certified Transcript Translation Includes
A certified transcript translation is a complete, faithful English rendering of your entire transcript. That means every element is translated as it appears:
- The institution name and any identifying information
- Every course or subject name
- The grades or marks exactly as recorded
- Credit hours, units, or their equivalent
- Any grading scale, legend, or key printed on the document
- All stamps, seals, and signatures
It is accompanied by a signed statement of accuracy from the translator, certifying that the translation is complete and correct. For a full explanation of that certification, see our guide: What Is a Certificate of Accuracy?
What a Translation Is Not: Grade Conversion
This is the single most important thing to understand, because it's where applicants most often get confused. A certified translation faithfully reproduces what your transcript says in English. It does not:
- Convert your foreign grades into a U.S. GPA
- Translate a grading scale into a U.S. letter-grade equivalent
- State that your degree is "equivalent to" a U.S. degree
- Assess or interpret the academic value of your coursework
Determining U.S. equivalency — converting grades and stating what your credential equals in the U.S. system — is credential evaluation, a separate service performed by agencies such as WES, ECE, and other NACES members. A translation and an evaluation are two different things, and many institutions ask for one, the other, or both.
So before ordering, know which you actually need: if your school or evaluator needs to read your transcript in English, you need a translation. If they need a formal statement of U.S. equivalency, you need an evaluation — and if the evaluator accepts an applicant-provided translation, we can provide the translation portion. If you're being asked for an evaluation, see our related guide on how evaluators handle documents: Diploma Translation for University Applications and Credential Evaluation.
Need a certified transcript translation for a university or evaluator? Exacta Translation Services translates from Spanish and French to English at $25 per page, with a hand-signed certification included. Send us your transcript and we'll confirm the page count and total before you pay. Quote within 5 minutes.
Get a Free Quote →How Much Does a Transcript Translation Cost?
Unlike a one-page diploma, an academic transcript is usually several pages — sometimes many, for a full degree program. For that reason, transcript translations are priced per page. At Exacta Translation Services the rate is $25 per page, with the hand-signed certification always included.
What that looks like in practice:
- A one-page transcript is $25
- A three-page transcript is $75
- A six-page transcript is $150
Because the total depends on your specific transcript, the most reliable way to get an exact price is to send us the document — we'll confirm the page count and give you the total before you pay. For a broader cost overview across document types, see: How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost in 2026?
Translate Your Transcript and Diploma Together
Universities and credential evaluators almost always ask for both your transcript and your diploma or degree certificate. The diploma proves the degree was awarded; the transcript shows the coursework and grades behind it. Since they serve different purposes and are usually required together, it's most efficient to translate them at the same time. See our companion guide: Diploma Translation for University Applications and Credential Evaluation.
What Languages Can Transcripts Be Translated From?
Exacta Translation Services specializes in Spanish and French to English certified translations. If your transcript is in Spanish, see our Spanish certified translation page. For a transcript in French, see our French certified translation page.
How Long Does It Take?
Most certified translations are completed within 24 to 48 hours. A longer multi-page transcript may fall at the upper end of that range. If you have an application deadline, rush delivery within 24 hours is available for a flat fee of $35.
Can You Translate Your Own Transcript?
Generally, no. Most universities and credential evaluators require the translation to come from a competent third party — not the applicant — who certifies that it is complete and accurate. AI tools such as Google Translate are also not accepted for official submissions, since they cannot provide the signed certification institutions require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most U.S. colleges and universities require a certified English translation of any foreign-language transcript. Requirements vary by institution, so check the specific admissions or international office instructions.
No. A certified translation is a faithful English version of exactly what your transcript says, including grades as they appear. It does not convert grades into a US GPA or assign US equivalency — that is credential evaluation, a separate service performed by agencies such as WES or ECE.
Transcripts are priced per page since they are usually several pages. At Exacta Translation Services the rate is $25 per page — for example, a three-page transcript is $75, with the certification included.
Usually yes. Universities and evaluators typically request both — the diploma proves the degree was awarded and the transcript shows the coursework and grades. They're normally translated and submitted together.
Generally no. Most institutions and evaluators require the translation to come from a competent third party who certifies its accuracy. Translating your own transcript is typically not accepted.