Do I Need Certified Translation for Foreign Diploma WES Evaluation? (2025–2026 Guide)

If you’re staring at your WES dashboard asking, “do i need certified translation for foreign diploma wes evaluation,” you’re not alone. Most applicants don’t get delayed because their education is “wrong”—they get delayed because their translation package fails a technical check.

In this guide, I’ll explain what WES expects, the counter-intuitive “sealed envelope” issue, and the fastest way to prepare a WES-ready upload.

Key Takeaways (Read This First)

• Yes—usually. If your documents aren’t in English, WES generally requires a complete, word-for-word professional translation.
• No self-translation. WES states that translations cannot be completed by applicants themselves.
• The sealed-envelope myth: Your official records may need to come from your institution in a sealed envelope, but translations usually do not.
• Don’t overpay blindly: “Notarized” and “certified” are not the same thing—follow WES instructions for your case.

What WES Actually Requires (In Plain English)

WES is not grading your writing style. Evaluators are verifying data: credential names, dates, grades, credits, and institutional details. That’s why WES emphasizes a word-for-word translation and that all documents must be translated (including stamps, seals, and side notes).

WES also clarifies two points many applicants miss:

1. Who can translate: an official translator or an accredited translation service—not the applicant.
2. Sealed envelope: translations do not need to be in a sealed envelope.

English translation sample of diploma with precise mirror formatting (stamps, signatures)

The “Sealed Envelope” Confusion (The Workflow That Saves Weeks)

Here’s the simplest mental model:

• Official academic records: often must be sent by your institution per WES instructions.
• Translations: WES guidance indicates they can typically be submitted separately and don’t require a sealed envelope.

Practical impact: do not wait for a physical translation to be routed through your university just to be sealed—this often causes unnecessary delays. Follow your WES account instructions for how and where to submit translation files.

Certified vs. Notarized (So You Don’t Pay for the Wrong Thing)

These terms are commonly mixed up:

• Certified translation (in practical use): a professional translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator/agency confirming completeness and accuracy.
• Notarized translation: a notary verifies the identity of the signer—not the linguistic quality of the translation.

For a deeper explanation (and when notarization may matter), see: Certified vs. Notarized Translation: What’s the Difference?

AI Translation in 2025–2026: Use It Carefully (If You Use It At All)

AI tools can be helpful for drafting, but WES’s core requirement is still accountability and professional, word-for-word accuracy. If you rely on AI, treat it as a drafting layer only—then have a qualified translator/agency review, correct, format, and certify the final deliverable.

This is especially important for transcripts where small terminology errors, grading legend omissions, or formatting confusion can trigger a request to resubmit.

Common Pitfalls That Trigger WES Delays

1) Missing “Small Stuff” (Stamps, Seals, Legends)

Applicants often translate the obvious text and miss the grading scale, legend, back-page notes, or stamp text. WES states that all documents must be translated, which includes these elements.

2) Formatting That Forces the Evaluator to Guess

If the original transcript is a table and your translation becomes a plain paragraph list, it becomes harder to verify grade-by-grade alignment. This is where layout discipline matters.

3) Self-Translation (Even If You’re Fluent)

WES explicitly states translations cannot be completed by the applicant.

WES-Ready Checklist (Before You Upload)

• Completeness: Every stamp, seal, signature line, and legend is translated.
• Word-for-word: Avoid “summaries” or interpretive rewrites.
• Clean PDF: Sharp, readable scans (zoom in—can you read the smallest print?).
• Correct submission path: Confirm whether you upload translations in your WES account for your case.
• Country-specific rules: Use WES’s official tool to preview what your institution and you must submit.

How CertOf™ Helps (Speed + Compliance + Mirror Formatting)

If you’re on a deadline (admissions, licensing, or Canada ECA timelines), waiting days for a quote often doesn’t make sense.

• Mirror Formatting: We replicate tables and structure so evaluators can match originals faster.
• Fast turnaround: Many standard academic documents can be completed quickly when scans are clear.
• Transparent pricing: Flat pricing (no “notary upsell” by default).
• Rework-or-refund policy: See our Refund Policy.

FAQ

Can I translate my own diploma for WES?

No. WES states that translations cannot be completed by the applicant.

Do translations need to be sealed by my university?

WES guidance states translations do not need to be in a sealed envelope, even when official records do.

If I’m using these documents later for IRCC, what changes?

IRCC requires that documents not in English or French include the original document plus an English/French translation. If the translation is not done by a certified translator, IRCC requires an affidavit from the person who completed the translation, and may require certified copies depending on the situation.

External Official Resources

• WES: Translation Requirements
• WES Required Documents Tool
• IRCC: Translation of documents