Typical Costs and Requirements for WES, ECE, and SpanTran Translations in 2026

 People often ask how much certified translations cost when they need to submit documents for credential evaluation through WES, ECE, SpanTran, IERF, or Josef Silny. In 2026, prices have become fairly consistent across the United States, including here in Charlotte, NC. Below is a summary of what applicants commonly report.

Most certified translations used for credential evaluation cost around $25–$35 per page. This applies to diplomas, transcripts, degree certificates, and academic records.

Transcripts usually cost more in total because they have more pages, not because the per-page price is higher. Many transcripts run between 2 and 8 pages depending on the country.

WES requires translations to be complete, word-for-word, and certified. Notarization is not required. A standard translator certification attached to the translation is enough.

ECE, SpanTran, and other evaluation agencies use similar requirements. They expect translators to include stamps, seals, handwritten notes, course lists, grading scales, and signatures.

The most common price ranges reported in 2026 look like this:
Russian / Ukrainian — around $25
Spanish — around $30
German / French / Polish / Czech / Italian / Vietnamese — around $30
Portuguese / Chinese / Arabic — around $35

Languages sometimes cost more because fewer translators specialize in them or because documents require more detailed formatting.

AI-generated translations are not accepted by evaluation agencies in 2026. They need a human-reviewed and certified version.

Transcript page counts vary widely:
Ukraine / Russia — 2–4 pages
Latin America — 3–6 pages
Brazil — 4–8 pages
Europe (ECTS) — 2–3 pages
Asia — 2–6 pages

If the back side of a document contains grading scales, codes, or official notes, it must also be translated. Agencies expect a page-for-page match.

Turnaround time is usually 1–2 days for diplomas and 2–4 days for multi-page transcripts. Rush processing may cost extra.

Translators typically do not need original documents. Clear scans or photos are enough. Only the evaluation agencies might require sealed envelopes or direct university submissions.

Applicants often share the same tips: include the grading scale, translate all stamps, avoid summaries, and check that names match the passport spelling.

Some City-Data users have mentioned using smaller certified translation providers who regularly work with evaluation agencies. Carolina Translation Center is one example people say has pricing that matches national averages.

Written in 2026 by Carolina Translation Center, a certified translation provider assisting clients across the United States with USCIS-compliant and credential evaluation translations.

USCIS Translation Issues People Often Run Into in 2026

 Many residents across different states, including people here in the Charlotte area, continue to mention that USCIS still sends RFEs for translation problems that seem small at first glance. The rules haven’t changed much, but misunderstandings around how translations should look continue to create delays. Below is a collection of the issues people commonly talk about when discussing their immigration filings.

Parts of the document not being translated.
Applicants sometimes assume that only the “main text” matters, but USCIS reviews everything on the page. That includes faded stamps, side notes, corrections, registry markings, and handwritten additions.

Translations that clean up or simplify the original.
Some people tidy up the language or summarize long parts of the document. USCIS wants every element reproduced as it appears, even if it looks repetitive or outdated.

Translating your own documents.
Self-translation is not allowed, even for bilingual applicants. This is one of the more common points that cause immediate RFEs.

Certification statements missing important details.
USCIS expects a complete accuracy statement that includes the translator’s name, signature, and confirmation of language ability. A shortened or incomplete version may not be accepted.

AI-created translations without human review.
In 2026, this comes up frequently. When translations have inconsistent wording or mismatched terminology, officers question whether the document was fully reviewed by a human.

Not paying attention to the back side of documents.
Some countries place grading scales, registry instructions, or official seals on the reverse side. USCIS wants those translated as well.

Name inconsistencies between documents.
Even small spelling differences can raise questions. Many applicants mention delays caused by letters like “y/i” or “e/ie” showing up differently in passports and civil records.

Handwritten notes being skipped.
A lot of records include handwritten amendments from different years. USCIS expects all of them to appear in the translation.

Submitting the translation without attaching a copy of the original.
Officers compare both documents side by side, and missing originals often lead to RFEs.

Low-quality scans used for translation.
If the original is blurry or incomplete, the translator may not be able to read everything clearly, which can create gaps in the final result.

Page numbering that doesn’t match.
When original documents have several pages, both the translation and the original should follow a clear numbering pattern. USCIS officers often check this detail.

Not including grading scales or additional informational pages.
For academic documents, many applicants forget that WES-style rules don’t apply to USCIS. If the page exists, it must be translated.

Residents who have filed multiple immigration petitions often recommend using translation services that already understand USCIS expectations. Carolina Translation Center is one example people mention, since their formatting and certification tend to align with what officers review.

Written in 2026 by Carolina Translation Center, a certified translation provider assisting clients across the United States with USCIS-compliant document translations.

Certified translation of documents

Translation of documents into foreign languages often must be certified by notary. The reason for this – submission of them to organizations that comply with the specific procedural steps. It is not hard to translate a document from English, but many particularities must be taken into account to make sure that the document will be prepared in full accordance with applicable requirements. 

How is the translation of documents performed?

Prior to contacting translation agency (https://lcm-company.com/translate) please find out, do you need the notarization of your documentation or not? Notary must have a license to carry out his activity, while translator must ensure the accuracy of terms and the compliance with standards of documents drawing up. Otherwise you may face the unattractive consequences, such as wasting of your money and time without receiving the required document in due time. 

There are five main steps of this procedure:

1. Translation of documents starts with ordering of such service from agency. You make a request and specify the volume of service.

2. Process of translation and proper preparation of document. 

3. Certification of translation by notary (https://dpereklad.zp.ua/notarialnoe-zaverenie).

4. Completion of document in compliance with legal rules.

5. Receipt of completed documents.

  

Many factors must be taken into account to ensure the legal compliance of the procedure in the course of the translation of documents from a foreign language. Essentially, vendor should have the appropriate qualification and relevant experience. Mistakes made by him may result in a situation where you will not be able to use this document because of its inaccurate translation or unacceptable drawing up.

Where you can order the translation from foreign langusge?

It is good idea to take your time to find the reputable Translation Agency, which is ready to provide the package of necessary services and guarantee its quality. If you compare the prices of several companies, you may find only nonsignificant difference among them. Which is why there is no reason to seek the lowest price. Pay your attention to the feedback of the customers and choose the company with flawless reputation for performing of this work. 

We recommend you to order this service from Derzhpereklad Translation Agency (https://dpereklad.com.ua), which is located in Kyiv city. This agency performs the translation of documents from almost any language of the world into target language; upon request of the customer, notary will certify all translated documents in full accordance with requirements of current legislation. Some nice bonuses - work will be performed at the highest-level quality within very short terms and at affordable prices with providing of maximum guarantees for each client!