Notarized Translation of a Diploma and Diploma Supplement
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A diploma is rarely translated “just in case”: it is translated for a specific purpose — admission to a foreign university, employment, recognition of qualifications, or an immigration credential assessment. That is why the requirements are stricter than for an ordinary personal document, and why this is where the mistakes that get a whole package returned happen most often.
At MovaPro translation agency, we have been providing notarized translation of diplomas and supplements since 2012. The notary works in our Kyiv office, so translation and notarization are completed in a single visit. Quotes take 15 minutes, with a discount from 5 pages.
Price: from UAH 570 (translation from UAH 170 per document depending on the language, notarization UAH 400) Turnaround: from 2 hours Consultation: free
The diploma and the supplement are two documents, not one
This is the most common misunderstanding. The diploma supplement has its own number and its own form, and it is the supplement that contains the list of courses, hours, and grades. The diploma certifies that a degree was awarded; the supplement certifies what it consisted of.
Practically every foreign institution — universities, employers, credential recognition bodies — evaluates the content, so both documents are required. Three practical consequences follow, worth knowing in advance:
- both documents are translated, and each is priced separately;
- the supplement usually exceeds one standard page (1,800 characters with spaces), so its cost is calculated from the actual volume;
- the apostille for the diploma and the apostille for the supplement are also two separate procedures, each with its own fee.
Educational documents are apostilled by the Ministry of Education, not the Ministry of Justice
This is the key difference between diplomas and other personal documents. In Ukraine, apostilles are issued by three different authorities, depending on who issued the document:
| Document type | Apostille authority |
|---|---|
| Diplomas, school certificates, supplements, archival certificates from educational institutions, curricula | Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MON) |
| Civil registry certificates, court decisions, notarial documents | Ministry of Justice of Ukraine |
| Documents issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine |
So the route for a diploma is different from that for a birth certificate, and mixing them up costs time. Procedure details and current fees are published by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. We do not publish state fee amounts because they change; check them with MON or with our manager when you order. If you are unsure where the other documents in your package should go, our free apostille route finder will point to the right authority.
If the diploma is an older one
Diplomas issued before the launch of EDEBO — Ukraine’s Unified State Electronic Database on Education — are often missing from the registry. In that case, MON sends an archival request to the institution that issued the document, and the procedure gets noticeably longer. If the institution has been reorganized or closed, the request goes to its legal successor or to the archives. This is the most common reason a “one-week apostille” turns into a month.
The right order: apostille first, then translation
The correct sequence for most countries:
- Apostille the original diploma and the original supplement — at MON.
- Translate both documents, apostille stamps included.
- Notarize the translator’s signature.
- If required — apostille the notarized translation itself (double apostille), where the destination country demands it.
If the document is translated before the apostille is issued, the stamp is left untranslated — and the package has to be redone. Requirements for step four differ even between institutions within the same country, so confirm them before submitting.
Where the diploma is going: what to keep in mind
Canada (ECA). The strictest route. WES does not accept Ukrainian diplomas directly from the applicant: the documents must be sent by ENIC Ukraine — the information center operating under MON — and the document must be apostilled. ENIC transmits the package to WES electronically. Check the current requirements on the WES website before ordering — the submission route is set by WES, not by any translation agency. The rest of the document requirements for Canada are on the Canada page.
Poland. Study and certain professions require nostrification or confirmation of recognition; institutions usually ask for the diploma and supplement with a translation. Some procedures call for a sworn translation — in that case, our sworn translation into Polish is the right fit.
Germany. Recognition of qualifications relies on the anabin database and ZAB decisions; universities and employers require the diploma with its supplement, in most cases with a certified translation into German.
USA. Study and employment usually require an evaluation by one of the NACES member agencies (WES, ECE, and others). The translation format requirements are set by the agency, so check them before ordering. The document package for the USA is on the USA page.
If you are still deciding on a country, start from the country pages — they collect the requirements by destination.
Common mistakes that get a package returned
- The name spelling does not match the passport. The transliteration in the translation must match your international passport exactly. Send a copy of your passport together with the diploma. You can verify the official spelling with our free transliteration tool.
- The surname changed after graduation. A translated proof of the change is also needed — a marriage, divorce, or name-change certificate.
- The diploma was submitted without the supplement. The institution cannot assess the qualification and puts the case on hold.
- The translation was done before the apostille. The apostille stamp is left untranslated.
- MON processing times were not factored in. Especially critical for diplomas missing from the registry.
Pricing
The price consists of the translation and the notarization. Translation — from UAH 170 per standard document depending on the language (English — UAH 300, Polish — UAH 430, German — UAH 450 per 1,800 characters with spaces). Notarization of the translator’s signature — UAH 400 per document. The full price list for 40+ languages and every certification option is on the prices page; the certification procedure is explained on the notarized translation page.
MON apostille state fees are paid separately and are not included in the translation price.
Send us scans of your diploma and supplement — we will quote the cost and timeline within 15 minutes and tell you exactly which set of documents your receiving institution needs. Request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does the diploma supplement need to be translated separately?
The supplement is a separate document with its own number, and almost every foreign institution requires it together with the diploma. It is the supplement that lists the courses, hours, and grades your qualification is judged by: without it, the diploma only proves that a degree was awarded. Both documents are translated, and each is priced separately, since the supplement is usually longer and can run to several standard pages.
Who issues the apostille for a diploma in Ukraine?
Apostilles for educational documents are issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MON), not the Ministry of Justice. This is the key difference between educational documents and birth or marriage certificates, which are apostilled by the Ministry of Justice. The apostille for the diploma and the apostille for the supplement are two separate procedures, each paid for separately. Check current fees and processing times with MON or with our manager.
What if the diploma is an older one and is not in the state registry?
Diplomas issued before the launch of EDEBO — Ukraine's Unified State Electronic Database on Education — are often missing from the registry. In that case, MON sends an archival request to the institution that issued the document, and the procedure takes noticeably longer than usual. If your institution has been reorganized or closed, the request goes to its legal successor or to the archives — flag this in advance so the timeline can be planned realistically.
Which comes first — the apostille or the translation?
Almost always: apostille the original first, then translate, and the notary certifies the translation. Done the other way around, the apostille stamp is left untranslated and the document may be rejected. Some countries additionally require an apostille on the notarized translation itself — the so-called double apostille. Requirements vary by country and by institution, so confirm them before submitting.
Will your translation work for WES or another ECA for Canada?
For a Canadian credential assessment, WES does not accept documents directly from the applicant: Ukrainian diplomas must come through ENIC Ukraine, the information center operating under MON, and the document must be apostilled. ENIC sends the package to WES electronically. Our notarized translation is used at the stages where one is required, but the submission route itself is set by WES — verify it on the official WES website before ordering.
How is my name spelled in the diploma translation?
Your surname and given name are transliterated exactly as in your international passport — this is critical. If the spelling in the diploma translation differs from your passport, the receiving institution may treat them as two different people. Always send us a copy of your passport along with the diploma. If you changed your surname after graduating, the document confirming the change — a marriage, divorce, or name-change certificate — will need to be translated as well.
How much does a notarized diploma translation cost?
From UAH 570 per document: translation from UAH 170 depending on the language, notarization UAH 400. The diploma and the supplement are priced separately, and the supplement often exceeds one standard page (1,800 characters with spaces), so its cost is calculated from the actual volume. Send us your set of documents and we will quote the exact amount within 15 minutes.
How long does a diploma translation take?
The notarized translation itself takes from 2 hours, provided the documents are already apostilled and no extra clarifications are needed. What determines the overall timeline is not the translation but the MON apostille — especially if an archival request is required. Plan the procedure well in advance, not a week before your submission deadline.
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