U.S. Universities, Accredited Academic Institutions, and International Students

Apostille & Sworn Translation for Homologation in Spain

Official Apostilles and Sworn Spanish Translations Accepted by Spanish Universities and Ministry of Education in Spain.

CONTACT US
THE PROCESS

What is Homologación?

Homologación is the official recognition of an academic degree obtained in another country.

Many governments require proof that U.S. educational documents are legitimate before recognizing them. To verify authenticity, documents must typically be:

• Signed by a school official
• Notarized or properly certified
• Apostilled by the state authority
• Translated by a sworn or certified translator

Without completing these steps correctly, the documents may be rejected by the foreign ministry or education authority.

We ensure your documents meet the exact international legalization requirements.

Philadelphia Apostille, Notarization & Sworn Translation for Diplomas and Transcripts

If you need to legalize academic documents from the United States for use abroad, the process often requires several steps including notarization, apostille certification, and sworn translation. This process is commonly required for homologación (degree recognition) in countries such as Spain and across Europe and Latin America.

Our Philadelphia-based team specializes in helping students, universities, international schools, accreditation agencies, and graduates prepare their documents correctly the first time.

We manage the entire 3-step legalization process:

  1. Notarization of academic documents or school official signatures

  2. Apostille certification from the appropriate state authority

  3. Sworn translations of all document pages

While our office is based in Philadelphia, we assist clients nationwide and internationally.

Process for U.S. Institutions

If your diploma or transcript was issued by a U.S. university, high school or academy, the document must be properly notarized before it can be apostilled for use in Spain. The notarization must witness the signature of the university registrar or another designated school official, not a copy of the document. Once the notarization is complete, we obtain the apostille from the appropriate Secretary of State and provide sworn Spanish translations accepted by Spanish institutions.

Process for International Institutions

Academic documents issued by schools outside the United States but accredited by U.S. agencies often require additional verification before they can receive an apostille. Spanish institutions must be able to confirm that the diploma or transcript was issued by an authorized school official and that the signature has been properly notarized. By verifying the signature through Remote Online Notarization and attaching the notarized attestation to the original documents, the records can then be authenticated through the apostille process. Once completed, sworn Spanish translations ensure the documents can be presented to universities or government authorities in Spain.

Who We Serve

Students, Families, Schools & Institutions Nationwide

Whether you are a student preparing academic documents for Spain, a family navigating international education requirements, or a school assisting alumni, we provide apostille authentication and sworn Spanish translations to ensure documents meet Spain’s requirements.

🎓 Students Applying to Universities in Spain

Students applying to universities or graduate programs in Spain often need apostilled diplomas, transcripts, and sworn Spanish translations. We help prepare academic documents so they can be presented to Spanish institutions.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families & Private Individuals

Families assisting students with international education often need guidance on preparing academic documents correctly. We help ensure documents are properly notarized, apostilled, and translated for use in Spain.

🏫 U.S. High Schools & Preparatory Schools

High schools and secondary institutions across the United States often assist graduates pursuing education abroad. We help schools prepare diplomas, transcripts, and academic records for apostille authentication and sworn Spanish translation.

🌍 American Schools Operating Internationally

U.S.-accredited schools operating outside the United States can verify school official signatures through Remote Online Notarization (RON). After notarization, we obtain the apostille and provide sworn Spanish translations required for Spain.

🏛 Accredited Institutions & Educational Organizations

Educational institutions supporting students applying to Spanish universities often require assistance preparing official academic documents. We work with accredited institutions to ensure documents are authenticated and translated correctly.

📚 Colleges & Universities

U.S. colleges and universities frequently assist graduates pursuing international opportunities. We support institutions by preparing diplomas, transcripts, and academic certifications for apostille processing and sworn Spanish translation.

Notarization FAQ’s

  • For academic documents such as diplomas and transcripts, the notarization must witness the signature of the authorized school official (registrar, principal, head of school, or other designated representative). The notary certifies the authenticity of the official’s signature.

  • No. In most cases, notarized photocopy certifications are rejected by Spanish authorities and may not qualify for apostille authentication. The notarization must verify the signature of the school official, not a copy of the document.

  • Yes. For internationally located schools, we use Remote Online Notarization (RON) to notarize the signature of the designated school official during a secure virtual session.

    We also offer this service for US based institutions that don’t have access to a Notary Public

  • The documents must be signed by an authorized institutional representative, such as the registrar, head of school, director, principal, legal representative, or another designated official responsible for academic records.

U.S. School Process FAQs

  • Your academic document must be signed by the appropriate school official and notarized by witnessing that signature. Once notarized, the document can be submitted for apostille authentication.

    Contact your institutions Registrars office for guidance on how to order a notarized academic record.

  • The apostille must be issued by the Secretary of State where the notary is commissioned. Our firm ensures the documents are submitted to the correct authority once received.

  • Yes. If needed, we can coordinate with the school registrar or records office to ensure the documents are properly prepared for notarization and apostille processing.

    You may also just send the documents to us after the notarization has been successfully completed.

International School Process FAQs

  • If your school is located internationally but accredited by a U.S. accrediting agency (such as MSA), we can verify the signature of the designated school official through Remote Online Notarization.

  • Because the documents originate outside the United States, the signature of the school official must be notarized by a U.S. notary before apostille authentication can occur.

  • The authorized school official (such as the Head of School, Director, Registrar, or Principal) participates in a brief virtual meeting with the notary to verify their identity and signature.

  • Yes. Our firm works directly with the school administration or accrediting body to schedule and complete the notarization process.

  • Yes. Many internationally located schools accredited by U.S. agencies—such as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools—must first obtain a verification letter or embossed certification from their accrediting body confirming the institution’s accreditation and the authenticity of the academic records. This verification helps ensure the documents are accepted for apostille authentication and later review by Spanish institutions.

  • For documents processed through our office, the apostille is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State, since the Remote Online Notarization and notarized attestation originate in Pennsylvania.

  • No. We never stamp, alter, or emboss original academic documents such as diplomas or transcripts. The notarization applies only to the separate attestation page, which is attached to the document set for apostille processing.

  • In most cases, the school administration prepares the attestation confirming the authenticity of the academic document and the authority of the signing official. This letter is usually signed by the Head of School, Director, Registrar, or another designated official.

  • Yes. If the school does not already have a standard format, we can provide a template used by other accredited schools to help prepare the verification or attestation letter correctly.

  • Yes. Apostille authorities require the original notarized documents, so the original document set must be mailed to our office before the apostille is obtained.

  • Yes. Once the documents are properly notarized, apostilled, and translated by sworn Spanish translators, they can be presented to Spanish universities and other official institutions.

Sworn translations fAQ

  • A sworn translation (traducción jurada) is a translation completed by a translator officially recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). These translations are legally certified and accepted by Spanish universities, government offices, and other official institutions.

  • Yes. Spanish authorities generally require that all pages be translated, including the original document, notarization pages, and apostille certificate.

  • Yes. All translations are performed by MAEC-appointed sworn translators, whose credentials can be verified through Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  • Each sworn translation includes:

    • A certification statement confirming accuracy
    • The translator’s signature
    • The translator’s official stamp
    • Digital certification or verification

    This certification confirms that the translation is a true and accurate translation of the original document.

  • Yes. Once documents are properly notarized, apostilled, and translated by sworn Spanish translators, they can be presented to Spanish universities, government agencies, and other official institutions.

  • Yes. In many cases, sworn translations can be provided as digitally certified documents, allowing them to be verified electronically by Spanish authorities.