Studying in Cluj-Napoca means dealing with Romanian bureaucracy — and for international students, that almost always means authorized translations. Whether you are applying to Babeș-Bolyai University, the Technical University, or UMF "Iuliu Hațieganu", the admission office will likely ask for your documents in Romanian, translated by an authorized translator.

The earlier you prepare these translations, the better. Summer admission season in Cluj is busy, and waiting until the last week before a deadline can mean delays you cannot afford.

At LexiTrad, located in the center of Cluj-Napoca at Piața Mihai Viteazu nr. 31, we work with international students on exactly this: authorized translations for university admission, enrollment, and administrative procedures in Romania.

What Is an Authorized Translation?

An authorized translation is a translation completed by a translator who holds authorization from the Romanian Ministry of Justice. It is not just a bilingual version of your document — it is a legally recognized translation that institutions in Romania can accept in official files.

For international students, this matters because Romanian universities, notaries, and public institutions generally will not accept a document translated informally or by someone without this authorization.

A legalized translation goes one step further: the translator's signature is certified by a notary public. Some institutions require only an authorized translation; others ask for legalization as well. Always check the specific requirements of the institution before you order anything.

Which Documents Do International Students Usually Need to Translate?

The exact list depends on your university, your study program, and your country of origin. That said, the documents most commonly requested from international students are the following.

High school diploma or bachelor's degree. This is typically the most important document in any admission file. If your diploma is issued in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Turkish, Russian, or another language, the university will almost certainly ask for an authorized Romanian translation.

Transcript of records. Universities use the transcript to evaluate whether your previous education meets their admission criteria. Because transcripts contain many subjects, grades, and institutional references, accuracy matters — a vague or poorly translated transcript can create problems in the evaluation process.

Birth certificate. Required for enrollment procedures, notarial declarations, and residence permit files. If yours is not in Romanian, an authorized translation will be needed.

Passport or identity documents. For most standard admissions, a copy of the passport is enough without translation. However, if you are preparing a notarial declaration or a specific administrative file, a translation may be required. Verify with the institution.

Medical certificates. Some programs — especially in medicine, pharmacy, or physical education — require health documents from applicants. If these were issued abroad, they will need authorized translation into Romanian.

Other documents. Depending on your situation, you may also need translations for recommendation letters, proof of student status, language certificates, parental declarations, financial sponsorship documents, or name change and marriage certificates.

Authorized Translation or Legalized Translation — What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion for international students.

An authorized translation is completed and stamped by a translator authorized by the Romanian Ministry of Justice. This is the standard requirement for most university files.

A legalized translation means the translator's signature has been additionally certified by a notary public. Some institutions — particularly for notarial procedures or residence permits — require this extra step.

Before ordering your translations, check whether the institution asks for:

authorized translation only;
authorized translation with notarization;
apostille or supralegalization on the original document before translation;
certified copies of the originals.

If you are not sure, contact the admission office directly and ask. It is better to clarify upfront than to redo documents after submission.

Does My Document Need Apostille Before Translation?

In many cases, yes — but it depends on the country where the document was issued.

Romania is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your document comes from another member country, it must carry an apostille before it can be officially recognized in Romania. The apostille is applied in the issuing country, not in Romania.

Documents from countries outside the convention may require supralegalization, which is a longer process involving both the issuing country's foreign ministry and the Romanian embassy.

Translation can generally be done from a clear scan, but the apostille process must happen in your home country — ideally before you travel. If you are unsure whether your country is part of the convention or whether your specific document needs apostille, check with the Romanian university's international admissions office before making any arrangements.

What Languages Does LexiTrad Translate For Students?

At LexiTrad, we work with authorized translations for students whose documents are in the following languages:

English, French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, and Turkish.

If your document is in a language not listed here, contact us and we will confirm availability or help you find the right solution.

How Long Does an Authorized Translation Take?

Translation time at LexiTrad depends on the type and complexity of the document. For most standard student documents — diplomas, transcripts, birth certificates — turnaround is typically between 12 hours and 1–3 business days.

If your documents are more complex, if you have multiple documents at once, or if notarization is also required, allow extra time. During peak admission season in Cluj (usually July–September), translation offices are busier than usual.

The safest approach: send your documents for a quote as soon as you have them ready, and mention your submission deadline. We will tell you exactly what is possible.

How Much Does an Authorized Translation Cost?

Prices at LexiTrad depend on the language pair and document complexity. For English-language documents, authorized translations start from 50 RON per page.

For a precise quote, send us your documents — scanned copies are enough — along with your deadline.

A Simple Checklist Before You Send Your Documents

Getting this right the first time saves you from corrections and resubmissions. Before sending your documents to LexiTrad — or to any translation office — go through this checklist:

Check the official admission requirements from your university.
Confirm whether translations must be into Romanian or another language.
Ask whether notarization is required in addition to authorization.
Check whether apostille or supralegalization is needed for your documents.
Send clear scans or photos — all pages, including the back, stamps, signatures, and annexes.
Make sure your name is written consistently across all documents. Discrepancies in spelling, accents, or name order can cause problems in administrative files.
If your documents are in multiple languages, mention this upfront. For example, a diploma in French, a transcript in English, and a birth certificate in Arabic or Ukrainian each need to be checked separately.
Always mention your deadline when requesting a quote.

Why Work With a Local Translation Office in Cluj-Napoca?

Cluj-Napoca is not Bucharest. The administrative procedures at UBB, UTCN, or UMF have their own specifics, and the institutions that process student files here have their own expectations.

A local translation office in Cluj understands these specifics. It can also be more practical if you need to pick up documents in person, if you need to coordinate notarization with a local notary, or if something needs to be corrected quickly before a deadline.

LexiTrad is located in the center of Cluj-Napoca, at Piața Mihai Viteazu nr. 31, ap. 3 — a few minutes from the main university campuses and easy to reach whether you are already in the city or sending documents remotely.

FAQ: Authorized Translations for International Students in Cluj-Napoca

Do international students need authorized translations in Romania? In most cases, yes. If your documents are issued in another language, Romanian universities and public institutions will typically request an authorized Romanian translation before accepting your file.

What documents do students usually need to translate for university admission? The most common ones are diplomas, transcripts of records, birth certificates, medical certificates, and identity documents. Some programs may also require recommendation letters, parental declarations, or financial documents.

Is an authorized translation the same as a notarized translation? No. An authorized translation is completed by a translator licensed by the Romanian Ministry of Justice. A notarized or legalized translation additionally includes certification of the translator's signature by a notary public. Some institutions require both.

Can I send scanned documents for a quote? Yes. Send clear scans or photos of the full document, including all pages, stamps, and signatures. You will receive a quote and estimated delivery time based on the actual document.

Do I need apostille for my university documents? It depends on the country where the document was issued and the university's requirements. Many countries require apostille before Romanian institutions can accept the document. Confirm with the admission office before you start the process.

Can I get translations done after I arrive in Cluj-Napoca? Yes, but it is safer to prepare them in advance. Translation takes time, notarization takes additional time, and admission deadlines do not wait. Preparing your file before arrival gives you a much better margin.

How long does an authorized translation take at LexiTrad? Between 12 hours and 1–3 business days, depending on the document type, complexity, and current workload. Mention your deadline when you contact us.

What languages does LexiTrad translate from for students? English, French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Hungarian, Russian, and Turkish.

Contact LexiTrad for Authorized Translations in Cluj-Napoca

If you are an international student preparing your admission or enrollment file, send us your documents and we will confirm what is needed, how long it will take, and what the cost will be.

LexiTrad — Translation Bureau Cluj-Napoca

Piața Mihai Viteazu nr. 31, ap. 3, Cluj-Napoca

📧 birou@lexitrad.ro 📞 (+40) 0751 169 260 🌐 www.lexitrad.ro

Preparing your translations early gives you time to handle apostille, notarization, and any corrections without pressure. Start with a scan — we will take it from there.

Authorized Translations in Cluj-Napoca for International Students: What You Need to Prepare