How to prepare your diploma translation for CNRED recognition in 2026
Complete guide to translating your diploma for CNRED recognition: required documents, apostille, notarization, costs and 2026 steps.
If you studied outside Romania and want to continue your studies, practice, or take a job that requires a recognized diploma, the first official step is **CNRED recognition** — the National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas, a structure under the Ministry of Education. For this file, the diploma and the transcript must be translated into Romanian via a **notarized translation**, preceded in most cases by a **Hague apostille** or **consular super-legalization**. This guide shows you exactly which documents you need, in what order to process them, and what it costs in 2026.
What CNRED is and when you need recognition
CNRED (National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas) is the Romanian public authority that evaluates and recognizes studies completed abroad. In practice, you need a CNRED opinion in four main situations: continuing studies in Romania (bachelor, master, PhD enrollment), access to the labour market for non-regulated professions, obtaining the **equivalence certificate** for pre-university studies, and preparing the file for regulated professions (doctor, pharmacist, architect, lawyer) which is then forwarded to the relevant ministry.
For regulated professions, CNRED issues academic recognition, while professional recognition is done separately — for example, by the College of Physicians, OAR or UNBR. For positions in the public sector (education, administration), notarized translation is also mandatory, not just recognition. More on the difference between plain sworn translation and notarization in our guide [sworn vs notarized translation](/en/traducere-legalizata-vs-autorizata).
Documents required by CNRED in 2026
The base list is published on **cnred.edu.ro** and varies depending on the level of study (pre-university, bachelor, master, PhD) and the issuing country. Below is a synthesis table covering 90% of files.
| Document | Mandatory for | Form required by CNRED |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma (original + copy) | All files | Apostilled/super-legalized + notarized Romanian translation |
| Transcript / diploma supplement | Bachelor, master, PhD, high-school | Apostilled/super-legalized + notarized translation |
| Syllabus / course content | Regulated professions, continuing studies | Notarized translation (apostille optional) |
| Certificate of authenticity | Non-EU states without clear apostille | Issued by the academic institution + notarized translation |
| ID document (ID card / passport) | All files | Plain copy; translation only if not in Latin alphabet |
| Proof of name change | If the name differs across documents | Notarized translation + apostille |
| CNRED application form | All files | Official form, signed |
| Proof of fee payment | All files | Receipt / payment order (50 RON for most procedures) |
Note: CNRED may request **additional documents** (detailed curriculum, description of the grading system, acts on the accreditation of the academic institution) for less-known universities or for new specializations. If the diploma contains stamps and notes in several languages, they all must be translated — omissions are not accepted.
Apostille vs super-legalization — which applies for your country
Before translation, the original documents must be **internationally legalized**. There are three regimes, depending on the issuing country:
- **States party to the Hague Convention (1961)** — an apostille is applied to the original document. Full list on hcch.net. Includes most EU states, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, the USA, the UK, Turkey, Israel, Japan, Latin America.
- **States outside the Hague Convention** — **consular super-legalization** applies: first the issuing country's ministry of education/foreign affairs, then the Romanian embassy in that country, then MAE Romania in Bucharest. Examples: Canada (certain provinces), Iran, Iraq, mainland China (excluding Hong Kong/Macao).
- **States with which Romania has bilateral legal assistance treaties** — the apostille/super-legalization is waived. Includes most ex-Yugoslav states, Hungary, the Czech Republic, certain post-Soviet states. Check the list on **mae.ro** before spending on an apostille you do not need.
Why notarized translation is required and not just a sworn one
CNRED accepts strictly **notarized translation**, performed by a translator authorized by the Romanian Ministry of Justice. The difference: the authorized translator signs and applies their own stamp on the translation (this is the minimum), while the notary checks the translator's identity, confirms the authenticity of the signature and legalizes the act with a legalization endorsement. Without the notary's legalization, the file is rejected from the start.
The translation must reproduce in full and faithfully all elements: the text of the diploma, the institution's name and seals, signatures, the apostille (if any), any notes on the back. Any unclear text must be marked as such ([illegible], [illegible signature]) — not left blank. For up-to-date notarized translation costs see the [pricing page](/en/preturi).
The process steps — from the original diploma to CNRED filing
- **Obtain the original diploma and transcript** from the issuing institution. If the diploma was lost, request a duplicate — CNRED does not accept unauthenticated copies.
- **Apply the apostille or super-legalization** on the originals, in the issuing country. For Moldova — the Ministry of Justice issues the apostille in 1–3 business days. For Romania (Romanian diplomas used abroad) — MAE or the county tribunals.
- **Get notarized copies** of the apostilled originals, if you want to keep the original. CNRED accepts notarized copies.
- **Send the documents to an authorized translator** in Romania. Indicative turnaround: 1–3 business days for a standard diploma + transcript.
- **Notarize the translation** — the translator or you take the translation to the notary office. The notary fee is charged separately.
- **Fill in the CNRED application form** and pay the processing fee (50 RON for most categories, under the ME order in force in 2026).
- **File the application** — online through the CNRED platform (preferred, with qualified electronic signature) or in person at the registry on 12 Spiru Haret St., Bucharest.
- **Wait for the decision** — the statutory deadline is 30 business days; in practice, 15–45 days depending on the time of year and the complexity of the diploma.
- **Receive the equivalence certificate** or the recognition decision, which you then use with the university, employer or professional body.
Estimated costs for a complete file in 2026
| Cost item | Reference price (MDL) | Reference price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Moldovan apostille (MoJ) | 180–250 MDL | 9–12 EUR |
| Apostille in other states (varies) | — | 10–60 EUR |
| Consular super-legalization (3 stages) | — | 80–200 EUR |
| Notarized diploma translation (A4 page) | 200–350 MDL / page | 10–18 EUR / page |
| Notarized transcript translation (2–4 pages) | 400–1200 MDL | 20–60 EUR |
| Notarization (per document) | 80–150 MDL | 4–7 EUR |
| CNRED fee | — | 50 RON (~10 EUR) |
| Notarized copies of originals (optional) | 60–100 MDL / doc | 3–5 EUR |
For a typical file (diploma + transcript + diploma supplement) the total cost is between **80 and 250 EUR**, depending on the issuing country and the number of pages. Prices at tradu.online for notarized translations are transparent — you can calculate them instantly on the [pricing page](/en/preturi).
Moldovan diplomas — bilingual specifics and the relationship with Romania
Students from the Republic of Moldova have a few advantages: under the bilateral legal assistance treaty, many acts do not need an apostille between Moldova and Romania, but **CNRED requires the apostille** for academic files for reasons of procedural uniformity — check on cnred.edu.ro for the exact list per document type. Diplomas issued in Romanian by Moldovan universities (USM, UTM, UMF Chisinau, UASM) can be filed without translation, but transcripts in Russian or those with bilingual RO/RU annotations must be translated in full. For Soviet diplomas issued before 1991 special procedures apply — contact CNRED for specific instructions.
Special cases — PhD, medicine, automatic recognition
**The PhD** additionally requires: the thesis abstract, the composition of the doctoral committee, the list of ISI publications. All translated and notarized. **Medicine and pharmacy** follow a double procedure: CNRED for academic recognition, then the Ministry of Health + the College of Physicians for the right to practice. **Automatic recognition** — valid for university studies from the EU/EEA/Switzerland under the List of top universities (published on cnred.edu.ro) — cuts the deadline to 15 days, but the documents and translations remain the same. For apostille details, see our full [apostille page](/en/apostila).
Mistakes that cost you time and money
- Applying the apostille to a notarized copy instead of the original — CNRED rejects.
- The translator omits the grading-system page or the accreditation footer — the file is returned.
- Having the translation done abroad at a firm without Romanian MoJ authorization — the translation is not recognized.
- Forgetting to translate the apostille itself — the text of the apostille (usually in the issuing state's language + French/English) must be included in the translation.
- Filing under a name changed by marriage without a translated and apostilled marriage certificate.
- Not checking the ENIC-NARIC list for your university — some institutions are not recognized and the file is automatically rejected.