Foreign-educated applicants submitting non-English legal education documents for NY bar eligibility review.
NY BOLE foreign legal education
Certified translations for the New York State Board of Law Examiners
If your foreign law school transcript, degree certificate or supporting paper is not in English, BOLE requires an English translation authenticated by a certified translator. D&T Translations prepares certified English translations with a translator qualification statement and certification of accuracy.
- Law school transcripts and degree certificates
- Translator qualification statement included
- Upload scans or photos through our quote form
Independent service notice: D&T Translations is an independent translation agency and is not affiliated with the New York State Board of Law Examiners.
An English translation authenticated by a certified translator, with qualifications and an accuracy certification.
Applicant translations and translations by a non-certified third party, even if that person is fluent.
BOLE translation rules
What the New York Board says about English translations
BOLE's Foreign Legal Education instructions are strict because the translation becomes part of the applicant's eligibility file. The translation is not just a convenience copy; it is supporting documentation for an official review.
Core translation requirement
When a law school transcript, degree certificate or other submitted paper is not in English, BOLE requires an accompanying English translation. The translation must be authenticated by a certified translator and include a statement of the translator's qualifications and accuracy certification.
- The translator should be separate from the applicant.
- The certification should identify translator qualifications.
- The certification should state that the English translation is accurate.
- D&T prepares the translation from the scan or photo you upload.
Important document handling detail
BOLE's supporting-document rules are separate from the translation rule. Official documents may need to come directly from the issuing school, institution or government agency, while D&T prepares the translation from the digital copy you upload through the quote form.
If you do not have a transcript copy
BOLE advises applicants to order a second original from the school if they do not have a copy from which an English translation can be produced. For D&T, upload a clear scan or photo of the document; we do not need the original hard copy to prepare the translation.
Documents we translate
Common BOLE foreign legal education documents
The exact set of documents depends on your background, country, law school and BOLE's review of your file. If any required document is not in English, it may need certified translation.
TR
Law school transcripts
Final official transcripts, academic records, grade reports and course-by-course records showing dates, courses, grades, credits and degree award information.
DG
Degree certificates
Diplomas, degree certificates and graduation certificates when the transcript does not clearly state the degree awarded or award date.
AD
Admission or practice proof
Admission certificates, bar admission records or proof of fulfillment of educational requirements for admission to practice law in the foreign country.
AC
Accreditation statements
Statements from competent accrediting agencies confirming that the law school was recognized, qualified and approved during the period of study.
SP
Supplemental papers
Additional documents requested by BOLE, such as explanations of credits, instruction time, degree structure, legal education duration or law office study.
LLM
LL.M. support documents
For applicants relying on an LL.M. cure provision, non-English foreign documents may still need certified translation before BOLE can evaluate the file.
What D&T includes
Upload BOLE documents
A certified translation package designed for official review.
For BOLE-related translations, D&T prepares a complete English translation and a signed certification statement. The certification can include the translator's qualifications and a statement certifying the accuracy of the translation.
Certification statement
Prepared to address BOLE's accuracy and qualification language.
Academic formatting
Course names, grades, dates and seals are handled with clear formatting.
Secure upload
Upload scans or photos through the quote/order portal.
Digital-first workflow
We prepare the translation from the scans or photos you upload through the quote
form.
Process
How to order BOLE certified translations
The safest workflow is to keep BOLE's document-handling rules separate from the translation workflow. Your school may need to send official records directly to BOLE, while D&T can prepare the certified English translation from the copy you provide.
Upload a readable scan or photo
Upload the transcript, degree certificate or other non-English paper through the quote form. If BOLE requires an original from your school, that is separate from the copy you upload to D&T for translation.
Tell us it is for NY BOLE
Add a note that the translation is for New York State Board of Law Examiners foreign legal education review. If you have a BOLE ID or specific file reference that should appear on the translation package, include it in your order notes.
We translate and certify
A qualified translator prepares the English translation. The final package includes a certification statement with translator qualification language and an accuracy certification.
You review the translation
Review names, dates, course titles and institution names carefully. Tell us if a specific spelling, transliteration or BOLE-related identifier should be used.
Receive your certified translation
You receive the certified translation digitally for your records and submission planning. Follow BOLE's current instructions for how your official school documents and translations should be submitted.
Avoid delays
Common BOLE translation mistakes
A small documentation mistake can slow down an eligibility review. These are the issues applicants should avoid before ordering translations and arranging official school records.
Using a friend or family member
BOLE says applicant translations and non-certified third-party translations are not accepted, even when the person is fluent.
Not keeping a usable copy
If the only original goes directly to BOLE and you have no scan, photo or other copy for translation, the translator cannot prepare an accurate English translation.
Mixing document rules
The school-issued record and the translation may have different submission rules. Do not assume the translator can replace the school's official document.
Leaving names inconsistent
Names should be handled carefully across transcripts, degree certificates, passports and BOLE records. Provide preferred spellings early.
Omitting translator qualifications
The certification should not simply say "translated accurately." BOLE's wording calls for a statement setting forth the translator's qualifications.
Waiting until a deadline
Foreign legal education reviews can involve multiple institutions and document steps. Start translation early enough to handle review, revisions and BOLE submission planning.
FAQ
NY BOLE certified translation questions
These answers are based on BOLE's current Foreign Legal Education instructions and common certified translation workflows. Always follow the official BOLE instructions for your file.
Does BOLE require certified translations?
Yes, for non-English law school transcripts, degree certificates or other papers submitted to BOLE. The English translation must be authenticated by a certified translator and include qualification and accuracy language.
Can I translate my own transcript for BOLE?
No. BOLE says translations by the applicant or by a non-certified third party will not be accepted, even if that person is fluent in the language.
Do translations have to come directly from my university?
No. BOLE says translations need not come directly from the issuing school or university. This is different from BOLE's rules for official school-issued documents. D&T prepares the translation from the digital scan or photo you upload.
What if I do not have a transcript copy for translation?
BOLE advises ordering a second original from your school if you do not have a copy from which an English translation can be produced. For D&T, you should upload a clear scan or photo through the quote form.
Does the BOLE translation need notarization?
The BOLE language discussed on this page focuses on authentication by a certified translator, translator qualifications and accuracy certification. Notarization is a separate service and can be added if BOLE or another receiving party specifically requests it.
How do I send my documents to D&T?
Upload clear scans or photos through the quote form. D&T does not need the original hard copy to prepare the certified translation.
Are BOLE translations the same as sworn translations?
Usually no. BOLE asks for an English translation authenticated by a certified translator with qualification and accuracy language. Sworn translation is a different country-specific concept used by some foreign authorities.
Is D&T affiliated with BOLE?
No. D&T Translations is an independent translation agency and is not affiliated with the New York State Board of Law Examiners. Applicants should review the official BOLE website before submitting documents.
Ready for BOLE translation?
Upload your foreign legal education documents for a certified English translation quote.
Send the transcript, degree certificate or supporting paper you need translated. D&T will review the language, page count and certification needs, then prepare a quote for your BOLE-ready certified translation.