How to Translate Documents to English in Nepal (for Going Abroad)
Going abroad to study or work? Your Nepali documents must be translated into English and certified. Here is the full process — translation, notarization and attestation.
विदेश जानका लागि नेपाली कागजातलाई अंग्रेजीमा अनुवाद र नोटरीबाट प्रमाणित गर्ने पूरा प्रक्रिया।
For a student visa, work visa, or foreign employment, embassies and universities require your Nepali documents in English. A simple translation is not enough — it must be a certified translation and usually notarized, and for some countries, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the destination embassy.
The chain: Original document → certified English translation → notary public certification → (if required) MoFA attestation → destination embassy attestation.
Which Documents Usually Need Translation
- Citizenship certificate (नागरिकता)
- Academic transcripts & certificates — SEE, +2, Bachelor, Master (marksheet + character certificate)
- Birth certificate (जन्म दर्ता)
- Marriage certificate (विवाह दर्ता) — for spouse/dependent visas
- Police clearance / character certificate
- Relationship / migration certificates as required
Step-by-Step Process
- Get a certified translation. Use a registered translation service. The translation must be accurate and on the translator's official letterhead with a stamp and declaration.
- Notarize it. A Notary Public (नोटरी) certifies that the translation matches the original. Bring both the original and the translation.
- Academic documents: transcripts may also need verification from the issuing board or university (NEB for +2, TU/KU/PU for degrees) before or alongside translation.
- MoFA attestation (if required). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa.gov.np) attests documents for use abroad.
- Embassy attestation (if required). Some countries require final attestation by their embassy in Kathmandu.
💡 Tip: Always ask the receiving university, employer or embassy exactly what level of certification they need — some accept a notarized translation, others demand full MoFA + embassy attestation. Doing only what is required saves time and money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Names spelled differently across documents — keep spelling identical to your passport.
- Translating but forgetting notarization when it is required.
- Leaving attestation to the last minute — MoFA and embassy steps take extra days.
- Using an uncertified translation that the embassy rejects.
Do You Need to Translate to Nepali Too?
Sometimes yes — foreign documents (e.g. a foreign degree, marriage abroad, or foreign birth certificate) used inside Nepal must be translated into Nepali and notarized for government offices. The same notary-certified process applies in reverse.
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