Portuguese to English Academic Transcript Translation for Immigration

What a Brazilian Academic Transcript Contains

A Brazilian academic transcript, usually called histórico escolar, summarises your entire course of study at the university. It lists personal identifiers (full name, registration number), programme details (degree title, field of study, admission year), and a semester-by-semester log of every subject taken. You will see the discipline code, subject name, credit hours (carga horária), final grade, and attendance frequency. Many transcripts also show the overall weighted average (média), the ENADE (Exame Nacional de Desempenho de Estudantes) result when available, and the diploma registration number. Institutions like the Catholic University of Salvador (in Salvador, Bahia) format the document with the university’s crest, the issuing department, and the date of issuance. Understanding this layout helps when you need to present the document to an immigration authority or a credential evaluation service.

Common Portuguese Terms on a Transcript

Even if you speak conversational Portuguese, academic vocabulary can be unfamiliar. The table below covers the most frequent terms found on a Brazilian university transcript and their English equivalents.

Portuguese Term	Pronunciation (approx.)	English Meaning
Histórico Escolar	is-TÓ-ri-ku es-ko-LAR	Academic transcript
Nome do Aluno	NO-mee doo a-LOO-noo	Student name
Curso	KUR-soo	Degree programme
Período	pe-REE-oh-doo	Semester / term
Disciplina	jee-see-PLEE-na	Subject / course
Carga Horária	KAR-ga o-RAH-ree-a	Credit hours / workload
Nota	NO-ta	Grade
Frequência	fre-KEN-see-a	Attendance (%)
Média	MEH-dee-a	Weighted average
ENADE	e-NAH-jee	National student performance exam

Grading in Brazil typically uses a 0–10 scale, but some universities show a 0–100 scale or letter equivalents. The transcript often includes the conceito (overall evaluation) as well. For more detail on the Brazilian grading system, see the Academic grading in Brazil reference.

Why You Need an English Translation of Your Transcript for Immigration

Immigration applications to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other English‑speaking countries routinely ask for educational documents in English. An original Portuguese transcript is not acceptable on its own, the reviewing officer must be able to read every subject name and grade. An English translation lets you submit a complete petition packet, respond to a request for evidence, or initiate a credential evaluation. Common scenarios include employment‑based visa petitions, family‑sponsored green card processes, and study permit applications. The UK Home Office guidance on translating documents for visa applications and the USCIS translation requirements for supporting documents both emphasise that every foreign‑language document must be accompanied by a complete English version.

AI Translation vs. Human‑Certified Work: When Each Suits Your Immigration Case

For many people, an instant AI‑generated English translation of a Brazilian transcript is enough. If you are simply reviewing the document yourself, preparing a draft petition, or want a clear understanding of your grades and course names before working with an advisor, the self‑serve translation path works well, you get a DOCX in minutes at a fraction of traditional costs. The output is accurate, preserves the tabular layout, and covers every field on the transcript.

If you need to file the translation with a government office, a court, or a professional licensing board, the specific agency may require a certified translation: a document that is signed and sealed by a qualified certifier, often with a statement of accuracy. Lekhak offers certified translation on‑demand for these official submissions. For the majority of readers who just want the translated content quickly, the DIY AI path is the right starting point, and you can always request certification later if your application demands it.

What Lekhak’s AI Translation Produces for a Transcript

When you upload a scanned PDF or a clear photo of your Brazilian transcript, Lekhak’s AI pipeline extracts the Portuguese text, translates it into English, and delivers a single DOCX file. The output retains the table structure of the original, each subject, grade, and credit hour sits in its own cell, so the reader sees a clean, structured document. The header with the university crest is preserved as an image when possible; handwritten annotations and stamps are captured but may not be pixel‑perfect. The translation covers every text element on the page, including footnotes and course codes. What the instant output does not include is a translator’s signature or certificate of accuracy, it is a plain‑language translation ready for personal use, internal review, or submission preparation.

When You Need Notarisation, Apostille, or Embassy Attestation

Some immigration authorities or professional bodies ask for more than a translation, they require notarisation or an apostille to verify the authenticity of the original diploma or transcript. This is a separate chain of steps: first you obtain a certified translation (which Lekhak can provide on‑demand), then you approach a local notary or the appropriate government office for notarisation and, if needed, an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention. For non‑Hague countries, embassy legalisation follows the state‑level and central‑level authentication. You arrange notarisation, apostille, and consular legalisation directly through the relevant authorities; Lekhak does not perform these acts. Many universities also issue digital transcripts that are signed electronically, which may simplify the later verification steps.

Brazilian Transcript Variants and What Changes by University

No two Brazilian universities format their historicos the same way. A transcript from Salvador, Bahia, might use a 0–10 grading scale and list ENADE scores prominently, while a federal university in São Paulo may present a 0–100 scale and group subjects by annual period rather than semester. Some show the conceito (A–E) alongside the numeric grade; others include course codes that reference the national curriculum guidelines. A software engineering bachelor’s degree transcript, for example, often lists laboratory‑heavy disciplines with distinct credit‑hour calculations. These variants matter for translation accuracy because the English output must reflect the actual grading logic, not assume a universal scale. AI‑powered translation handles such variation well when the source scan is legible, because the model recognises the numeric and textual patterns without needing a pre‑defined template.

How to Get a Duplicate of Your Original Transcript if You’ve Lost It

If you cannot locate your original histórico escolar, you will need to request a second via from the university that issued it. Most Brazilian institutions keep lifelong student records. Start by visiting the university’s website and looking for the secretaria acadêmica or registro acadêmico section. You will typically need to provide your full name at the time of enrolment, the course name, and your enrolment or registration year. Some universities charge a small fee for issuing a duplicate; the process can take a few days to several weeks. Once you have the official document (digital or printed and scanned), you can upload it into any translation tool. If the original was issued in Bahia or another state, the issuing office name and contact details are visible on the document itself.

FAQ: Portuguese to English Transcript Translation for Immigration

Is an AI‑translated transcript enough for a US visa petition?

For personal review and draft preparation, yes. For final submission, USCIS typically requires a certified translation. Lekhak’s instant AI output gives you the translated content; you can request certified translation on‑demand if the adjudicator asks for one.

What file formats can I upload for translation of my Brazilian transcript?

You can upload a PDF, DOCX, DOC, or a clear JPG/PNG image. The AI processes scanned pages and delivers a formatted DOCX in English.

How long does the AI translation take?

Most transcripts are translated in under two minutes after upload. You get the DOCX as soon as the pipeline finishes, no waiting for office hours.

Will my subject names and grades be translated correctly?

Yes, the AI handles Portuguese academic terminology with high accuracy. Common subjects like Cálculo I become “Calculus I” and Programação de Software becomes “Software Programming.” The grading scale is preserved as‑is.

Does the translated DOCX keep the original table layout?

Yes, the AI preserves the structure of the transcript table. Each subject, grade, and credit hour appears in its own cell, mirroring the original layout.

Can I use the AI translation for a credential evaluation through WES or ECE?

Credential evaluation services usually accept certified translations. The instant AI output can serve as a working copy, but you may need a certified version for the official evaluation. Lekhak can provide that upon request.

What if my transcript includes handwritten notes or stamps?

The AI reads printed text and common stamp typography well. Handwritten notes may not be fully captured if they are faint or cursive, upload the clearest possible scan.

Do I need an apostille on the transcript itself before translation?

Not typically. The apostille authenticates the original document; the translation is a separate step. You arrange the apostille through the Hague Apostille process after obtaining a certified translation if required.

Does the translation include ENADE scores?

Yes, if the ENADE result appears on the transcript, it will be translated and appear in the same position in the output DOCX.

What does the free trial include for transcript translation?

New users receive 250 credits at sign‑up, which covers several pages of AI translation. You can translate a full transcript and see the DOCX output before deciding to purchase additional credits. See lekhak.app/pricing for current credit rates.