How to Obtain a Copy of Your High School Diploma

It's easy to lose or damage your high school diploma. If you need a copy of your high school diploma, whether for a job application, college enrollment, or personal reasons, this article outlines the steps you can take to obtain one. A high school diploma provides proof that you completed high school and (hopefully!) have all the knowledge and skills that go along with that accomplishment.

Initial Steps: Contacting Your High School

The easiest way to get your diploma is to contact your former high school and ask them what the process is for this is. First, contact your school, tell them that you are trying to get a copy of your high school diploma, and ask them how you can do that. Once you contact your school, the process for getting a copy of your diploma is usually pretty straightforward. Some schools issue copies of diplomas themselves, but others do not. In those cases, you will be directed to a different agency, most likely a school district office or a state’s Department of Education.

You may have to fill out an official request form, either in paper or online. Commonly, these ask for just some basic information, such as your name, address, date of graduation, and signature. You may have to prove your identity by sending a copy of your ID or telling them information such as your date of birth or social security number.

Expect to pay a small fee to get your copy, usually somewhere between 5 and 15 dollars. Most of the time, the Department of Education or the school district will charge you a processing fee. Typically, it is somewhere between 5 and 15 dollars. Do not expect to receive an electronic copy unless you’re told otherwise. Only expect an electronic copy if you are specifically promised one. Plan to wait between 2 and 3 weeks on average for your request to be processed and delivered.

If Your School Is Closed or Unresponsive

However, sometimes you simply can't get in contact with your school and have to try another method of getting your diploma. This may also be the case if your high school has closed down. If your school has closed down since you graduated or they could not help you, get in touch with the office of the school district.

Read also: Lakeside High Diploma Information

If you attended a public high school, contact the district office for the district your school used to belong to. Search "school district [your school's district number] [state you live in]" to find your district's contact information. From there, you can contact the district and tell them you are trying to get a copy of your high school diploma.

Even if you can reach your school district, there’s a chance they’ll refer you to the Department of Education, if they handle diplomas in your state. If you can't find your school's district, the district no longer exists, or you went to a private high school, contact your state's Department of Education.

If you’d like, you can try contacting your Department of Education before contacting your school district. You might find this page under an unexpected heading in the site directory. The Department of Education will have records for current and past high schools, and they should be able to put you in contact with someone who can help you get your diploma. If you attended a private high school, you can also search for its records and contact information on the National Center for Education Statistics page for private schools. After you enter some information about your school, such as its name and location, the site should be able to retrieve contact information you can use.

Once you have learned about the specific process for your school district or state, simply follow the guidelines. As with requesting a copy from your high school, there will usually be both a form you need to fill out. You often cannot use a personal check.

Sealed Copies of Diplomas

Occasionally, a school or employer will request that you send them a sealed copy of your diploma. What this means is that the diploma will be placed inside a sealed envelope that is usually stamped or otherwise marked with your school's stamp or seal. If you need to send a sealed copy, don't open the envelope you get the diploma in before you send it! The diploma itself will look exactly the same whether it's sealed or unsealed. Sealing the diploma is a way for the recipient to know that it is genuine and wasn't tampered with. If you are required to send a sealed diploma, be sure to mention this when you order your copy.

Read also: Job Skills for Students

Alternatives to a Diploma Copy

The most likely reason you can't get your diploma is because you were unable to contact your high school. One possibility is to substitute your high school transcript for your diploma. If you have a copy of your transcript or are able to get one, it may be able to serve as a replacement for your diploma. This is especially true if it's the final version of your transcript, created after you graduated because it will list every high school class you took and will often contain a note that you graduated. Most colleges only require your high school transcript, but some may also want to see a copy of your diploma as well. Some schools, particularly if you graduated a while ago, may not give duplicate copies of your diploma and will instead send you a copy of your final high school transcript.

If you can't get a copy of either your diploma or high school transcript, there are a couple of possible solutions. You could ask one of your former teachers to write a letter stating when you graduated, you could submit relevant coursework you completed, or you could submit standardized test scores in place of a diploma. Some places are very strict with their requirements while others are more flexible, so some of these options may not always work.

What Not to Do

In any case, what you should definitely not do is try to make or buy a fake high school diploma. Not only is this illegal, but you will almost certainly be fired or expelled if it's discovered that you fabricated documents.

Additional Options: GED

The easiest way would be to get your GED, which is a different type of diploma for students who are nontraditional high school graduates.

Diploma Translation

You don't typically have to translate your diploma-it's more of a document of proof that you've accomplished something. In most instances when you're trying to prove that you have a diploma, they're going to ask for a transcript from the schools you graduated from.

Digital Credentials and Parchment Services

Parchment's mission is to turn credentials into opportunities. Parchment helps learners collect and manage all of the credentials they earn in their life in one place. Students have many pathways. Schools need to support them no matter where they are going. Parchment makes it simple. Securely centralize, manage, and track requests for student transfer documents without the hassle. Stop stressing about the safety of your paper records. The student pathway is changing. Support student pathways across every high school and higher education institution in your state. Open new doors for learners who have completed their high school equivalency exam. Receive all your official documentation in one easy-to-use, secure inbox.

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Florida Department of Education and GED Services

The Florida Department of Education holds the official records for the High School Equivalency Diploma Program. Diploma and transcript services are provided by Parchment/GED Testing Service on behalf of the Florida Department of Education. The PDF documents are verified by GED Testing Service/Parchment each time they are opened using Blue Ribbon Security. A printed diploma can be ordered in your GED® account at GED.com for $10 plus shipping. After logging in, go to My Scores and select Order Duplicates. There is a $20 fee charged for each duplicate transcript or diploma ordered. You will have a choice of an electronic or printed credential. If you earned your diploma in Florida after January 1, 2014, you can order duplicate credentials in your GED® account at GED.com. After logging in, go to My Scores and select Order Duplicates. If you earned your diploma in Florida prior to January 1, 2014, you can request your duplicate credentials here. Verifications of Florida’s High School Equivalency Diploma earned by passing the GED® tests will only be provided by ordering from Parchment.

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