How to Get College Transcripts

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA. Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 98,520 times.

When you complete your college degree, you may think you are done with the hallowed halls of your university’s campus. However, if you are applying for graduate schools, or even certain jobs, you may need to request your official transcript from your institution. Your official transcripts can be requested in person, through the mail, or online, but they are considered confidential information. Keep in mind your official transcripts can only be released to you, or to persons you have authorized for their release. [1] X Research source

Method 1 of 4:

Requesting Your Transcripts Online

The information on your unofficial transcript will be reproduced on your official transcript. If you receive your official transcript and there is an error, it will take time and money to correct the mistake.
Make sure your most recent information is on the transcript. If you have just recently graduated, or will be graduating shortly, your most recent grades should still be on your official transcript, so long as the professor has turned them in on time.
Double check that your grades are correct. Go over each grade on your unofficial transcript and make sure that they match the grades that you know you received for each class.

If you forgot your ID or password, click on the applicable “forgot my password” option and follow the steps listed. If you do not have an ID or password, you may have to print out the request form and mail it in or bring it in person to the enrollment office.
In general, most universities require two to three working days to process official transcript requests after receiving the request in the transcript or records office. However, this period of time may be longer if you request your transcript close to the end of the semester.

Upload any additional documents. If you require additional documents for applications for the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), or the Pharmacy College Application Service(PHARMCAS), complete them and upload them to the online transcript request. You may need to scan the original documents to then upload them. [3] X Research source

You can pay this fee by credit, PayPal, or through your student account.

Advertisement Method 2 of 4:

Requesting Your Transcripts by Mail

The form will also note the cost per a transcript, usually $10-$15 per a transcript.

If you are sending multiple transcripts, all with additional documents, make photocopies of the additional documents and send enough copies for each transcript.

Include a check made out to the institution. You will need to pay a fee for the transcripts, $10-$15 per transcript, and make a check out to the institution for the total amount.

Many institutions list the admissions and enrollment mailing address on their website.

Advertisement Method 3 of 4:

Requesting Your Transcripts in Person

On the form, you will need to specify how many transcripts you are requesting. Most offices will allow you to order up to five official transcripts at a time.
You may also need additional documents attached to your official transcripts, such as forms for the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), or the Pharmacy College Application Service(PHARMCAS). Complete any additional forms and bring them with you so they can be added to your official transcript package.

Take the completed form with you so it can be processed by the admissions and enrollment office.

Pay the transcript request fee. The cost for official transcripts varies from university to university, but they are often around $10-$15 per transcript. Most enrollment offices will take cash, credit, or debit for payment.

Use picture ID to pick up the transcripts. Once you have paid the fee and your transcripts have been processed, you will need to show picture ID to pick up the transcripts.

Advertisement Method 4 of 4:

Receiving the Transcripts

To order PDF versions and have them sent to the recipients, you will need to provide the recipients’ email addresses, and verify that the recipients will accept an electronic transcript before you send them PDF transcripts.
The recipient will need to use an access code to view the PDF transcripts. The transcript may also contain a warning that the document is intended for the recipient’s use only and is considered a confidential document.
The cost for PDF transcripts are the same as paper transcripts (around $10-$15 per transcript).

Most institutions put a limit on how long the recipient has to access the PDF transcript, usually up to 30 days. If the recipient does not download the PDF transcript after several weeks, they should receive a reminder email prior to the expiration date.

If you choose FedEx delivery, your transcripts will be prepared and sent out on the next business day. So, if you requested the transcripts on a Monday night, they will be processed and prepared Tuesday, to be delivered on Wednesday.

If you are expecting the transcripts by mail, they should have a tracking number that can locate the transcripts to determine why you have not yet received them.

Community Q&A

How can I get transcripts from a "college" (ITT Tech) if it's no longer open? LibArtsPremed18 Top Answerer

When your school loses accreditation, it is required to keep your records for a certain amount of time. You should have received information when your school lost accreditation about how to access your records. If you never received that info, you should contact the Department of Education to compel the school to give you access to your transcripts.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

How do I get transcripts from an academy that closed? Community Answer

In the U.S. visit the U.S. Department of Education website or state higher education department. Specifically in Texas, use the THECB transcript request form.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Please provide your name and last initial Thanks for submitting a tip for review!