Have you recently misplaced your high school or college diploma? Do you need to get your diploma to hang in your room/office, but not sure where it went? If so, then you need to invest in a replacement diploma.
Doing so can help you get a diploma that looks exactly like the real thing. You can hang it on your wall to show off your education. In fact, some people purchase a replica diploma with the real diploma stored away safely, so they can hang the fake one with total peace of mind.
See below for an in-depth guide on how much a replacement diploma would cost, what to do if you've lost yours, and the benefits of a replacement diploma.
How Much Does A Replacement Diploma Cost?
It's never a good feeling to lose your diploma. You feel as if you spent all of this time and effort on a piece of paper, only to have it misplaced a few years down the line.
Here's the good news: there is always a way to get a replacement. However, it might turn out to be a more elaborate process than you had imagined.
There are two methods we'd recommend. First, try to request a replacement diploma from your alma mater. You can reach out to their registrar's office (every school has one) to put in a request to have a diploma replacement and/or copy. We'll give you more instructions on how to do this below.
If you choose to go this route, know that the fee for a diploma replacement could cost anywhere from $50 to $150. The costs depend on the institution, the custom features of the diploma, and so forth.
If for some reason this method won't work for your situation, then you can consider creating a fake version of your diploma online. Please note that these cannot be used for job applications; merely to be used as a wall decoration. This method typically won't cost any more than $100 at the most.
How to Receive a Replacement Diploma
As we mentioned above, the primary way that you'll go about receiving a replacement diploma is by requesting a new copy from your alma mater's registrar.
Start this part of the process by contacting your college's mainline and requesting to be directed to the registrar. Some colleges also have this number on their website.
When you get in touch with the registrar, let him/her know of your interest in receiving a replacement diploma, and be sure to ask what information they'll need. If your college abides strictly by the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) rules, then you'll need to provide the following:
- Your birth date
- Your social security number
- Your degree
- The name of the college
- Your mailing address
- The reason you need a replacement (as well as how you misplaced the original copy)
This process differs from college to college. Some take it so seriously that they require a notary to get involved as well. Others are loose with the process and might just require you to fill out a replacement diploma request form.
All of this starts with a phone call. Ask the registrar about their process for helping you obtain a replacement copy of your diploma.
Benefits of Receiving a Replacement Diploma
Some of you reading this might be back and forth on receiving a replacement diploma. You might be wondering, "Is it really worth all the effort?" Yes, it is! Read below for the benefits of getting your replacement diploma.
Your Crown Jewel
You worked hard for that diploma. No matter what your background story is for the diploma, it took years of dedication and hard work.
Maybe you were a single mom that worked nights to get a college degree and get into your dream field of work. Perhaps your college diploma was your initiation into adulthood when you graduated with your Bachelor's degree.
Whatever the case, get your hands on a replacement diploma and a beautiful diploma frame to hang in your office/house. You deserve it!
Easy Process
Don't be cooled off by the steps that we highlighted earlier. As we pointed out, not all schools are as strict with their policies for a replacement diploma.
Here's what we encourage you: just call. Call the registrar and just see what it would take to get your hands on a replacement diploma, how much it would cost, etc.
After that phone call, you can decide whether or not you wish to take the next step. We're willing to bet that you will!
Protection for the Original
Diplomas don't just disappear. Typically, they're stored somewhere safe. If that's the case with you, then your original will probably turn up down the line.
But why not request the replacement diploma anyways? That way, you can keep the original diploma safe and sound, while having the replacement diploma hang on your wall and show off. That way, if anything happens to the replacement copy, it's no harm at all.
Depending on when you graduated, your replacement diploma might have different signatures on it from the original anyways, so by all means, show it off!
Invest in a Replacement Diploma and Frame Today
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to get your hands on a replacement diploma and how much that might cost, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Start by reading this article for more information on why people frame their diplomas and why you should follow their lead! Be sure to browse our site for more helpful articles and beautiful diploma frame ideas.