Did you know that around 3.7 million students will graduate high school in the United States this year, even with the ongoing pandemic?
That’s an amazing feat and if you’re one of those students, keep a hold of your diploma. It’s proof of your education, so it’s imperative to take good care of it.
However, if you lose it for whatever reason, it can be a big problem for you. This is especially true when you want to find a job that requires high school degrees.
Don’t feel hopeless, we’re here with a few solutions to help you out.
With this guide, you’ll learn how to order replacement diplomas. Read on and find out how:
1. Contact the Registrar Office at the School You Attended
This is your first step when getting copies of diplomas. Your school registrar maintains all the school’s student records and transcripts. They track each student’s class schedules and register them for classes.
That’s why one of their main responsibilities is to take all diploma copy and replacement requests. Get in touch with your alma mater’s registrar office to start the replacement process.
To do this, use Google to search for your school’s contact details. Often, the search result will display your school’s website, allowing you to look for their main phone number.
2. You’re the Only One Who Can Request for a Replacement Diploma
Schools keep their student records protected and private because of the 1974 FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). That’s why your parents and spouse can’t see your student records. It means the privilege of requesting your academic information is exclusively for you.
But if you’re ordering a diploma for a deceased relative, you have the privilege if you’re the next of kin or the former student’s estate executor. Regardless, each school will have its set of requirements when you order replacement diplomas. But the most common ones include submitting a written request.
Along with this, you must have a copy of identification documents like your passport or driver’s license. If you’re getting a diploma for the deceased, you must present proof of your relationship to them. After that, present their death certificate and your Power of Attorney or Letter of Appointment of Executor.
3. Pay the Necessary Fees
Regardless of the rules concerning the replacement process, every school will charge a fee. This will include the processing fee and the price of the replacement diploma. The only variation will be the total price of the replacement.
In most cases, replacing a diploma can cost anywhere from $25 to $150. This will depend on the school you’re in. A minor consideration for determining these fees is the degree type of the diploma.
4. Schools Only Process Mailed, Written Requests
When you’re asking for a replacement diploma, you must write a request since schools need it to be FERPA-compliant. This process helps in keeping fraud and identity theft to a minimum. The good news is you can find the applications on your school website, especially on the Office of the Registrar page.
In most cases, the application is a PDF you can print from your computer. After printing it out, fill the necessary information by hand and mail it to your school’s registrar. Most written requests include the following information:
- Reason for diploma replacement
- Birthdate
- Graduation Date
- Current address
- A notarized sworn statement proving loss of diploma
But that doesn’t mean these are the only requirements for replacing diplomas. Be vigilant and check your school’s website to ensure you have everything you need.
5. Find Out the Specific Diploma Replacement Process from Your School
As said above, it’s better to look at the specific requirements involved in replacing your diploma. The requirements can either be more or less than the ones stated above. But it’s highly likely for your request to involve some notarized documents.
That’s why you must know beforehand since it allows you to set a definite schedule with a notary public. Check the nearest licensed notary public services around. That way, you’ll be ready once you find out more about the documents needed.
Another thing to consider is that the replacement process will take some time. As a general rule, the replacement process can take anywhere between four to six weeks. But some schools can take a maximum of ten weeks to process your diploma.
If you have an emergency and you need to use your diploma ASAP, get a realistic diploma as a temporary replacement or placeholder. Be sure to read our guide here to discover other benefits of getting a temporary diploma. Even if you aren’t using it for emergencies, you can get one as a gag gift.
Care for Your Diplomas
Regardless of whether you have a high school diploma or a college diploma, its value never decreases. It’s one of the most valuable documents in your possession. That’s why you must preserve and protect it as soon as you get it.
Diplomas can easily get lost, whether you’re living in a house or an apartment. Over time, if you don’t use any protection on it, it’s likely to get destroyed by flooding, mold, or even fire. That’s why you must not be careless and use improper storage methods for it.
Most people won’t realize that the diploma’s original envelope, plastic holder, or cardboard tube can damage the document over time. The worst part is that the damage is often irreversible. These containers have acids that can eat away your diploma’s cellulose surface, making it brittle and crack.
That’s why if you want to protect your documents, your best choice is to get matting, backing, and mounting materials similar to museums to encase it. This makes it decorative while preserving it for generations to come.
Order Replacement Diplomas Today!
These are some considerations when you order replacement diplomas. Use these guidelines to ensure that the process moves along smoothly. This also helps shorten the period needed to wait for the diploma to arrive.
Did you need realistic diplomas while you wait for the real thing? If so, contact us today and let us help you!