3 Easy Ways to Request High School Transcripts

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Learn how to get copies of your high school transcript for free
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Do you need a copy of your high school transcript to apply to college, find a job, or for your own personal use? If so, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll teach you how to request a transcript in just a few simple steps, whether you’re a student or a graduate. We’ll also provide some tips for how to obtain an online copy for free (plus, how to receive your transcript if your school is no longer in operation).

Getting Your High School Transcripts

Request your transcript online by going to the alumni or student services page on your school’s website. Most schools provide an unofficial copy for free. Alternatively, use a third-party service like Parchment to get your transcript. Or, contact your state department of education .

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Requesting Transcripts from a Public School (US)

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  1. Many high schools allow you to request a transcript through their official website, and some even let you print out an unofficial copy for free. Just navigate to the alumni or student services page to find out more information about requesting a transcript online. [1]
    • If your school offers online requests, you might be able to have your school send your transcript to a third party, such as a university or employer.
  2. Some high schools outsource their transcript services to third-party websites like Parchment and Need My Transcript . These sites let you request electronic and paper copies, as long as you provide the necessary identification information (your name, enrollment status, and years attended). [2] You will have to pay a small fee to request your transcript, with most high schools charging around $3-10 per copy. [3]
    • You can also request to send your transcript to a university or employer, as long as you provide the relevant destination information. [4]
    • Some high schools let students access unofficial transcripts for free, but you will have to pay the processing fee to send an official copy to a third party.
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  3. One of the most common ways to request a transcript is to request it directly from your high school. You can usually do this in person at your school’s registrar, student services or guidance counseling office, as long as you provide the relevant identification information and your graduation year. If you aren’t sure who to contact, call your school’s main office line. [5]
    • If you need an unofficial transcript, your school can probably provide you a copy in a few minutes, but it may take several days to process a request for an official transcript.
  4. If you recently graduated from a public high school, your records will likely be stored at your local school district office or county board of education. Find your school district’s contact information online at the National Center for Education Statistics , then call or email them to request a copy of your transcript. [6]
    • Depending on your school, you may be able to request your transcripts online, over the phone, or through the mail.
    • The district can also send official copies on your behalf to a university or employer if you pay a small processing fee between $3-10.
  5. If your individual school doesn’t have your student records on file or you can’t find your school district online, contact your state department of education to request a copy. You can call or email a representative to get help, or they might direct you to a third-party website to order a transcript. [7]
    • For example, the Department of Labor & Workforce Development oversees all high school transcripts in the state of Tennessee, and they provide all of their diplomas and transcripts through DiplomaSender . [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Requesting Transcripts from a Private School (US)

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  1. Private schools are required to keep some student records permanently, so you can request your transcript by contacting the school directly. Search for your school’s information on the National Center for Education Statistics website , then call, email, or visit the school campus to see how you can obtain a copy. [9]
    • Tip: If you’re having trouble finding your school through the National Center for Education Statistics, try only entering the city, state, and key word in their search engine.
    • Keep in mind that the school can withhold your transcript if you did not finish paying your tuition or other fees. [10]
  2. Some private high schools provide their transcripts through third-party websites like Parchment and Need My Transcript . All you need to do is look up your school on the site’s search engine to see if they’re a partner. If so, you can request a paper or electronic copy of your transcript online, as long as you provide the relevant identification information (your name, enrollment status, and years attended). [11]
    • Depending on your school, you will have to pay a small processing fee to request your transcript, but it typically costs between $3-10.
    • You can also request that your transcripts be delivered to a third party, such as a university or employer.
  3. If the private school you attended is no longer in operation or you can’t find the school’s information online, contact your state department of education to request a copy of your transcript. Provide as much information as you can, including the school name, address, county, and your years of attendance. [12]
    • Most states have a Private Schools Office that can handle your request.
  4. If your school is no longer in operation, contact the organization responsible for maintaining school accreditation in your area. This organization is usually the custodian of records for schools that close, which you can find by searching your state and accreditation commission on Google. [13]
    • For example, in Texas, you would contact the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. [14]
    • Alternatively, you can contact your state licensing agency to ask if they have your student records on file. [15]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Requesting Transcripts from a School in Canada

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  1. Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan and Alberta, allow online transcript requests for secondary school (high school) transcripts. Look on your province’s Ministry of Education website to see whether your province provides this option. [16]
    • You can pay for online transcripts via credit card, and they typically cost between $10-25 per copy. [17]
  2. In Canada, the individual provinces are responsible for public education. If you attended secondary school at a public school in Canada, you can contact the school directly to request your transcripts. Just look on your province’s Ministry of Education website to find your school’s contact information. [18]
    • For example, you can find a specific school in Ontario on their school information finder .
    • If you graduated within the past 5 years, your individual school most likely has your records.
  3. Sometimes, individual schools maintain their records in a central office, rather than keeping them at the school. If this is the case or your school is no longer in operation, use your province’s school board finder to help you get the relevant contact information. This finder is available on the Ministry of Education website . [19]
    • If you graduated over 5 years ago or your school is no longer in operation, the school board most likely has your records.
  4. Most private schools in Canada keep their transcript records on file at the school. If you attended a private school (or your private school is no longer in operation), search for your school's information on the Ministry of Education website or Google. [20]
    • You can request a copy of your transcript via phone, email, or in person, as long as you provide the relevant identification information (your name, graduation year, and years attended).
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get a high school transcript from a closed high school?
    Community Answer
    Contact the school district your high school was a part of. If that fails, contact your state Department of Education.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 31
  • Question
    Can I get my transcripts offline instead of going to the school?
    Community Answer
    You can't download your transcripts, but you might be able to request them online, depending on whether that school's website provides that option. Visit the website and see. If not, you can always call them.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 18
  • Question
    Do online colleges check your high school transcripts?
    Community Answer
    This would vary by institution. Some smaller schools may not require transcripts. It should be easy to look up requirements of admission on the school's website admissions page. If you are required to submit a transcript, they will most certainly be looking for specific information, at the very least, your GPA.
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      Tips

      • Before sending your transcript to a university via a third-party website, make sure you look over the destination information. Most universities request that you deliver them to their admissions department, but check the institution’s official website or your application forms in case they want you to send it elsewhere. [21]
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      • Have a driver’s license, state ID, or another form of identification on you when requesting a transcript, as it may be needed to prove your identity.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about school transcripts, check out our in-depth interview with Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. .

      References

      1. ↑ https://nces.ed.gov/statprog/handbook/hsts.asp
      2. ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/march/how-to-get-high-school-transcripts
      3. ↑ https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/secondary-programs-and-personalized-pathways/college-planning/ordering-your-mmsd-high-school-transcript#6
      4. ↑ https://www.lehman.edu/registrar/documents/ParchmentGuidetoOrdering.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/march/how-to-get-high-school-transcripts
      6. ↑ https://www.ed.gov/answers/link/portal/28022/28025/Article/609/High-school-transcripts
      7. ↑ https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/student-records-and-transcripts/
      8. ↑ https://www.tn.gov/workforce/jobs-and-education/ae/aer/diplomainformation.html
      9. ↑ https://extranet.education.alberta.ca/pasidevnet/Docs/Business/high_school_transcript_pdf_specification.html
      1. ↑ https://www.aacs.org/assets/Legal-Reports/Withholding-Student-Records.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.lehman.edu/registrar/documents/ParchmentGuidetoOrdering.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Transcript-Requirements-and-Guidance.pdf
      4. ↑ https://esc13.net/services/charter-school-records-request
      5. ↑ https://www.tepsac.org/#/home
      6. ↑ https://www.nj.gov/education/adulted/verification/transcript.shtml
      7. ↑ https://alis.alberta.ca/explore-education-and-training/get-high-school-transcripts/
      8. ↑ https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/studrec/marks.html
      9. ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/transcripts-and-certificates/transcripts
      10. ↑ https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/academic-transcripts.html
      11. ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-student-transcript-manual
      12. ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/march/how-to-get-high-school-transcripts

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you need to request your high school transcripts from a public school in the U.S. and you still attend that school, you can contact the registrar or counselor or the school, and they can send your records wherever they are needed. If you have recently graduated or moved, you will likely need to contact the school district office or county board of education. If it’s been several years, you may need to contact your state’s Department of Education. You may be able to request your transcripts online, over the phone, or through the mail. To learn how to request your transcripts from a Canadian school, keep reading!

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