Maybe you graduated high school a few months ago or maybe it has been a few years. Either way, not only do you have memories to commemorate that special time in your life, but you also have your high school diploma. A high school diploma is more than just a piece of paper. It's important because it provides proof of graduation and that you successfully completed your high school studies.
What a Copy of a High School Diploma Can Be Used For
A copy of a high school diploma can be useful for many different things. It can be given as a gift to a relative to honor your special accomplishment or you can use the copy for yourself to display in your home. Having a copy keeps your original safe. A copy of a high school diploma can also be helpful when applying for a job to show the employer that you did complete high school.
How to Get a Copy of a High School Diploma
If you graduated high school or completed an online program within the past three years or less, you may be able to visit your former high school and get a copy from them. You'll need to request your high school transcripts first to confirm the completion of your work. If you're unable to get a copy of your high school transcripts or diploma at your high school, the school district office where your school is located will be able to provide you with your high school transcripts and a copy of your diploma. Additionally, if your high school program is online, your school will have a link on their website that will allow you to request a copy of your diploma.
What a Certified Copy of a Diploma Can Be Used For
A certified copy of a diploma is a nationally recognized proof of graduation that can be given to employers to verify your accomplishment. A certified copy of a diploma is also a requirement when applying for college and other secondary education programs.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Diploma
In order to get a certified copy of a diploma, you'll need to contact the school district office of where your high school is located. You'll need to visit them in person to request your high school transcripts and a certified copy of a diploma, and they'll most likely charge you a small fee. You might not even need to visit the office; you may be able to locate the information of where to make the request online through the district's website. Every district office is different, so you may want to call in advance to find out the cost of a certified copy of a diploma and if they accept cash, check or credit card.
Some school districts don't have the ability to manage and file thousands of transcripts and diplomas, so they have an outside company manage their requests. If this is the case, the district office will provide you with the contact information of the vendor they use, such as www.needmytranscript.com. Additionally, this information might be listed on your school district's website. You'll be able to contact the vendor online or over the phone to request a certified copy of a diploma, pay a small fee and then they'll forward a copy according to their shipping schedule. Some vendors can even provide you with a certified document online within seconds. All vendors are different and don't provide all of the same services. It's important to order your certified diploma as early as possible, as some shipping times could take a few days or more than a few weeks.
Graduates of an Accredited Online Program
If you graduated high school from an accredited online program and need proof of graduation, your online school will provide a link to the vendor they use to request a certified copy of your diploma. You'll need to pay a small fee, and they'll send your certified diploma for your use.
Having a copy of your diploma as proof of graduation is a great document to have. Having a certified copy of a diploma is even better. Should you ever need either, their both inexpensive and easy to obtain.