Education Records and Credentials
Schools and other institutions issue transcripts, diplomas, certificates, and other education records. The institution that holds the record and the organization receiving it may have different roles in the process.
Official and unofficial records
An unofficial transcript is typically a copy a student can view or provide themselves. An official transcript is issued through the school or its authorized records process. “Official” does not necessarily mean paper: an institution may offer an official electronic record.
Sealed copies and direct delivery
A sealed paper transcript, an official electronic transcript, and a transcript sent directly from the school are related but different requirements. A licensing board, employer, or school may accept one and reject another. The school, employer, licensing board, or other organization asking for the transcript determines which delivery method and format it accepts.
When direct delivery from the issuer is required, the school, registrar, or authorized records service generally sends the record directly to the organization that requested it. A student-held copy may not satisfy the same requirement even when the information on it is identical.
Where transcript records come from
For high-school transcripts, the U.S. Department of Education points to the school district, state department of education, or non-public school. The Department itself does not keep school transcripts. College records generally come from the college or registrar. If a school has closed, a state agency or another institution may hold the records.
Credential evaluation
For education completed outside the United States, a credential evaluation compares one education system with another. The U.S. Department of Education explains that recognition decisions are generally made by the school, employer, state licensing board, or other organization using the credential. The Department does not evaluate foreign qualifications or endorse a particular evaluation service.
Translation and evaluation are separate
A non-English transcript or diploma may involve translation, credential evaluation, or both. Translation changes the language of the document; evaluation compares the education represented by the credential with another system. The organization using the record may specify the evaluator, report type, translation format, or delivery method it accepts.