This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Why would you need to request copies of your high school transcripts? Colleges and universities require them as part of the application process. Some employers, particularly government agencies, require proof of all education and training of prospective employees. You may also just want to have a copy for yourself. You’ll need to do a little research, but getting a copy of your high school transcript usually isn’t too hard. (Note: this information applies only to US and Canadian schools.)
Steps
Requesting Transcripts from a Public School (US)
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1Contact your individual school. If you are currently enrolled in high school, the best way to request your transcripts is to request them from your school.
- You can usually request your transcripts from your high school’s registrar, student services, or student counseling office. If you aren’t sure who to contact, call your school’s main information line.
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2Contact your school district. If you have graduated recently from a public school, your records will likely be stored at your local school district office or county board of education.[1]
- Depending on your school, you may be able to request your transcripts online, over the phone, or through the mail.
- You can search for your school district at the National Center for Education Statistics website.
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3Contact your state’s Department of Education. If it’s been awhile since you graduated from high school, you may need to contact your state’s Department of Education to request your transcripts.
- The US Department of Education has a searchable list by state, here.
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4Check online services. Many high schools now use services so that you can request your high school transcripts online. You can even request that your transcripts be delivered to a third party, such as a university or employer.
- Over 3,400 high schools in the US use Parchment.com for transcript requests.
Requesting Transcripts from a Private School (US)
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2Contact your school’s custodian of records. 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. [3]
- For example, in Texas, you would contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[4]
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3Contact your state Department of Education. If the private school you attended is no longer in operation, and you cannot contact the custodian of records for your school, contact your state’s Department of Education. Most states have a Private Schools Office that can handle your request.[5]
- Provide as much information as you can, including the school name, address, county, and your years of attendance.
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4Check online services. Many high schools now use services so that you can request your high school transcripts online. You can even request that your transcripts be delivered to a third party, such as a university or employer.
Requesting Transcripts from a School in Canada
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1Check if your province allows online requests. Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan and Alberta, allow online transcript requests for secondary school (high school) transcripts. Check your province’s Ministry of Education website to see whether your province has this option.[6] [7]
- You can usually pay via credit card for online transcript requests.
- Currently, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon provinces allow online requests.[8]
- New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island require you to contact your school.
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2Contact the school if you attended a public school within the past five years. 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 to request your transcripts.[9]
- Most provinces have a school information finder on their Ministry of Education website that can help you find the contact information for public schools in that province. For example, Ontario’s school finder is here.
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3Contact the school board. Sometimes, individual schools maintain their records in a central office, rather than keeping them at the school. You may be referred to the school board if this is the case for your school.[10]
- The Ministry of Education websites for each province usually also have a school board finder to help you find contact information. For example, Ontario’s school board finder is here.
- If you left school more than 5 years ago, you’ll need to contact the school board.
- You’ll also need to contact the school board if you attended a public secondary school that is no longer in operation.
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4Contact the private school. Most private schools in Canada keep their transcript records on file at the school. If you attended a private school, contact your school to request a transcript.
- If you attended a private school that is no longer in operation, you will need to contact your province’s Ministry of Education with as much information as possible to request your transcripts.
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I get a high school transcript from a closed high school?
Community AnswerContact the school district your high school was a part of. If that fails, contact your state Department of Education. -
QuestionCan I get my transcripts offline instead of going to the school?Community AnswerYou 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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QuestionDo online colleges check your high school transcripts?
Community AnswerThis 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.
References
- ↑ https://answers.ed.gov/link/portal/28022/28025/Article/609/High-school-transcripts
- ↑ https://answers.ed.gov/link/portal/28022/28025/Article/609/High-school-transcripts
- ↑ http://www.education.com/question/high-school-transcripts-private-school/
- ↑ http://www.sacs.org/
- ↑ http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/st/
- ↑ https://www.k12.gov.sk.ca/etranscript/
- ↑ http://alis.alberta.ca/hs/ep/pps/high-school-transcripts.html
- ↑ http://alis.alberta.ca/hs/ep/pps/high-school-transcripts.html
- ↑ http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/students/faq-students.html#schools10
About This Article
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!
