3 Ways To Request High School Transcripts - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Education and Communications

3 Easy Ways to Request High School Transcripts Download Article Learn how to get copies of your high school transcript for free Co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: June 30, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Requesting Transcripts from a Public School (US)
|
• From a Private School (US)
|
• From a School in Canada
|
• Expert Interview
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho. 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 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,223,905 times.

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.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Requesting Transcripts from a Public School (US)

Download Article

1. 1 Check your school’s website. 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. 2 Use an online transcript service. 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.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Contact your individual school. 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. 4 Contact your school district. 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.
   • 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. 5 Contact your state department of education. 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.[6]
   • 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.[7]
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Requesting Transcripts from a Private School (US)

Download Article

1. 1 Contact your individual school. 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.[8]
   • 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.[9]
2. 2 Check online transcript services. 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). [10]
   • 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. 3 Contact your state department of education. 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.[11]
   • Most states have a Private Schools Office that can handle your request.
4. 4 Contact 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, which you can find by searching your state and accreditation commission on Google.[12]
   • For example, in Texas, you would contact the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission.[13]
   • Alternatively, you can contact your state licensing agency to ask if they have your student records on file.[14]
Advertisement

Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Requesting Transcripts from a School in Canada

Download Article

1. 1 Check if your province offers online requests. 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.[15]
   • You can pay for online transcripts via credit card, and they typically cost between $10-25 per copy.[16]
2. 2 Contact the individual school. 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.[17]
   • 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. 3 Contact the school board. 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.
   • If you graduated over 5 years ago or your school is no longer in operation, the school board most likely has your records.
4. 4 Contact the private school. 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.[18]
   • 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).
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 21
• 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

• 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.[19] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• 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.[20] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toSend High School Transcripts to Colleges How toObtain a Copy of Your High School Diploma How toObtain Your GED Transcript How toGet College Transcripts Free & Easy Ways to Find Old Yearbooks How to Register & Enroll Your Child in School How to Find and Access Criminal Court Records How toChange Schools in the Middle of the School Year How toObtain CPS Records How to Find Federal or Local Criminal Records How toObtain Articles of Incorporation How to Find an Old School Teacher How toTransfer High Schools How toGet Your Original Birth Certificate Advertisement

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.cps.edu/services-and-supports/student-records-and-transcripts/
7. ↑ https://www.tn.gov/workforce/jobs-and-education/ae/aer/diplomainformation.html
8. ↑ https://extranet.education.alberta.ca/pasidevnet/Docs/Business/high_school_transcript_pdf_specification.html
9. ↑ https://www.aacs.org/assets/Legal-Reports/Withholding-Student-Records.pdf

More References (11)

10. ↑ https://www.lehman.edu/registrar/documents/ParchmentGuidetoOrdering.pdf
11. ↑ https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Transcript-Requirements-and-Guidance.pdf
12. ↑ https://esc13.net/services/charter-school-records-request
13. ↑ https://www.tepsac.org/#/home
14. ↑ https://www.nj.gov/education/adulted/verification/transcript.shtml
15. ↑ https://alis.alberta.ca/explore-education-and-training/get-high-school-transcripts/
16. ↑ https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/studrec/marks.html
17. ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/transcripts-and-certificates/transcripts
18. ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-student-transcript-manual
19. ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview
20. ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/march/how-to-get-high-school-transcripts

About This Article

Co-authored by: Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. Educational Consultant This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho. 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. This article has been viewed 1,223,905 times. 15 votes - 62% Co-authors: 28 Updated: June 30, 2025 Views: 1,223,905 Categories: Education and Communications Article SummaryX

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! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Russian Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,223,905 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Anonymous

  Jun 13, 2023

  "Love how this is easy to understand how to obtain one's High School Transcripts online. I will definitely..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. Educational Consultant 15 votes - 62% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 28 Updated: June 30, 2025 Views: 1,223,905

Anonymous

Jun 13, 2023

"Love how this is easy to understand how to obtain one's High School Transcripts online. I will definitely..." more

Anonymous

Sep 12, 2016

"Thank you so much. We didn't know what to do."

Angela Wells

Feb 8, 2017

"This site was very helpful." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

College Recommendation ToolAm I Ready for College QuizTake QuizShould I Go to College QuizTake QuizStates and Capitals QuizTake QuizShould I Text Him or Not QuizTake QuizWhat Would I Do As President QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toSend High School Transcripts to CollegesHow toObtain a Copy of Your High School DiplomaHow toObtain Your GED TranscriptHow toGet College Transcripts

Featured Articles

21 Common Hand Signs & Gestures (& What They Mean)170+ Best Useless Facts That Sound Like LiesIs He Interested In Me Quiz15 Signs Your Ex Misses You (and What to Do About It)How to Observe Hanukkah (From Candle Lighting to Latke Frying)165+ "You Are Special" Quotes For Friends, Family, Partners & More

Trending Articles

Let Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizHow Much Do I Mog QuizAm I Annoying QuizHave I Met My Soulmate Yet QuizHow Nonchalant Am I QuizHow Weird Am I Quiz

Featured Articles

115+ Brain Teasers For Adults & Kids (With Answers!)When Will I Get My First Kiss Quiz17 Believable Excuses to Miss Class At the Last MinuteHow to Speed Up Your Slow-Performing Mobile DataHow to Get a Nice BodyIce Cream Personality Test

Featured Articles

How toDress for WinterNicknames for Your Girlfriend: 125+ Funny, Sweet & Clever IdeasHow to Give Someone a Great GiftWhat Would My Life At Camp Half-Blood Be Like QuizThe Best Hairstyles for Guys with Big Foreheads22 Best Ideas for Scary (and Funny) Pranks

Watch Articles

How toWrap a Round GiftHow toSteam in an OvenHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaHow toPart Your Hair

Trending Articles

Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?How Would My Fandom See Me If I Were a Fictional Character QuizWho's My KPop Lookalike QuizAm I a Furry QuizHow toMake OutThe World's Hardest Riddles (for Kids & Adults)

Quizzes & Games

Will I Get Together With My Crush QuizTake QuizWhat Does My Crush Think of Me QuizTake QuizCollege Major QuizTake QuizWhich Ilvermorny House Do I Belong In QuizTake QuizRandom Name GeneratorGenerate NamesDo I Need Therapy QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Education and Communications

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --648