A transcript request form is a document used by students or former students to get a copy of their academic records from educational institutions such as high schools or colleges. The transcript can be official or unofficial. Official transcripts are typically sealed in an envelope and stamped with a Registrar’s signature or college seal. Unofficial transcripts may not have an envelope, although the transcript itself should also tell you what type of transcript it is.
Businesses or educational institutions can also use these forms to confirm a student or former student’s academic records.
Transcript request forms are also known as:
- Unofficial transcript request form
- Official transcript request form
- High school transcript request
- College transcript request form
- School records request form
What Is a Transcript Request Form?
A transcript request form requests a student or former student’s academic history from an educational institution. It includes their grades, the courses they’ve taken, and whether they have graduated.
In certain situations, you may be required to prove your academic history and enrolment in a school, and you will have to request an official academic transcript. It can be necessary when you are:
- Applying to a new high school or college
- Transferring schools
- Applying to grad or professional school (i.e., law or med school)
- Applying for a job
They know whether you need an official or unofficial academic transcript is essential. Institutions and employers can accept only one type of academic transcript depending on the intended use. Official academic transcripts are in an unopened envelope, sent directly to the university or college you’re applying or transferring to, and stamped with a Registrar’s signature or college seal. However, unofficial academic transcripts are primarily for student use only. They are printed on plain paper and don’t have a Registrar’s signature or college seal, which means students can’t use them to transfer or apply to another university or college.
Most universities and colleges require you to pay a fee when submitting a transcript request form. Before submitting your paper, check with your university or college’s Registrar to know how much you should pay.
How To Write a Transcript Request
To write a transcript request letter, make sure to include the following information:
- Student’s full name
- Date of birth
- Student ID number
- Dates of attendance
- Courses taken
- GPA
- Grades
- Scholarships
- Distinctions (i.e., Dean’s List)
What To Include in a Transcript Request Form
In addition to including the information above, you should also ensure the following is in your transcript request form:
- Mention you were a student in the institution. Include your student ID number, degree or diploma taken, the dates of attendance, and the graduation date.
- Mention whether you want to request an unofficial or official transcript.
- Attach the payment or proof of charge for the transcript if needed. Check your school’s rules regarding how to pay for a transcript request.
- Please explain why you’re requesting the transcript (e.g., for a job that requires it, for a Master’s program, or transferring schools) and mention the company or institution requesting the transcript.
- Mention if the transcript request is urgent. If urgent, talk about when the institution should send out the transcript.
- Give a mailing address where the institution can send the transcript. Include contact information if needed or necessary.
Alternatively, you can use our transcript request template or our form builder, which can guide you through the process.
Sample Transcript Request Form
Here is a sample request letter for a transcript of records that you can reference.
Tips for Writing a Transcript Request
Remember to keep these tips in mind when writing your transcript request letter:
- Keep everything concise and straightforward. The body of your letter should be no more than three paragraphs.
- Contact your school before writing the letter, so you know what to include with the request letter. For instance, have a cheque with your transcript request letter if your school requires you to do so. Some schools may also require you to fill in additional forms, so ensure to include those if needed.
- If you include other documents in the letter, you should write a sentence referencing your attachments at the end of the letter.
- Write and send your transcript request letter as soon as possible to give your school time to process the request and send the transcript.
FAQs/Related questions
You can request an official or unofficial transcript from your school’s Registrar or Guidance office. If you’ve requested an unofficial transcript, the school will send the transcript directly to you. On the other hand, if you’ve asked for an official transcript, the school will send the transcript directly to your employer or school. Official transcripts are always shipped in a sealed envelope to prevent tampering; if the envelope is opened, the transcript will no longer be considered official. Some post-secondary schools may require you to pay a small fee for requesting and sending out an official transcript. These fees are usually paid and processed online through the Registrar’s Office portal. How long a transcript request takes depends on the kind of transcript you’re requesting. For example, if your employer or prospective school accepts electronic transcripts, it may take a day for your current school to process your request for an electronic transcript. If you’re requesting a hard copy transcript, it may take up to a week for your school to process your request.How do I request a transcript?
How long does it take to request a transcript?