Notarized copies of your official transcripts and/or notarized copies of your original diploma are often required by other countries to verify the authenticity of a US degree. Some institutions or employers may require only a notarized copy of the transcript or of the original diploma, but the most common request is for an Apostille, which is issued by the State of Massachusetts (not UMass Amherst). We encourage you to carefully review what is required by your overseas institution or employer.
The University Registrar’s Office can provide you with the notarized copies of your UMass Amherst transcripts and/or diplomas so that you may complete your process with either your overseas agency or the State of Massachusetts for the Apostille.
Please note the following:
- Only the UMass Amherst University Registrar’s Office can notarize your UMass Amherst official transcript and diploma.
- Apostilles can only be done in the State of Massachusetts for notarized UMass Amherst documents like official transcripts and diplomas.
- Apostilles are not issued by the University Registrar’s Office. Our office will provide you with notarized copies of your UMass Amherst documents, but then you must work with the State of Massachusetts to complete the Apostille process. Please see below for more information on the Apostille process.
Please contact @email if you have any questions.
Steps to Request a Notarized Diploma and/or Notarized Transcript
- Gather your documents. Please note that our office cannot notarize electronic copies of transcripts or diplomas. Physical copies are required to complete this process.
- Diplomas: If you need a notarized copy of your diploma, you will need to send or bring your original diploma to our office. Your original will be returned to you once the notarized documents have been created. If you no longer have your original diploma, you will need to order a replacement through our diploma vendor. Please see the Ordering a Replacement Diploma for Notarization Purposes section on the Undergraduate Replacement Diplomas page for more information.
- Transcripts: If you need a notarized copy of your official transcript, you do not need to bring one in or submit one to us. Our office can process official transcripts for you in-house as long as you complete and sign the form in Step 2 (please be sure to indicate how many official transcripts you need notarized on the form).
- Submit your Notarized Document Request Form to the University Registrar’s Office. Please note, at that link, there are different instructions for current, active students and former/inactive students. Choose the applicable option and follow the on-screen instructions.
- The notary publics will coordinate with one of the University Registrar or Deputy Registrar for their signature and will contact you if they need any additional information. IMPORTANT: Please allow two to three business days for our office to complete the notarization process. It is not an instantaneous process.
- A notary public will contact you when your documents are ready for pick-up or when your documents have been mailed out (depending on the option you selected on the submitted request form). Please note that we will return the notarized documents and original diploma (if applicable) to the student at either the street or mailing address listed on the form.
- IMPORTANT: Our office cannot send the documents to the State of Massachusetts to complete the Apostille process. The State requires payment with that process and we cannot forward funds. The student must complete this process directly with the State, and/or any applicable overseas agency or organization.
Information about the Apostille
An Apostille is a document issued only by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth that verifies the authenticity of the signature on the document; the capacity in which the person signing the document acted; and the identity of any stamp or seal affixed to the document. The Apostille is a specific form of authentication for countries that participate in the Hague Convention of 1961.
Completion of the Apostille Process
The diploma (original and notarized copy) and the transcript (official notarized transcript) are returned to the student who must then work with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office to complete the actual Apostille. A staff member in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office creates the Apostille.
Please refer to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website for more information on the Apostille process.