So I've Made a Transcript — Now What?
Transcript How-To, Part 3: The finishing touches to make your transcript official.
Editor’s Note: This stack is part 3 of a 4-part series about high school transcripts. You can find the rest of the series here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4
A transcript is a working document until it is finalized at graduation. At that point, nothing should be added or deleted, and it becomes part of your permanent school record. If you attend a traditional school, the school will be required by law to keep your transcript and other records on file for decades, probably as long as 70 years or more.
This is a lesson homeschoolers should take to heart. You must ensure that you keep records, including and especially the transcript, in perpetuity! This is vitally important: Your records are the only proof that your child received a high school education. You should keep both electronic and hard copies of your records, and your student should know how to access them if something should happen to you. There are situations where people need to prove their educations even decades after the fact.
So what does it take to make your working transcript official? Not that much, as it turns out. In fact, just two things are required:
The signature of the person authorized to issue the transcript (in most cases, the homeschooling parent); and
The words “Official High School Transcript.”
Yep, that’s really it! Writing “official” on the transcript and signing it makes it official.
In some instances, you may find it necessary to have your signature notarized as well. Some colleges require this, and it’s also not a bad idea to put a couple of notarized copies in your files, in case you become unable to issue and sign new ones.
Transcripts will be needed to enroll in most post-secondary education programs, including four-year colleges, trade schools, and community college. They can also be requested as part of job applications. When submitting transcripts online, a digital signature will usually suffice. I like to use a handwriting font, but that’s not required. If submitting paper copies, sign and date in ink and drop in the mail or hand-deliver.
It should go without saying, but of course your transcript also needs to include basic information about your school and student, including:
Student name, date of birth, and address. Some people choose to include the student’s social security number.
School name, administrator name, address, and contact information, including email and phone number.
The student’s graduation date. Prior to graduation, this can be the anticipated month and year.
Good templates will include places to fill in this information, but if not, you should find some way to include it.
Do you need help creating a transcript, or just another set of eyes to look it over? I’m happy to help — just reach out!
There are a few special circumstances that can complicate transcripts. We will talk about those in the next post.
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