Official and Unofficial Transcripts

What is an official transcript?

An official transcript:

  • is received directly from the issuing institution
  • bears the institutional seal and
  • bears the official signature of the Registrar (or Recorder of Records)
  • is received from the applicant in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution

A true copy prepared and signed by a faculty member, city or government official or notary public is not considered official.

What is an unofficial transcript?

An unofficial transcript is a:

  • copy of an official transcript
  • transcript that has not been provided directly to Rackham by the institution’s Registrar (or Recorder of Records)
  • transcript that is not sealed in the institution’s envelope
  • transcript that is scanned and uploaded to the on line application
  • true copy prepared and signed by a faculty member, city or government official, or notary public

More to say? Give us your feedback!