{"id":726,"date":"2024-07-24T10:16:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T15:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diplomaframe.com\/chc-blog\/index.php\/2007\/09\/06\/what-to-do-if-you-lost-your-college-diploma\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T11:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T16:21:57","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-lost-your-college-diploma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diplomaframe.com\/chc-blog\/what-to-do-if-you-lost-your-college-diploma\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if You Lost Your Diploma"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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You thought you knew exactly which drawer you left it in or where your parents may have stored it after graduation, but it\u2019s nowhere to be found: You lost your college diploma. It\u2019s an all-too-common occurrence. The main problem is that most graduating students don\u2019t stop to think about how much that delicate piece of paper is actually worth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, whether it\u2019s your high school diploma, master\u2019s, PhD., or undergraduate program degree, receiving a <\/span>replacement diploma<\/span> is possible. While what it typically requires may differ based on guidelines of private universities, areas of study, and the type of institution you attended, most schools offer a fairly straightforward replacement process for your <\/span>lost diploma<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Happens if You Lose Your Diploma?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Losing your diploma can have negative consequences. It can delay your job search and potentially prevent you from pursuing higher education. Many employers and academic institutions require proof of your educational qualifications. Without your diploma, you may face difficulties securing employment or admission. If you notice you\u2019ve lost your diploma, you should take steps to obtain a replacement diploma as soon as possible. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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How Much Is Your Diploma Worth?<\/strong><\/h2>

Have you considered how much you\u2019ve personally invested in your education? Not just in terms of the tens of thousands of dollars you\u2019ve paid (or that you owe in student loans) but the countless hours spent studying, the years of family sacrifice, and the blood, sweat, and tears that went into earning every grade. In the middle of all this, you\u2019ve likely had to tackle challenges like writing a college paper, each assignment demanding more time and effort. <\/span>When you consider the true cost of your education, you\u2019ll quickly realize something extraordinary about that slip of paper you received at graduation, <\/span>it\u2019s absolutely priceless<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>

This realization can make the \u201cI lost my diploma!\u201d moment that much more stressful, but also serves as a reminder to protect your degree before the possibility of it getting lost in the shuffle. Important degrees include your high school diploma, grad school degree, associate\u2019s, and bachelor\u2019s. These are all professional achieve ments that speak to your credentials and should be framed. And did you earn a doctorate? Make sure you protect and preserve as soon as you receive it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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How to Get a Copy of Your Diploma<\/strong><\/h2>\n

No matter when or how you lost your associate of arts (AA), bachelor\u2019s, graduate, doctoral, or high school diploma, you should take steps to obtain a replacement as soon as possible. After all, degree programs take years to complete for your field of study. But how do you replace a lost college diploma? Just follow these simple steps for how to get a copy of your diploma from your alma mater.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact the registrar\u2019s office at the college or university you attended<\/span><\/h3>\n

The registrar\u2019s office is responsible for maintaining student records and transcripts, keeping track of class schedules, and registering students for classes. One of their primary responsibilities is fulfilling all requests for diploma copies and replacements. To get in touch with the registrar\u2019s office at your alma mater, search for their contact information on your school\u2019s web page or call the school\u2019s main phone number to be transferred to their department. They understand that a lost diploma happens and will be able to handle sending you a replacement diploma after a few more steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

No one else can request a <\/span>replacement diploma<\/span> for you.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Since the <\/span>Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)<\/span><\/a> was passed in 1974, student records in the United States are protected and kept private. Family members or spouses are not permitted access to your student records; you are the only person who can officially request your academic information. However, if you\u2019re looking to replace the diploma of a deceased alumna or alumnus, you are able to do so if you are the next of kin or the executor of the former student\u2019s estate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the specific requirements will vary according to the university, you\u2019ll most likely need to submit a request with a photocopy of your driver\u2019s license or passport, proof of your relationship to the deceased (such as your birth certificate or mention of your name in the obituary), the student\u2019s death certificate, and a notarized copy of the Letter of Appointment of Executor or Power of Attorney.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Expect to pay a fee<\/span><\/h3>\n

Although every university offers copies and their rules may vary, you\u2019ll most likely need to pay a fee to obtain a replacement diploma. The fee for a new diploma can range anywhere from $25 to $150, depending on the school and the type of degree you\u2019re replacing. This is just another reason why it\u2019s important to try to avoid needing a diploma replacement in the first place. Only signed and dated consent forms will be processed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since most schools are FERPA compliant, a signed and dated request is required when inquiring about a replacement college or graduate school diploma. This process eliminates fraud and identity theft. You can find online applications for replacement diplomas on the registrar\u2019s office page of most school websites. This is typically a PDF that can be printed from your computer, filled out by hand, and then mailed to your alma mater\u2019s registrar. A typical request for liberal arts colleges may include:<\/span><\/p>\n