Diplomas

 

Candidates for graduation must apply to graduate using the graduation application available in Athena by the application deadline each semester. Students in graduate programs should consult the Graduate School for specific deadlines. In the graduation application, the candidate will be asked to confirm how he or she would like his or her name printed on the diploma(s) and to which address the diploma(s) should be mailed. If a student needs to officially change his or her legal name with UGA, a Name Change Form (PDF) needs to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar along with the required documentation.

It is the student’s responsibility to apply for graduation and to ensure that the correct address is on file with the Office of the Registrar. Diplomas are typically mailed approximately 6-8 weeks or so after the official graduation date.

The University of Georgia only issues one size diploma regardless of school/college, degree, or major of the student. The size is 12 inches by 15 inches, and the information printed on the diploma is summarized below:

  • Undergraduates with one major:
    • Degree, major, University honors, and graduation date will be reflected on the diploma.
  • Undergraduates with multiple majors:
    • If requirements for multiple majors attached to the same degree in a school/college are completed simultaneously, one diploma reflecting the degree, multiple majors, University honors, and graduation date will be issued.
    • If requirements for multiple majors attached to the same degree in separate schools/colleges are completed simultaneously, multiple diplomas reflecting the degree, multiple majors, University honors, and graduate date will be issued.
    • If requirements for multiple majors are completed during different semesters, a diploma for each major will be issued. The individual diplomas will reflect the degree, major, University honors, and the graduation date corresponding to the major.
  • Graduate Students:
    • Only degree and graduation date will be reflected on the diploma.
    • If requirements for multiple degrees are completed within the same term, a diploma for each degree will be issued.

Please note: Students who have an outstanding debt with the University will not receive their diplomas until the debt has been satisfied. Contacting the Office of the Registrar once this has been done will result in diplomas being mailed. Diplomas are held for one year after which a replacement diploma must be ordered.

Diploma Replacement

 

The University of Georgia issues only one diploma for each degree awarded. A replacement diploma may be requested only if the original diploma has been lost, damaged, destroyed, or if it is required for employment or educational purposes. Replacement diplomas will be issued with the current office holders’ signatures (President, Dean, Registrar, Chancellor) and will be processed within three business weeks.

Requests for a replacement diploma must be submitted online via the Replacement Diploma Ordering System. By placing a request through this ordering site, a student verifies that the original diploma has been lost, damaged, destroyed, or is required for employment or educational purposes.
 
Please note: Students who have an outstanding debt with the University will not be issued a replacement diploma until the debt is satisfied. 
 

Apostille and the Great Seal

 

Official documents issued in one country and intended to be used in another country must be authenticated in order to be recognized as valid in the foreign country. If the foreign country is a member of The Hague Convention, an Apostille is required. If the foreign country is not a member of The Hague Convention, the Great Seal is normally required.

Countries that are members of The Hague Convention can be found at this website.
 
If a student has accepted employment in a foreign country or is returning home to a foreign country, he or she may need to have an official transcript and/or diploma legalized by either an Apostille or the Great Seal. Most foreign countries require the diploma versus a transcript, so it is important to find out which is required. Additionally, be sure to obtain the required documentation prior to leaving the state of Georgia. If someone will be assisting a student with this process, the student should ensure he or she has provided the individual with a signed letter authorizing them to assist the student with this process.
 
To order a diploma for either an Apostille or a Great Seal, a student will first need to request a replacement diploma, with a request for notarization in the "Special Instructions" field. The signed, stamped, and notarized diploma will then be mailed or picked up in the Registrar's Office. A photo ID will be required for any pick-ups in the Registrar's Office.
 
To request a transcript for an Apostille or Great Seal, please submit a notarized transcript request form.
 
If a student needs an Apostille (the intended foreign country is a member of the Hague Convention), he or she will then obtain this from the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.  Please carefully review the information on their website and follow the instructions provided. 
 
If a student needs the Great Seal, he or she will then obtain this from the Elections Division of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. Please carefully review the information on this web site and follow the instructions provided.