Apostille/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. 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 are available online.

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 co untries require the diploma versus a transcript, so it is important to find out which is requred. Additionally, please be sure to obtain the required documentation prior to leaving 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 the 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 be mailed to the address provided in the request. To request a transcript for an Apostille or Great Seal, please attach a notarized transcript request form (PDF) to your official transcript request.
  

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 the web site and follow the instructions provided.

Please make money orders or corporate checks payable to the University of Georgia. Cash or personal checks are not accepted for payment. Money orders older than six months will be returned to sender and the request will not be processed.

 

Please mail requests and payment for transcripts ($8.00 each transcript) to:

Office of the Registrar
Holmes-Hunter Academic Bldg.
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602-6113