How To Get A Lost High School Diploma 

Have you lost your high school diploma lately? Or have you moved recently and
misplaced your high school diploma? With almost 4 million students graduating
high school this year, it’s easy to misplace this important document every now
and then.  

You’ve nailed your job interview but there is a small issue. Your would-be employer has requested that you submit a copy of your high school diploma to them but you lost that thing years ago, and you don’t know how to get a new copy of your high school diploma. 

Luckily for you, it’s not hard to get a new one depending on how recently you lost it and need it replaced. Almost 30 million diplomas were handed out in the last ten years. That’s a lot of paper floating around that can be destroyed, lost, stolen, or misplaced. 

But there is no need to worry. If you can’t find your original diploma, you
can easily get a replacement! In this article, we will show you how to get a copy of your lost high school diploma documents.  

Table of contents

What to do if you misplace your high school diploma

Many students will realize after graduation that their diploma is required for particular circumstances.

For example, a copy of your high school diploma may be required by your employer, or you may need it to enroll in college.

There’s no need to fear if you’ve misplaced your diploma. Replacing lost high school records, including transcripts and diplomas is simple. Note that it is simple to substitute it but not advisable. 

The first reasonable step is obtaining a copy from the high school where you graduated. Your former school will first request a copy of your academic transcripts. These documents will help them determine whether or not you attended their school and establish your identification. Your transcripts are very important. 

Transcripts are easy to obtain and can help you receive your degrees faster. To receive a copy of your high school diploma, you may only need to fill out a request letter. Your entire name, as well as any maiden names you used in school, the year you graduated, your date of birth, address and phone number, and your signature will all be required on this letter. Be aware that obtaining a replica of your high school diploma may demand payment of a cost, so be prepared. 

Unfortunately, getting a replica of your diploma may be difficult, especially if it has been a long time since you graduated. Some schools only preserve records for a specific amount of time, such as seven years, therefore your diploma may not be on file. Some high schools will refuse to assist you in obtaining your diploma or transcripts, which can be quite irritating. 

If you are unable to obtain a copy of your diploma from your school, you can obtain one online. This can be accomplished by acquiring a phony diploma, which is perfectly legal as long as you graduated from high school.

Many individuals are unaware of this service’s existence, but it is readily available and frequently used. A false diploma will have the same language, writing, signatures, and even realistic-looking seals like the one you received at graduation. 

Simply Google “fake high school diplomas” and you’ll find a plethora of providers that can be of great assistance. You may instantly send in and receive a copy of your diploma by
filling out an online form.

Most businesses will require evidence of identity, so you’ll almost certainly be requested to fax or mail a copy of your identification, such as a driver’s license. There will be a charge for the service, which is usually very low. It’s possible that you’ll have to wait up to 8 weeks for your copy, so give yourself lots of time. 

Read Also: All You Need To Know About Online High School Diplomas

The Importance of a High School Diploma

There are a variety of reasons why a high school graduate might require a copy of their diploma: 

  • You want to apply to college, despite the fact that most colleges require your high school transcripts. 
  • You’d like to enroll in a vocational program. 
  • You wish to study in a different country. 
  • You want to get into the workforce, but your prospective employer wants proof of high school graduation. 
  • You’ve misplaced a copy of your high school diploma and would like a replacement. 

Is Getting a Replacement Copy of Your High School Diploma Expensive?

You will receive your high school diploma after graduating from high school. Of course, there is no charge for receiving this genuine copy of your diploma. The majority of people take their diploma home with them, frame it, and display it on their wall as a reminder of their achievements. If your company or a prospective college requires a copy, you won’t be able to use it. 

As a result, you will almost certainly have to pay a small price if and when you require further copies. The fee varies from one high school to the next, although it often ranges from $10 to $25. Some institutions are incredibly charitable and will not charge, at least not at first. It’s possible that you’ll have to ship the appropriate paperwork, which will cost you more money in postage. 

Some businesses and institutions may prefer it if your high school sends a copy of your high school diploma directly to the area where you need it. It’s critical to speak with whoever is requesting a copy of your high school diploma to learn why they want one and how they want to obtain it. 

Read Also: Top 40 Accredited Online High School Diploma |2024

How to Recover a Misplaced High School Diploma

Okay, depending on your circumstances, it may be a little trickier. Check out this step-by-step approach to figure out how to get through these minor snags. If you follow these steps, you’ll have a fresh diploma copy in your hands in a matter of weeks, if not days. 

1. CONNECTING WITH OLD HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS

Contacting your previous high school is the simplest way to obtain a copy of your diploma. They should be able to send you a copy or lead you on the right path if they can’t. 

Visit Their Webpage 

Check the webpage of your high school before making any calls. You might be able to acquire a copy of your diploma using a request forms page. Don’t worry if their website doesn’t offer this feature. There is one feature that virtually every high school website has. Their contact information is listed below. 

  Contact them by phone or email. 

Speak with someone at your high school about ordering a fresh copy of your diploma by calling or emailing them. Some schools provide replacement diplomas, while others do not. If yours can’t help you, they’ll at least be able to refer you to someone who can. 

Request a Copy 

Most of the time, you’ll be requested to fill out request forms and mail or email them in. Basic information such as your name, graduation date, and address will be requested. You’ll be moved on to the next step in the process once you sign on the dotted line. 

Payment of the Processing Fee 

Nine times out of ten, you’ll be requested to pay a processing fee to complete the transaction. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt your bank account too much. It normally costs no more than $15 or such. You may relax and wait for your diploma to arrive in the mail after you’ve paid your money. 

2. DIRECTLY VISITING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

You definitely can’t call your high school to obtain a fresh diploma if it has closed down. In this instance, you’ll need to contact the school district where your old school was located. They will have records for all of the students who attended that district’s
schools. 

Make Contact with your school

The website for your school’s district, such as the one for your high school, may contain a request for your diploma selection. If not, you should be able to scribble down some type of contact information.

Tell the school district that you require a copy of your diploma by phone or email. They should have records for every student that attended school in your district, once again. They should have no trouble sending you a copy of your diploma. 

Completing the Forms and Making Payment 

You’ll need to fill out a request form before receiving your diploma in the mail. It’s exactly the same as the one you’d get from high school.

It necessitates that you submit the same data. After that, you’ll have to pay a 15-dollar processing fee. You can pay with a credit card online or mail it along with your forms. 

Remember that you’ll need to use a money order or cash if you choose the second option. It’s likely that the office will refuse to accept a personal cheque. 

3. WHAT IF YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NO LONGER EXISTING? 

If your school and school district are no longer operational, you must contact the state’s education department. They will have records of any high schools, including those that have been closed. 

They should be able to direct you to someone who can assist you. Your name, the town where your high school was located, the name of your high school, and the year you graduated will most likely be asked. 

Read Also: Easy Step Guide To Get A High School Diploma In Spanish In 2024 | Best Schools, Cost, Salary, Career

4. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU ATTENDED A PRIVATE SCHOOL?

We’ve talked a lot about how to acquire your diploma if you went to a public school but not a private one. You can utilize the procedure outlined above in conjunction with your state’s education department. 

You may also lookup private schools on the National Center for Education Statistics website. You’ll be asked to fill out some basic information before being provided the contact information for someone who can assist you. 

Alternative Solutions for Lost Diploma

Your school district may refuse or be unable to replace your diploma. They will instead offer you a copy of your transcripts. Seeing this is usually enough for the party requesting your diploma. 

Nonetheless, you should contact them to double-check. If it isn’t enough, they should be able to suggest alternatives. 

The Importance of Replacing a Lost High School Diploma Immediately

Let’s assume you have misplaced your high school diploma and it does not seem to bother you now. The reason may be that you do not need it immediately.

If that’s the case, one of the most important reasons you could require a high school diploma replacement as soon as it is missing is because of these crucial examples:

  • Submitting a college application 
  • Filling out applications for vocational programs 
  • Studying in a different country 
  • Getting into the workforce 
  • Having your high school diploma revoked 

On the plus side, getting a fresh copy of your high school diploma isn’t difficult. This is especially true if your high school is still operational. If that’s the case, all you have to do now is contact your old school and get a new copy! 

Getting a Diploma Replacement

Are you still looking for a way to replace your diploma? All hope is not lost. As previously said, contacting your old high school for a new copy should suffice. Following that, they will usually walk you through the steps necessary to acquire a new document. 

You may have more problems than you think getting the job done if your former high school no longer exists. In this scenario, you might want to contact: 

  • Your local school district’s administrative headquarters 
  • In your location, contact the superintendent’s office. 
  • The office of the state’s Department of Education 

Of course, you must know that your replacement diploma must be a genuine copy. This implies it must bear your institution’s seal to prove that it has not been tampered with. 

You’ll need a government-issued ID, such as your driver’s license, to do so. You’ll also need to supply a signature as well as a completed request form. That’s all there is to it. 

If it doesn’t work, you may always contact your local superintendent’s office. When all else fails, the state’s Department of Education normally keeps this type of information on file. 

Never do the following

In as much as you are a victim of unforeseen circumstances, there are principles and guidelines you can not afford to falter in the process of getting a replacement for your lost high school diploma. Here are a few points for your perusal. 

1. Do not attempt to open a sealed transcript: If your high school gives you a sealed
transcript for your records, do not open it unless you intend to send it to a school or employer. It’s no longer official once it’s been opened. 

2. Please do not submit a forged diploma: Although it may be tempting, do not purchase a counterfeit or phony high school diploma. In many circumstances, it is illegal, and you may be fired or expelled as a result. It’s simply not worth it. 

3. Please keep your replacement diploma safe: Keep a copy of your high school diploma safe after you get it. Print a few copies, make digital copies, and preserve them in several locations in case you need them again. 

Read Also: Easy Steps To Getting A Free Online High School Diploma In Texas 2024 | Best Schools

Conclusion

You can easily receive replacement diploma certificates if you can’t find your original. Note that the transcript, not the diploma, is what confirms you finished high school. You should ask if you can submit a high school transcript instead of a diploma if you don’t have one.

If you are unable to reach your high school, you may wish to consider the additional possibilities suggested below. 

  • Prepare all of the prerequisites before requesting a replacement high school diploma.  
  • If you’re having trouble obtaining a replacement high school diploma, ask again, and this time politely. 
  • Ask whether you can pay for courier service delivery if you have a tight deadline. 
  • Don’t open a sealed transcript, offer a forged diploma, lie about graduating from high school, or misplace your replacement diploma. 

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