How to Find High School Diploma Records

Employers may need to verify that a potential employee graduated high school. High school transcripts and diplomas are not public record and are typically not given without the permission of the former student. Most high schools can verify whether the person graduated and when.

• Contact the high school's registrar office. Explain who you are and that you would like to verify a former student’s graduation date. Most schools need time to research the information. You will need to provide the individual’s full name, approximate graduation date and possibly the former student's address or birth date.


• Research the school. Some online high school programs promise students a diploma in exchange for money and a few weeks’ worth of courses. This type of diploma does not equate to a high school education. Research the school’s accreditation to ensure it is not a diploma mill where students pay for fake diplomas.


• Contact a board of education representative. If the school has closed or no longer has access to old records, the board of education may be able to assist in retrieving information about the student. Expect this process to take six to eight weeks.


• Asked for sealed official transcripts. The former high school graduate can receive a copy of their sealed official transcripts. The student can ask the school to forward the transcripts directly to his employer for verification.


• Use a background check company. Background check companies can do the legwork for you. The company will contact the school to verify graduation if the information is not readily available.