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Brown University Diploma and Official Transcript Guide 2026
Understanding the Brown University Diploma
Physical Diploma Features and Design
The Brown University diploma is produced entirely in Latin, with the exception of the graduate’s name. This tradition reflects the university’s deep historical roots and commitment to academic excellence. The diploma bears the Seal of the Corporation of Brown University in the lower center. It also features the signatures of the University President and the Secretary of the Corporation.
All diplomas currently measure 12.25 inches by 9.75 inches. The Brown Bookstore offers frames specifically designed for this standard size. Students should consider purchasing a frame to protect and display their credential properly.
Diploma Conferral Schedule by Degree Type
For students enrolled in The College, the diploma is only conferred once per year in May at Commencement. Undergraduate students receive one diploma whether they earn an AB, ScB, or the Five-Year combined AB-ScB degree. Brown University Diploma Transcript Processing
Terminal advanced degrees—including master’s, doctoral, and MFA degrees—are conferred three times per academic year. These conferral periods occur in October, February, and May at Commencement. Graduate students must complete the Application to Graduate and have their grades and dissertation or thesis recorded by the Graduate School before the specified deadlines.
Application to Graduate Requirements
The university can only graduate and generate diplomas for students who complete the mandatory Application to Graduate. This application is available through Banner Web, Brown’s student self-service portal. Students must log in, select the Student Records menu, and then select the Application to Graduate menu item.
The application enables students to list their name as they would like it to appear on their diploma. It also determines how they will be listed in the Commencement program. The default name format is first name, middle name, last name. Once the deadline passes, no changes can be made to the name or shipping address.
Official Transcripts at Brown University
Transcript Content and Format
Brown University is under agreement with the National Student Clearinghouse to provide a 24/7 transcript ordering service. All transcript requests must be ordered online through this secure system. For students enrolled since September 1983, the Brown transcript is a single document presenting a cumulative record of all terms of enrollment across all schools.
The transcript must bear the college seal, be recently dated, and have the appropriate signature of Robert F. Fitzgerald, University Registrar. Grades of NC never appear on official transcripts. Academic status of Suspension or Dismissal is noted permanently on a student’s transcript.
How to Request an Official Transcript
Students can order transcripts using the online request method, which ensures the quickest processing time. Currently enrolled students and former students with electronic log-in credentials can use this system. All other students can also place orders through the National Student Clearinghouse portal.
Electronic transcripts are delivered as digitally signed PDFs sent on behalf of Brown University through the National Student Clearinghouse’s secure server. Once the order is processed, two emails are sent to the recipient: one with a link to retrieve the document and one with a password to open it. Hard copy transcript orders are also available for students who require physical documents.
Important Transcript Policies
Pre-College official transcripts are produced only for credit-bearing courses at the undergraduate, graduate, medical, pre-baccalaureate, and post-baccalaureate certificate levels. Courses taken in the non-credit Pre-College program are not reflected on official transcripts. Students enrolled in non-credit Pre-College courses should contact the Pre-College Program Advising staff directly.
Students who graduated after 1983 may request an electronic transcript for more immediate service. Students who graduated in May 2012 or earlier cannot use the National Student Clearinghouse’s Student Self-Service for enrollment certification. All transcript requests must be accompanied by an authorized signature of the requestor.
Digital Credentials: CeDiploma and CeCertificate
What Is a Certified Electronic Credential?
Brown University offers Certified Electronic Diplomas and Certificates (CeDiploma/CeCertificate) through Paradigm, Inc. These digital credentials are only available for May 2015 graduates and forward. A CeCredential from Brown University is digitally signed by Paradigm, Inc. When viewed through Adobe Reader or Acrobat version 9.0 or higher, the document reveals that a Digital Signature has been applied.
The CeDiploma has legal standing, is non-repudiating, and can be validated to provide absolute confidence in the credential’s authenticity. This digital format makes the credential portable electronically and easily shareable with employers and institutions.
How to Validate a CeCredential
There are two primary ways to validate a Brown electronic credential. First, users can validate via the Brown CeCredentials Validation page. Second, they can click the link on the second page of the CeCredential and enter the necessary information where indicated.
To ensure the credential information is still valid, Brown highly recommends visiting the CeCredential Validation page to perform an additional validation. The validation process is not case-sensitive and provides instant verification of the credential’s authenticity.
Benefits of Digital Diplomas
Digital diplomas are available for download approximately two weeks after degree conferral. This provides graduates with immediate access to their official credential. Students can save the PDF on as many devices as they want and enhance their resume by adding the CeCiD and validation URL directly to it.
An Apostille may be neither required nor necessary for Brown’s CeDiploma, as it has legal standing and can be validated online. This simplifies the authentication process for international use. The digital format also eliminates the risk of physical loss or damage to the original document.
Diploma Distribution and Shipping
Shipping Timeline and Process
Both the physical hardcopy diploma and a diploma case are shipped to the address supplied by the student in the mandatory Application to Graduate. Diplomas typically start to be sent out within two business weeks of the conferral date. Depending on location, delivery could take three to four weeks to reach the destination.
The address supplied should be one where someone can physically accept the package once it arrives. The Office of the Registrar sends a final confirmation of the shipping address and name to be printed on the diploma prior to actual conferral. Once the deadline has passed, no changes can be made.
Commencement Day Procedures
For undergraduate and doctoral recipients attending the Commencement ceremony in person, they receive a blank diploma cover at their respective ceremony. The actual diploma is mailed to the shipping address provided on the Application after Commencement. Students who indicate they will not attend Commencement receive both the diploma and diploma cover in the mail.
During the Master’s ceremony, all attendees’ names are announced as they cross the stage. They receive a symbolic diploma case used for the professional photograph station on site. The case is immediately returned to the stage by commencement staff. All official diplomas and covers for Master’s degrees are mailed to the shipping address provided.
Midyear and Off-Cycle Conferrals
For October and February conferrals, the notation of degree awarded is made on the transcript within two business days of the conferral date. The digital diploma becomes available for download approximately two weeks after degree conferral. This ensures graduates receive official documentation of their achievement promptly.
The 2026 Midyear Completion Celebration will take place at 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Students completing their degrees at midyear should plan accordingly to receive their credentials.
Replacement Diplomas and Name Changes
When and How to Order a Replacement
Brown University does not provide duplicate printed copies of diplomas. However, a replacement diploma may be ordered through the university’s vendor, Paradigm, in specific situations. These situations include when the original diploma has been lost or damaged and in cases where there has been a documented legal name change since the diploma was awarded.
Brown University’s policy requires that all replacement diploma requests and payment must be first submitted to Paradigm. After submitting the request online, the requestor must mail a notarization form to the Office of the Registrar after meeting with a Notary Public. The cost for ordering a replacement diploma is $100.00, paid via PayPal when the order is placed.
Replacement Diploma Format and Timeline
Replacement diplomas are reissued in the format currently used by the university. This may be different from the original in both size and design. Replacement diplomas bear the signatures of the current University President and Secretary of the Corporation. They do not include a diploma cover, as covers are only provided when the original diploma is distributed in the year of graduation.
Requestors should allow a minimum of 45 days for the replacement diploma to arrive from the date the request is received. Requestors are notified via email from Paradigm when the order has been received, released, and again when the diploma has been shipped. Replacement requests will not be processed until certain outstanding financial obligations to the university are satisfied.
Legal Name Changes on Diplomas
The name on a replacement diploma will be identical to the name listed in the Official Brown University Commencement Bulletin in the year the degree was received. The only exception is in cases of legal name changes. Diploma name changes post-award are only allowed when notarized copies of documented official or legal proof are provided.
Acceptable documentation includes court orders, updated visa or passport, Social Security card, divorce decree, or marriage license. Except in cases of documented gender transition, only the replacement diploma will be reissued with the revised legal name. The academic transcript and all student records continue to use the name while last enrolled at Brown for verification purposes.
Degree Verification and Third-Party Authentication
Enrollment and Degree Verification for Students
Currently enrolled students can request an official certification of enrollment 24/7 and free of charge. This is done by logging into the National Student Clearinghouse’s Student Self-Service and selecting Brown University from the dropdown. The certificate provided can be printed or downloaded and sent to any third party.
Students requiring specific third-party forms that must be completed by the Office of the Registrar can do so by emailing registrar@brown.edu. The form and Banner ID should be included in the email request. Certifications requested in this manner are free of charge but typically require three to five business days for processing.
Third-Party Verification for Employers and Agencies
Outside agencies and third parties seeking verification of a student’s enrollment and degree must visit the National Student Clearinghouse. The Office of the Registrar will not verify this information directly over the phone or via email. This centralized system ensures consistency and security in verification processes.
Employers can validate a Brown Certified Electronic Credential through the university’s validation page. This provides instant verification without needing to contact the registrar’s office directly. The CeDiploma can be independently validated by future employers, state government licensing agencies, and any other entity that wishes to confirm a graduate’s achievement.
FERPA and Academic Record Privacy
Brown University complies with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). This federal law was enacted to protect the privacy of educational records. It also establishes the right of students to inspect and review their educational records.
Students who are seeking access to education records and do not maintain access to Banner or ASK should submit a written request. The request must specifically identify the education records for which they are seeking access. These requests should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I order my Brown University official transcript?
All transcript requests must be ordered online through the National Student Clearinghouse, which provides 24/7 ordering service. Currently enrolled students and former students with electronic login credentials can use the online request method for the quickest processing. Electronic transcripts are delivered as digitally signed PDFs.
2. When will I receive my Brown diploma after graduation?
Physical diplomas typically start to be sent out within two business weeks of the conferral date. Depending on location, delivery can take three to four weeks. A digital diploma (CeCredential) is available for download approximately two weeks after degree conferral.
3. What does the Brown University diploma look like?
The Brown diploma is produced entirely in Latin except for the graduate’s name. It bears the Seal of the Corporation of Brown University and the signatures of the University President and the Secretary of the Corporation. All diplomas currently measure 12.25 inches by 9.75 inches.
4. How can I verify my Brown University degree?
Employers and third parties can verify degrees through the National Student Clearinghouse. Brown’s Certified Electronic Credentials can be independently validated through the Brown CeCredentials Validation page. The CeDiploma has legal standing and is non-repudiating.
5. What should I do if I lose my Brown diploma?
You can order a replacement diploma through Paradigm, Brown’s vendor, for a fee of $100.00. The request must be accompanied by a notarization form mailed to the Office of the Registrar. Allow a minimum of 45 days for processing and delivery.
6. Can I change the name on my Brown diploma after graduation?
Yes, but only with documented legal proof of a name change. Acceptable documentation includes court orders, updated visa or passport, Social Security card, divorce decree, or marriage license. The replacement diploma will be reissued with the revised legal name.
7. Are Brown transcripts available in electronic format?
Yes, Brown offers secure electronic PDF transcripts through the National Student Clearinghouse. This option is available for students enrolled since 1983. Electronic transcripts provide the fastest delivery method.
8. How is academic honors noted on Brown transcripts and diplomas?
The designation “Honors” is included on the student’s transcript and diploma. No distinctions are made among quality levels of honors work. Students considering honors work should consult their departmental or independent concentration advisor.
Take the Next Step with Your Brown Credentials
Whether you are a current student preparing for graduation, an alum needing a transcript or replacement diploma, or an employer verifying a candidate’s credentials, understanding Brown University’s diploma and transcript policies is essential. The Office of the Registrar is located on the third floor of Page-Robinson Hall, 69 Brown Street. For questions about diplomas, transcripts, or degree verification, email registrar@brown.edu or visit the Registrar’s website for complete information.
Ready to order your transcript or verify a Brown credential? Visit the National Student Clearinghouse portal today or contact the Brown University Office of the Registrar to get started. Your academic achievements deserve proper documentation and recognition—take action now to secure your official Brown credentials.
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