We apologize for any inconvenience. Due to upgrades in the transcript order form not all answers may reflect the current order form at this time.
Q: Can a third party order my transcript?
Q: What is an "Official" Transcript?
Q: Where can I have my transcript sent?
Q: What if I need the transcript in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal?
Q: What if I need a seal and signature on the transcript?
Q: Can I get an unofficial transcript for my records?
Q: If I need my current quarter grades or degree noted on my transcript, how long will it take?
Q: How can I request a letter verifying Mode of Instruction?
Q: What kind of special handling is available?
Q: Can I pick up my transcript?
Q: Can someone else pick up my transcript for me?
Q: Where do I pick up my transcript?
Q: What if I have an attachment to be included with my transcript?
Q: What is the turnaround time when I order my transcript?
Q: Can I request express delivery?
Q: Will you let me know if there is a problem in processing my request?
Q: If I have a "hold" related to an unpaid financial obligation, can I still order a transcript for employment or military purposes?
Q: What happens if my record has a "hold" on it for reasons not related to a financial obligation?
Q: What is my "Student ID"?
Q: Where can I find my "Student ID"?
Q: What if I cannot remember or locate my "Student ID"?
Q: What if I do not have an active Ohio State username (lastname.#) and password, will I still be able to order a transcript online?
Q: Are PDF or electronic transcripts available from Ohio State?
Q: I am sending an electronic transcript and entered the recipients email incorrectly. Can this be corrected?
Q: What if a PDF transcript is not available through the college or university selected?
Q: How long does it take for my PDF transcript request to be sent?
Q: Will I be able to send an attachment with my PDF transcript?
Q: If I order a PDF version of my transcript, is this considered an official copy of my transcript?
Q: What if I want the most recent terms grades or degree listed on my transcript?
Q: If I do not have a social security number on file with the University, how do I proceed?
Q: How may I request a notarized transcript for the apostille process?
Q: Can a third party order my transcript?
A: A third party requester must have the student’s permission to order the student’s transcript. We do not accept transcript requests from third parties via the U. S. Mail. We strongly encourage the student to place an online request and have the transcript sent directly to the third party.
Q: What is an "Official" Transcript?
A: An "official" transcript is a record of your entire enrollment history at Ohio State, and would include any transfer credit accepted. Transcripts are printed on special paper and include the Registrar's signature, the date issued and the school seal. Any transcript we provide to the student will indicate "ISSUED TO STUDENT".
Q: Where can I have my transcript sent?
A: To whomever you authorize.
Q: What if I need the transcript in a sealed envelope with a signature across the seal?
A: Transcripts that are issued to the student will have “Issued to Student” printed on them. Transcripts issued to third party recipients do not have “Issued to Student” printed on them. Transcripts come in tamper proof envelopes and do not have the registrar’s signature and the university seal on them. If this is a concern, we recommend you have the transcript sent directly to the third party recipients.
If you have specific questions, contact Buckeye Link at 614-292-0300 or email buckeyelink@osu.edu.
Q: What if I need a seal and signature on the transcript?
A: Every transcript has the university seal and the Registrar's signature on it.
Q: Can I get an unofficial transcript for my records?
A: No, however, if you are a current student and have an active OSU e-mail account, you can print your advising report, free of charge, from buckeyelink.osu.edu, Enrollment and Academic History, Advising Report. An advising report is a complete record of your academic history.
If you are not a currently enrolled student, you will need to order an official transcript.
Q: If I need my current quarter grades or degree noted on my transcript, how long will it take?
A: If you check to hold your transcript until your degree is posted, it will be mailed on the Thursday following graduation.
If you check to hold your transcript until grades are posted, it will be mailed on the second Monday after graduation.
Q: How can I request a letter verifying Mode of Instruction?
A: A Mode of Instruction verification may be specifically requested by some foreign government agencies. It is a verification of the campus you attended and if your academic program and courses were taught "In Person" or through distance education.
This may be requested through the transcript ordering process by following the below:
- When submitting your request and choosing the recipient, indicate that you have an attachment to be included with the transcript.
- The attachment will be a letter from you requesting the Mode of Instruction Verification.
- When the order is complete, there will be a section named Additional Action Required.
- - Read the instructions, and click on "Click here."
- You will receive instructions for uploading the attachment letter.
- After uploading the attachment letter, you will receive a request to review it.
- Upon reviewing the letter, click "Finalize."
- A pop-up will appear. Click on the second option of "The Ohio State University must add information to my attachment."
- - This will ensure that we receive your request to provide the Mode of Instruction Verification.
- A Mode of Instruction Verification letter will be produced, which will verify the information needed and will be submitted with your official academic transcript.
Q: What kind of special handling is available?
A: Please see Summary of Transcript Services for more information.
Q: Can I pick up my transcript?
A: Yes, however, there is an additional $10.00 special processing fee (covers up to five transcripts when ordered in one transaction). When you submit your order you can request to pick it up. When you come in to pick it up you must bring a picture id. Transcripts for pick up are always addressed to and issued to student. They cannot be addressed to and issued to third parties.
Q: Can someone else pick up my transcript for me?
A: Yes, however, there is an additional $10.00 special processing fee (covers up to five transcripts when ordered in one transaction). When you submit your order you can request to pick it up and indicate who you want to pick it up. Whomever you indicate must bring a picture id when picking up your transcript.
Q: Where do I pick up my transcript?
A: Transcripts can be picked up at Buckeye Link. Visit buckeyelink.osu.edu for address and hours.
Q: What if I have an attachment to be included with my transcript?
A: You can indicate in your request that you have an attachment, which will include an additional $10.00 special processing fee per transcript.
On the "Recipients" screen, you may choose to search through "Application Services" for recipients who require an attachment as a part of their application process. Examples are: AMCAS, LSAC, PHARMCAs, etc. You will be provided with instructions on how to submit the attachment or what information to enter in the request so an attachment can be generated for you.
If your recipient is not designated within "Application Services," choose the “Search the Recipient Table” or “Enter the Recipient Manually.” After entering the recipient information, click “Yes” that you are providing an attachment. At the end of the order, you will be provided with instructions for uploading or submitting the attachment.
Q: What is the turnaround time when I order my transcript?
A: We estimate that your transcript will be mailed within 3 business days after it has been authorized for a Standard Request and 1 business day after automatic authorization for Rush Processing. Please note that the U. S. Postal Service currently estimates an additional 2-4 business days for delivery. Electronic transcripts will be sent once the order has been authorized within 24 hours for a Standard Request and within the hour of automatic authorization for Rush Processing. Please see Summary of Transcript Services for additional information
Q: Can I request express delivery?
A: Yes. If you enter a recipient address that FedEx delivers to, the system will offer it as a delivery option and the turnaround time.
Q: Will you let me know if there is a problem in processing my request?
A: Yes. After you submit your identifying information, you will be notified that we are unable to match your information with an Ohio State student record. You can correct any errors, chose “Place My Order Anyway”, or you can contact Buckeye Link for assistance at 614-292-0300. If you chose “Place My Order Anyway”, and there are still issues in processing your order, you will be notified of these issues through the email address you provided or via a text message to the cell phone number you provided.
A: Yes. If you have a hold but need to send an official transcript to a prospective employer as a condition of employment, please submit your request along with a letter from your prospective employer on their letterhead stating that the transcript is required for employment. If you are in the military and the transcript is required for advancement, the request must state this and be accompanied by a letter on military branch letterhead. The transcript will be released directly to your prospective employer or military branch. The transcript will not be released directly to you.
The request must be submitted by mail or email to:
Office of the University Bursar
Attn: Collections Department
281 W Lane Ave, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43210
collections@osu.edu
Once the request is processed, the Collections Department will contact you. If the request is approved, the transcript hold will be temporarily removed to allow you to order the transcript online. The address to where the transcript is to be sent must match the employer or military branch’s address on the initial required letterhead.
Q: What happens if my record has a "hold" on it for reasons not related to a financial obligation?
A: If your record has a hold not related to a financial obligation (eg, bursar, library, Campus Parc, other balances), you will be notified immediately after you submit your identifying information and provided with a phone number to contact. You will not be able to submit a transcript order until the hold has been cleared.
A: It is an 8 or 9 digit number that was assigned to take the place of the SSN in identifying student records when Ohio State changed to a new Student Information System (SIS) in June 2009. If you have ever been employed at Ohio State, it is your Employee ID
Q: Where can I find my "Student ID"?
A: If you are currently enrolled, you can look up your ID number on My Buckeye Link. Log into My Buckeye Link, then under Personal Information, click on lookup your OSU ID number.
If you are a former student who has been enrolled at some time after 1972, you can use your SSN or contact Buckeye Link at (614)292-0300 to determine your Student ID number.
If you were last enrolled before 1973 you will not have a Student ID number and must use your SSN.
Social Security numbers are kept secure and only the last four digits are viewable to staff processing transcript requests.
Q: What if I cannot remember or locate my "Student ID"?
A: If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), you may leave the Student ID field blank and enter your SSN. If you do not have a SSN or did not have your SSN on file with Ohio State, you may enter nine 9's (999999999) in the Student ID field and leave the SSN field blank.
A: Yes, you do not need an active Ohio State username or password to place your order. Choose the "Alumni and Former Students" on the Transcript Ordering page of the University Registrar's website and proceed through the online ordering process. Click here to begin your order without an Ohio State username. Q: Are PDF or electronic transcripts available from Ohio State? A: Yes. When you are on the Recipient(s) page and choose Myself or Enter Recipient Manually you will be provided with the option to select PDF or Paper. You will then be asked to verify or provide the email address. For Enter Recipient Manually, you will also need to provide the recipient’s name and address information. When you are on the Recipient(s) page and choose Search our Recipient a PDF option may be available for you to select after you have selected and verified the recipient. If you are ordering a transcript for another college or university, an electronic transcript will be available if the institution has set-up to receive electronic transcripts through the third party that processes transcripts for Ohio State, Credential Solutions. The option for the electronic transcript will show after inputting the address for the recipient. If there is no option for an electronic transcript during your order, then the option is not available. When you are in the Recipient(s) page and choose Select and Application Service it will provide you with steps to follow and inform you if the transcript will be sent electronically. A: Yes, as long as the transcript has not been viewed and it is within 30 days of the order being placed. This information may be updated through the Self-ServicePlus™ Sign-in. Q: What if a PDF transcript is not available through the college or university selected? A: If the PDF transcript option is not available through the college or university selected, they have not set-up to receive electronic transcripts through the third party that processes transcripts for Ohio State, Credentials Solutions. If the college or university would like to receive electronic transcripts from Ohio State, they will need to work with Credential Solutions directly. Q: How long does it take for my PDF transcript request to be sent? A: The transcript will be sent once the order has been successfully completed within 24 business hours. The recipient of the transcript (student or third party) will need to review the transcript within 30 days of the order completing, and after the initial review it will remain available to them for 48 hours. If additional authorization is required to process your order, the transcripts will not be sent until the authorization has been received and processed. Q: Will I be able to send an attachment with my PDF transcript? A: Yes. On the “recipients” screen, under the Application Services, you will be provided with instructions on how to submit the attachment or what information to enter in the request so an attachment can be generated for you. We will submit the attachment you upload or that we generate for you, with the transcript electronically. If your recipient is not designated within "Application Services," choose the “Search the Recipient Table” or “Enter the Recipient Manually.” After entering the recipient information, click “Yes” that you are providing an attachment. At the end of the order, you will be provided with instructions for uploading or submitting the attachment. Q: If I order a PDF version of my transcript, is this considered an official copy of my transcript? A: Yes. The PDF transcript will be considered an Official Transcript to the “Intended Recipient” for whom you request the order to be sent. The Official Transcript will be available on the service for 48 hours after it has initially been downloaded (excluding weekends and holidays). The PDF transcript is no longer official if it has been printed and will state “PRINTED COPY” on the face of the transcript. Q: What if I want the most recent terms grades or degree listed on my transcript? A: When ordering your transcript, there will be an option to hold your transcript for final grades or degree for a specific term. Transcripts will be sent after the deadlines have passed for grade submission by your instructors and commencement for the term. This option will only be available near the end of the term, approximately three weeks prior. Q: If I do not have a social security number on file with the University, how do I proceed? A: If you now have a social security number (SSN) you may enter it in the SSN field and leave the Student ID filed blank. Otherwise, you may enter nine 9's (999999999) in the Student ID field and leave the SSN field blank. You will receive an error message that your record cannot be found, select the option "Submit My Request Anyway". Q: How may I request a notarized transcript for the apostille process? A: Submit your transcript request online at registrar.osu.edu, Transcript Ordering. All notarized transcripts will be mailed. Please allow up to five (5) business days for processing and additional time for mailing.
