Degree verification

Parchment e-Transcripts

We now use Parchment Ordering Services, a secure and easy way to order an official McMaster e-transcript and/or enrolment letter.

When setting up your Parchment account, make sure you have provided all the required personal identifiers (full name, date of birth, student ID and the last four digits of your social insurance number). The system will automatically pull your official transcript and send it to the email destination of your choice. The email is sent using Blue Ribbon Certification technology and is a secure way to transfer your credentials.

Please note that if you are applying for a program through OUAC, you will need to submit a transcript request via the OUAC Application Centre. PDF transcripts from Parchment are not accepted.

If you are waiting for your transcript to note your degree awarded, please check your unofficial transcript in Mosaic prior to submitting the order in Parchment.

What is the processing time for e-Transcripts?

The e-transcript will be sent out within 1-2 hours when the authentication process is completed. If the system cannot identify your student record, RO Student Services will review your order and manually pull your transcript based on the information provided. Please allow 3 business days for processing.

The Transcript with Supplement is a manual process and requires 3-5 business days for processing.

What is the difference between e-Transcript and Transcript with Supplement?

Most students and alumni will use the e-Transcript order to request their official transcript.

Students/alumni in the following programs will use the Transcript with Supplement order:

• Physician Assistant
• Medicine
• Bachelor of Technology – Software Engineering Technology
• Integrated Science

Orders from alumni outside of these four programs will be cancelled and money refunded. Please avoid the delay and select e-Transcript.

Can an attachment be included with the e-transcript?

Please upload your cover letter or attachment when requesting your e-transcript and it will be included in the email to the recipient.

What are the next steps after placing the order?

• Always make sure you have logged out of your session.
• Check the status of your order in Parchment. You will receive a message if we cannot authenticate your identity.
• If the transcript is being sent to you, check your email for your e-transcript from Parchment.

How do I request an official paper transcript?

We encourage all alumni to use Parchment e-transcripts but in some situations, a sealed official paper transcript is mandatory. Mosaic access is required. Once you have access to Mosaic, you will need to follow these steps to order.

Alumni may request a verification letter from McMaster University to verify their degree or educational information. There are two options:

Mosaic Letters via Download & Email

By accessing Mosaic, alumni can download or email a verification letter to a third party. This is the fastest way to verify your degree awarded and educational information. More information about the types of letters available and how to use Mosaic is available.

Parchment Custom Verification Letters & Forms

If a standard letter does not suffice, please submit an order in Parchment. There is a $30USD fee per order.  Please check Parchment and your email for the status of your order. If you would like your letter mailed to a third party via Canada Post, please add the mailing address to the special instructions text box or explain your request in a document and upload it to your order in Parchment.  Please allow 10-15 days for processing. 

Forms

If you need to have a form completed by the Registrar’s Office, please upload/attach the form to your Parchment order. Your form will be completed and delivered via Parchment. If you would like your form mailed to a third party via Canada Post, please add the mailing address to the special instructions text box or upload a document to your order in Parchment.  Please allow 10-15 days for processing. 

Authentication / Apostillation of Documents

Foreign Governments and organizations sometimes require documents be authenticated before they will accept them. For information about how to have Canadian documents authenticated so that they will be accepted for use abroad, please visit the Global Affairs Canada website and/or the Government of Ontario website.

Please note that as of January 11, 2024, Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Hague Apostille Convention), a multilateral treaty, the main purpose of which is to facilitate the circulation of public documents (e.g., birth certificates, corporate powers of attorney, diplomas etc.) issued by one country to be used in another country.

If you are travelling to a Hague signatory country, your authenticated documents will be issued apostilles which may not require further legalization at consulates or embassies. Please check with the relevant consulate, embassy, and end destination recipient for their document requirements.

Download and share your McMaster University e-Diploma 

Are you a McMaster graduate from Spring 2024 who wants to download their e-Diploma? Follow the steps below.

If you are a graduate prior to 2024, hold tight because we will be sending you information on how to download your e-Diplomas soon.

1. Visit diplomas.mcmaster.ca and select the “Download” button.  
2. Log in with your MacID. Having troubles with your MacID? Get help here. 
3. Select the size and format that you would like to generate.  
4. Save the pdf to your device and share the way you would any other document.

Verify a McMaster University e-Diploma 

Are looking to verify the validity of a diploma that was given to you from a McMaster graduate? Follow the steps below.

1. Visit diplomas.mcmaster.ca and select the “Verify” button. 
2. Select the way you would like to verify the e-Diploma: scan the QR code on the e-Diploma OR upload a PDF of an e-Diploma
   1. If you chose “Scan the QR code on the e-diploma”: 
      1. Give the “diplomas.mcmaster.ca” permission to access your camera 
      2. Hold the camera up to the QR code on a physical or PDF copy of the e-Diploma. 
      3. A message will appear indicating whether the e-Diploma is valid or not.
      4. If you chose “Upload the e-diploma pdf file”: 
   2. If you chose “Upload the e-diploma pdf file”: 
      1. Select the pdf file from your files. 
      2. A message will appear indicating whether the e-Diploma is valid or not.