Diploma and Transcript Apostille
Foreign employers, universities, and licensing bodies often require an apostilled diploma or transcript to verify your credentials. Pennsylvania school documents are not state records, so they need an extra step before the apostille can be attached. We handle the courier work once your document is ready.
Ask your school before you visit a notary
Some Pennsylvania schools have a registrar or an on-staff notary who can certify transcript copies as part of their standard process. Checking with your school first can save you time and an extra trip. Once the notarization is done, we take it from there.
What is a diploma or transcript apostille?
Diplomas and transcripts are issued by private institutions, not the Pennsylvania state government. That means the Department of State cannot apostille them directly. The document must first be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary public before the state can authenticate it.
The most common approach is a notarized true copy. A Pennsylvania notary certifies that a photocopy of the original diploma or transcript is a true and accurate copy of the original. Alternatively, some schools have an authorized official sign the document directly, and that official's signature is then notarized. Either method works as long as a valid Pennsylvania notary block is attached.
Once the notarization is in place, we hand-deliver your document to the state office in Harrisburg and ship it back with tracking. You can mail the document to us from anywhere in the world. The only requirement is that the Pennsylvania notary step is completed before you send it.
When people need one
- Teaching English or another subject at a foreign school or language program
- Applying for a work visa or professional position overseas that requires verified credentials
- Enrolling in a graduate program or university abroad
- Obtaining a professional license in a foreign country that requires credential verification
- Meeting immigration requirements that include proof of education
- Working with a credential evaluation service for an international employer or agency
How Keystone handles it
The same simple process for every document. We handle the slow part for you.
- Step 1
Order online
Tell us what you need apostilled and check out in minutes. We email a prepaid label right away. No account needed.
- Step 2
Mail us your document
Attach the prepaid label and send it our way. You get tracking so you can follow it all the way to our door.
- Step 3
We apostille it and ship it back
We hand-carry it to the Pennsylvania Department of State in Harrisburg, get the apostille added, and ship it back, tracked.
Before you send it
We are a courier service, not a notary. Your document must already meet the state requirements before you mail it. If the state cannot accept it, we send it back so you can fix it and reorder.
- The diploma or transcript must be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary public before submission
- A notarized true copy is acceptable: the notary certifies a clear photocopy matches the original
- If a school official signs the document, their signature must also be notarized by a Pennsylvania notary
- The notary block must include the commission number, expiration date, and legible seal or stamp
- Mail us the notarized original with a prepaid return label enclosed
- The destination country must be a member of the Hague Apostille Convention
Common questions
My school is in Pennsylvania but I live abroad. How do I get a notarized true copy?
A Pennsylvania notary can certify a true copy of your original diploma or transcript. If you are not in Pennsylvania, you can contact your school directly: some registrars will notarize or certify copies on your behalf. Once you have the notarized copy, mail it to us from wherever you are.
Can I send a regular photocopy without a notarization?
No. The Pennsylvania Department of State requires that a private document like a diploma be notarized before it can receive an apostille. An unnotarized copy will be rejected.
What if I need both a diploma and a transcript apostilled?
Each document is priced and processed separately, but you can send multiple documents in one shipment. Add each document to your order at checkout and include all of them together when you mail your package.
How long does processing take?
We deliver to Harrisburg on business days. Turnaround depends on the service speed you choose at checkout: Standard is about 5 business days, Expedited is 48 to 72 hours, and Rush is same day or next business day.
Can I order if I live outside the United States?
Yes. You can place your order from anywhere. Mail your notarized document to us using any trackable shipping service, include a prepaid return label, and we will send the apostilled document to any address you provide.
Ready when you are.
Unsure whether your notarized copy will be accepted? Reach out before you mail your documents and we can help you confirm the setup looks right.