When pursuing educational or career opportunities abroad, one of the most important steps is to have your academic credentials evaluated for equivalency. This process ensures that degrees, diplomas, and certificates earned in one country are properly understood and recognized in another. However, a common question arises during this stage: Are certified, notarized, or attested copies of academic documents accepted for credential evaluation?
Understanding what types of documents are accepted—and what “certified,” “notarized,” or “attested” actually mean—can help applicants avoid costly delays, rejections, or misunderstandings. This in-depth guide will explore what each term involves, how credential evaluation agencies typically handle such documents, and what you should do to ensure your submission meets the requirements.
Understanding the Terminology
Before diving into acceptance criteria, it’s essential to clarify what is meant by certified, notarized, and attested documents:
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Certified Copy: A certified copy is a duplicate of an original document that has been verified and endorsed as a true copy by an authorized person or institution, such as a university official or registrar.
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Notarized Document: This is a copy of a document that has been reviewed and stamped by a licensed notary public to verify its authenticity or to confirm that it was signed in their presence.
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Attested Document: Similar to certification, attestation involves the official endorsement of a document by a competent authority, which could be a government department, university, or legal office.
Though they all involve verification to some extent, they are not interchangeable and may not satisfy the specific submission standards required by credential evaluation agencies.
Do Credential Evaluation Bodies Accept These Types of Documents?
The answer is nuanced and largely depends on the evaluation agency’s specific documentation policies. While some agencies may accept these types of documents under certain conditions, many do not accept certified, notarized, or attested copies unless they are sent directly from the issuing authority or are verified through secure official channels.
1. Certified Copies – Sometimes Accepted
Some evaluation agencies may accept certified copies of academic records, especially if:
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The certification is done by the issuing institution (such as a university or college).
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The certified copy includes the official seal/stamp and signature of the registrar or equivalent authority.
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The certified copy is placed in a sealed envelope and sent directly from the institution to the agency.
In this case, the agency treats the document as “official” because it was verified and transmitted under secure, controlled conditions.
Certified copies issued by third-party notaries, agents, or consultants, however, may not meet the criteria and are usually not considered official.
2. Notarized Documents – Rarely Accepted
Notarized documents are often not sufficient for academic credential evaluation purposes. The reason is that a notary public typically verifies the identity of the person presenting the document—not the academic validity of the document itself.
Evaluation agencies are focused on ensuring that the educational content, grades, and awarding institution are genuine. A notary public is not authorized to verify academic authenticity, so agencies may reject notarized documents unless specifically stated otherwise in their policies.
Some exceptions might exist if:
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The evaluation is being done for a preliminary or informal review.
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The document is a translation and the notary is verifying the accuracy of the translation rather than the content of the original document.
3. Attested Documents – Accepted Only If Sent Directly
Attested documents are sometimes accepted only if they come directly from the attesting authority, which is usually a government office, embassy, or the university’s examination board.
For example:
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If your university attests your transcripts and sends them directly to the evaluation agency, this is typically acceptable.
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If you receive the attested documents and then send them yourself, it’s usually not accepted.
Agencies want to be certain that the attested document was not tampered with, altered, or copied after it left the attesting body. This is why the chain of custody—who handles and sends the document—is so critical.
Why Evaluation Bodies Are So Strict About Document Submission
Credential evaluation is used for immigration, professional licensing, higher education admissions, and job qualification in high-stakes environments. Mistakes or fraudulent documentation can have legal consequences and damage the credibility of the institutions involved. Therefore, evaluation agencies must:
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Ensure that the documents are unaltered.
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Confirm that the records originate from recognized educational institutions.
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Maintain consistency and transparency in handling applications.
Because of these responsibilities, agencies often have detailed protocols on what constitutes an “official” document—and that usually excludes documents merely certified, notarized, or attested by third parties.
What Are the Recommended Ways to Submit Documents?
To avoid problems, applicants should follow the official submission instructions provided by the agency, which often include:
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Sending documents directly from the issuing institution.
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Using secure electronic document transmission services, such as Digitary, TrueCopy, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse, if available.
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Postal submission of sealed, signed envelopes prepared and dispatched by the university or education board.
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Utilizing third-party academic documentation services authorized by the university, which transmit verified records directly to the agency.
Following these methods ensures the documents maintain their official status throughout the process.
What If You Already Have Notarized or Attested Documents?
If you’re holding notarized or attested documents already, here’s what you should consider:
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Check the agency’s documentation policy. Do they accept notarized documents under any circumstances? Is attestation by a particular authority acceptable?
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Contact your university’s registrar or examination office to ask if they can send the same records directly on your behalf.
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Inquire whether your institution is part of a secure digital transmission system and if your documents can be uploaded or shared digitally through it.
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Avoid sending original documents unless absolutely required, as they might not be returned.
Conclusion
While certified, notarized, or attested documents may appear to be legitimate, they are often not sufficient to meet the stringent standards of academic credential evaluation agencies—especially if submitted by the applicant. The key requirement is not just authenticity but also the method of submission and the chain of verification.
To ensure your documents are accepted:
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Confirm the latest submission requirements from the evaluation agency.
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Arrange for documents to be sent directly from your institution or through secure platforms.
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Use certification or attestation only when it’s explicitly accepted and only through recognized authorities.
