What Documents Do I Need for a Credential Evaluation?

Why Documents Matter

A credential evaluation is only as reliable as the documents supporting it. Evaluators use your educational records to determine the institution you attended, the credential you earned, the program you completed, and how that credential compares to the U.S. educational system.

Incomplete or insufficient documentation is one of the most common reasons evaluations are delayed. In some cases, missing records can prevent an evaluation from being completed altogether. Gathering the right documents from the start, and understanding what "official" documentation means, can help the process move forward without unnecessary setbacks.

The specific documents required will depend on your level of education, the country where you studied, and the type of evaluation being requested. The sections below outline what is typically required at each educational level, along with considerations for applicants submitting documents from outside the United States.

Documents for Secondary Education

If your evaluation covers secondary education, the equivalent of a U.S. high school, evaluators will typically need documentation showing that you completed the required coursework and received a recognized leaving credential. Commonly requested documents include the following.

The credential name and format will vary significantly by country. What matters to the evaluator is not the title on the document, but the educational level it represents within its national system, and whether the documentation provided is complete and independently verifiable.

Documents for Postsecondary Education

Postsecondary documentation covers any education completed after secondary school, including diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and professional credentials. The documents required at this level typically include both proof of the credential awarded and a record of the coursework completed.

For course-by-course evaluations, which are commonly required for university admissions, teacher certification, and professional licensure, both a transcript and degree certificate are typically needed. A degree certificate alone is generally not sufficient when a detailed analysis of coursework is required.

Additional Documents Some Applicants Need

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide documentation beyond transcripts and degree certificates. Below are the most common additional items evaluators may request.

English Translations

If your academic documents are in a language other than English, certified translations are typically required alongside the original documents. A translation alone is not sufficient, the original-language document must accompany it. See Documents Not in English below for Alianza's specific requirements.

Name Change Documentation

If the name on your academic documents differs from the name on your current identification, due to marriage, legal name change, or another reason, documentation supporting that change may be required. This can include a marriage certificate, court order, or other official record.

Professional Licenses

For specialized evaluations, such as those required for nursing, teaching, or cosmetology licensing, the receiving organization or evaluation agency may request copies of any professional licenses or registrations you currently hold, either from your home country or elsewhere.

Course Descriptions or Syllabi

In some cases, particularly for professional licensure evaluations, the evaluation agency or licensing board may request course descriptions or syllabi for specific subjects. This is most common when a licensing board needs to verify that particular subject areas were covered.

Official vs. Unofficial Documents: What Is the Difference?

One of the most common points of confusion in the document gathering process is the difference between official and unofficial documents. Submitting the wrong type of documentation is a frequent cause of delays.

The requirement for documents to be sent directly by the issuing institution applies whether you are located in the United States or abroad. The channel matters as much as the content, a document that is complete and accurate but transmitted through the wrong channel will not be accepted.

Submitting Documents from Outside the United States

If you are applying for a U.S. university program, professional license, or immigration benefit from outside the United States, you can still complete a credential evaluation, and many applicants do so before relocating. The document requirements do not change based on where you are located. What does change is how your institution transmits those documents to Alianza.

Because Alianza usually requires documents to be sent directly by the issuing institution or be electronically verifiable, and does not accept documents forwarded by the applicant, the key question for international applicants is whether your institution can send records electronically through an approved platform, transmit them from an official institutional email, or provide electronically verifiable records. Clarifying this with your institution early is one of the most useful things you can do to prepare.

Secure Electronic Delivery

Many institutions around the world now offer secure electronic delivery of transcripts and records through approved platforms, such as ETX, Digitary, TrueCopy, MyCreds, and others. Where this is available, electronic delivery is often the most reliable and efficient option for international applicants. Ask your institution which platforms they use, then confirm with Alianza that delivery through that platform is accepted.

Apostille and Notarization

Some evaluation agencies or receiving organizations may require an apostille, an internationally recognized form of authentication under the Hague Convention, on certain documents. Apostille requirements vary by country and by the type of credential being evaluated. Check with Alianza and, if relevant, with the receiving organization to determine whether apostille authentication is necessary for your specific situation.

For applicants outside the United States, the process generally follows these steps:

Documents Not in English

If your academic documents were issued in a language other than English, you must provide a complete English translation of each document you want evaluated. Native language records must be accompanied by English translations, and the original-language document must accompany the translation. A translation submitted without the original is not accepted.

It is important to understand that a translation and a credential evaluation are different services. A translation converts the language of your documents into English. An evaluation analyzes what those documents mean in the context of the U.S. educational system. Both are required when documents are not in English, but they are distinct steps in the process.

Alianza's Translation Requirements

Translations must be complete, word-for-word, and line-by-line. The full content of each document must be translated — summarized or selective translations are not accepted. Translations must be accurate and completed by one of the following:

• Your school or university (official translation)
• A translator accredited by the American Translators Association (ATA)
• A professional translation agency
• Alianza Academic Evaluations (available for a fee)

What If Your Documents Are Unavailable?

Some applicants find that their educational records are difficult or impossible to obtain. Institutions may have closed, records may have been lost due to natural disasters or conflict, or access may be limited for political or administrative reasons.

If you are in this situation, the most important step is to contact your evaluation agency as early as possible. Options and outcomes will vary depending on the circumstances, but evaluation agencies are often familiar with documentation challenges in specific countries and can advise on what alternatives may exist.

Apply First, Then Gather Documents

One of the most important things to understand about Alianza's process is the sequence: you apply first, and Alianza confirms your document requirements afterward. Do not contact your institution to request documents until you have received written instructions from Alianza confirming exactly what is needed.

This matters because final document requirements are determined after Alianza reviews your educational background. Requirements can vary based on your country of education, the institution you attended, the level of credential being evaluated, and the type of evaluation requested. Requesting documents before receiving that confirmation can result in obtaining the wrong records, or requesting them from the wrong source.

When you are ready to apply, it helps to have a general sense of:

• What type of evaluation is required, document evaluation or course-by-course
• The educational level being evaluated, secondary, postsecondary, or both
• Whether your documents are in English or will require certified translation
• Whether the receiving organization has specific requirements about evaluation providers or report types
• Accurate contact information for your institution, which Alianza may use to facilitate direct document delivery

Frequently Asked Questions