How To Get Free GED Transcripts

In this post, we look at How To Get Free GED Transcripts.

If you completed the GED exam on a computer after January 1, 2014, just log in to the website GED.com, where you can follow the instructions in the portal My GED to get your GED transcripts.

If you took the paper-based GED exam prior to January 1, 2014, you’ll have to set up an account on the website GED.com.

After you have registered your account, go to the page ‘Transcript Archive’ (https://GED.com/transcripts/) and follow the instructions on the screen.

You’ll have to submit the state in which you passed the GED test. If you don’t remember that, you can submit your best guess.

If you still need to pass the GED or portions of the exam,  you can take our free online GED classes and determine if an online study program works for you.

If so, we recommend you sign up for the Onsego Online GED Prep, an affordable, accredited program that also offers the four GED subject tests as single-subject courses.

Keep in mind that you cannot pick up your duplicate transcript or diploma in person.

If you sat for the GED exam yourself, or if you are the parent of a test-taker, you should go to Parchment Support and follow the instructions in the ‘Test Takers’ section.

If you are not a student’s parent but, for example, an employer or school wanting to order a transcript on a test taker’s behalf or looking to receive information, you can go to the ‘Third Party Ordering’ page of the Parchment website.

Parchment can provide GED documents to test-takers and other individuals from the following states and jurisdictions:
Alabama, California, Hawaii, Florida, Kansas, Oregon, Maryland, Rhode Island, Vermont, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington DC, Washington State, Bermuda, DANTES, Employer Programs, FBOP, and International.

You have the option to have documents directly sent to various destinations such as employers, colleges, your parents, or yourself, just to mention a few.

If you want to send your transcript from Parchment to a school, please bear in mind that this can only be done electronically, not by regular mail. There are schools that don’t want to receive any paper transcripts.

Are GED Transcripts Free?

No, GED transcripts are not free. GED Testing Service has teamed up with Parchment to provide diplomas and transcripts digitally for many of the GED Testing Services jurisdictions. As said before, go to GED.com to start the order process.

A GED transcript costs $15, except for students in Kansas, where the GED transcript fee is $20. Some states and/or jurisdictions allow you only to order transcripts, while other states may allow for certificates and diplomas as well.

When you apply for an open position, the future employer will probably run an educational background check on you, and if you don’t have your GED diploma at hand, you may want to request a copy. Running a background check is also becoming a normal procedure for hiring part-timers and freelancers.

Where to Get GED Transcripts

As said before, first, you’ll have to sign in at GED.com. If you completed the computer-formatted GED test after January 1, 2014, you will be asked to log in to your account.

If you completed the paper-based GED exam prior to January 1, 2014, you’ll have to go to the ‘Transcript Request Page’ and indicate in what state you took the GED exam. Then, on the next screen, you can sign in. If you need to create an account, you’ll have to go to the page ‘Register for an Account.

Then, you’ll have to select what document(s) you wish to order. If you wish to order multiple documents, you can select more documents before submitting your order.

Then, you’ll be asked to enter the name of your transcript’s destination. You have several search options (institution name, city, state, acronym, email address, and so on). If you want the transcript to be sent to yourself, just click on ‘Send to Yourself.’

If your search will come up with your desired destination, just click ‘Select.’ When your desired destination doesn’t show up, select ‘Not Finding your Destination?’ next to the ‘Send to Yourself’ button, after which you can continue the process.

When the Parchment system has found your records, the requested document(s) usually are sent within 24 hours. If the Parchment system is not able to find your documents, or if the system finds multiple records, a Parchment support member will try to find your record(s) manually, and you will be notified by email.

Yes, employers can quite easily check your GED diploma. Employers have several ways to check the legitimacy of a GED diploma. An employer may ask you to produce a copy of your official transcripts. When you’ve lost your transcript, please contact your state’s agency that’s responsible for GED testing or Parchment.

Employers who question the validity of transcripts can easily contact testing authorities, and quite a few companies subscribe to services for performing background checks on applicants, including diploma verification.

Employers can also request ‘Third Party Transcripts’ at Parchment.

If You Don’t Remember Where You Took the Exam

If you don’t remember when or where you took the GED exam, you can still place your order while guessing as well as you can. The Parchment system can use things like your name, social security number, or date of birth to find your records. This may take somewhat longer, but you’ll be informed if the system is not able to find your record(s).

If You Took the GED Exam in the Military or a Federal Prison

When you took the GED exam while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, select the ‘Military’ option when requesting a transcript. When you took the GED exam in a Federal Prison (FBOP), select the ‘FBOP’ option when requesting a transcript. Having your transcript ready can be needed when you apply for a new job or want to attend credit-bearing academic college courses.

How to Get a Copy of Your GED

Copies of a GED diploma can be requested on the “Life After GED” page on the GED website.

HiSET results can be requested on the “Test-Takers After the HiSET” page on the HiSET website.

After successfully completing the four GED subtests, you have earned the GED diploma. The electronic diploma and transcript will be sent by email at no cost (including download links) to the email address that’s associated with your account at GED.com/My GED.

Please keep in mind that these downloadable links are available for a limited time only. So please make sure you download these electronic documents immediately and save them.

The digital version (PDF) of your Diploma is provided by Parchment, a secure, electronic transcript fulfillment for high schools nationwide.

Parchment/GED Testing Service verifies the GED PDF documents each time they are opened, and they use Blue Ribbon Security technology.

The PDF documents include the blue ribbon symbol, which assures that the certificate is valid, the digital credential is valid, and that the content of the credential wasn’t altered.

This digital version of the GED diploma is essential because you can forward it electronically to colleges and employers that are accepting electronic credentials. The initial GED certificate is issued for free after completing the GED test.

However, as said earlier, for each repeat or historical request, the individual or organization that makes the request (e.g., past student, employer, school, employment verification firm) pays in most states a $15 fee (in Kansas, even $20).

Printed GED Diploma

You needed to sit for the four GED modules (subject tests) in person at a state-designated test center. Online GED testing was until recently, not offered. Now, GED Testing Service is offering online GED testing as well. When you pass the GED exam, you can order your printed GED diploma for free in your account at GED.com/My GED.

Just log in to your account, select ‘My Scores,’ and then ‘Order Duplicates.’ You should choose the ‘Diploma’ option, after which you select the option ‘Printed Diploma – Free.’

You’ll have to indicate to whom and to which address your GED diploma should be sent.

Bear in mind that this free diploma link is only available until it is used and that it can be used one time only! So be very careful and follow the provided instructions cautiously while ordering your free diploma!

Ordering Duplicates of Your GED Diploma

You can choose between printed or electronic copies of your credentials, so please check with employers and/or schools about what type of credentials they will accept before you place your order.

In many states, the Department of Education is holding the official records for the High School Equivalency Diploma Program.

GED Testing Service issues the GED exam, and Parchment provides the GED diploma and transcripts in cooperation with the GED Testing Service on behalf of the Departments of Education in many states.

For a full list of states and jurisdictions for which Parchment/GED Testing Service provides GED documents and copies, check out the bottom of this page.

There, you can see if Parchment/GED Testing Service is providing these services in your state. If not, contact your state’s Department of Education or the department responsible for issuing the High School Equivalency credential.

New York

GED & TASC Documentation

Can I Request a Copy on Behalf of a Test-Taker?

If you want to request a GED credential verification or place an order on behalf of a GED test-taker (a so-called ‘Third Party Request’), bear in mind that that can only be provided if you order it at Parchment/GED Testing Service if your state cooperates with Parchment.

You’ll have to set up a Parchment account, and for more information on how to use your Parchment account for verification purposes, check out the Parchment/GED Testing Service website.

If your state doesn’t work with Parchment/GED Testing Service,  contact your state’s department responsible for issuing GED credentials.

Parchment/GED Testing Service provides GED diplomas, transcripts, and copies of these documents from these states and jurisdictions:

• Washington DC
• Washington State
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Rhode Island
• Oregon
• Maryland
• Kansas
• Hawaii
• Florida
• California
• Alabama
• International
• Employer Programs
• DANTES
• Bermuda

So now you know How To Get Free GED Transcripts.

Last Updated on November 18, 2024.