How to Verify an International Academic Credential

Learning how to verify an international academic credential is important when a degree, diploma, certificate, or transcript earned in another country is being used for education, employment, professional purposes, immigration, credential evaluation, or other official processes.

International academic credentials can involve additional considerations because educational systems, grading structures, degree titles, credit systems, languages, and document formats vary between countries. As a result, organizations may need to verify both the authenticity of the credential and the educational information it represents.

What Is an International Academic Credential?

An international academic credential is an educational qualification or academic record earned outside the country where the credential is being presented.

Examples include:

• Associate or equivalent undergraduate qualifications
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Master’s degrees
• Doctoral degrees
• Academic diplomas
• Academic certificates
• Official academic transcripts
• Other institutional academic records

The term “international” describes the relationship between the credential’s country of origin and the country or organization where it is being used.

What Does International Credential Verification Mean?

International academic credential verification is the process of confirming that an academic qualification or academic record is genuine and corresponds to information maintained by the issuing institution or another authorized source.

Verification may confirm information such as:

• Name of the graduate
• Name of the educational institution
• Degree or qualification awarded
• Field or program of study
• Date of award
• Dates of attendance
• Courses completed
• Grades or academic results
• Other information contained in official academic records

The exact information available depends on the issuing institution, the verification method, privacy requirements, and the purpose of the request.

Why Verify an International Academic Credential?

Verification can be important when an organization needs reliable confirmation of an educational qualification earned abroad.

International academic credentials may be verified for:

• University admission
• Graduate school applications
• Employment
• Professional licensing
• Credential evaluation
• Transfer credit decisions
• Scholarship applications
• Immigration-related processes
• Government applications
• Professional or academic recognition

The exact requirement depends on the organization and the purpose for which the credential is being submitted.

How to Verify an International Academic Credential

The process varies by country and institution, but the following steps provide a useful starting point.

1. Identify the issuing institution. Determine which university, college, or educational institution awarded the credential.
2. Identify the exact credential. Determine whether the document is a degree, diploma, certificate, transcript, or another academic record.
3. Review the receiving organization’s requirements. Find out whether it requires verification, credential evaluation, authentication, translation, or another process.
4. Obtain official academic records. Request the required documents directly through the issuing institution’s official process.
5. Use an authorized verification method. This may include direct institutional verification, a secure online system, official transcript delivery, or another approved method.
6. Provide required authorization. Some institutions require student consent before releasing academic information.
7. Complete additional procedures if required. International use may require translation, authentication, apostille, legalization, or credential evaluation.
8. Keep records of the process. Retain copies of submissions, receipts, verification results, and correspondence.

What Documents May Be Required?

The documents required for international credential verification depend on the receiving organization and the educational system involved.

Possible documents include:

• Official degree certificate
• Official diploma
• Official academic transcript
• Certificate of completion
• Academic record
• Government-issued identification
• Proof of name change, when applicable
• Official translation
• Institutional verification
• Credential evaluation report

Not every situation requires all of these documents. Students should provide only the documentation specifically required by the receiving organization.

Official vs. Unofficial International Academic Records

An official academic record is issued or transmitted through an institution’s authorized process. An unofficial copy may be useful for personal review but may not satisfy formal application requirements.

Organizations may require documents to be:

• Sent directly by the institution
• Delivered through an approved electronic transcript system
• Provided in a sealed envelope
• Verified through an institutional portal
• Certified or authenticated according to specific rules

Always follow the receiving organization’s instructions instead of assuming that a scanned copy will be sufficient.

For more information, read our guide to official academic transcripts.

How Universities Verify Foreign Academic Credentials

A university or other organization receiving an international academic credential may verify the information directly with the issuing institution.

Verification may involve:

• Direct communication with the registrar or academic records office
• Official transcript submission
• Secure electronic document delivery
• Online institutional verification systems
• Official correspondence
• Authorized third-party verification services

The receiving institution may also request additional academic information if the original document does not provide enough detail for its evaluation process.

International Credential Verification vs. Credential Evaluation

One of the most important distinctions for international students is the difference between verification and evaluation.

Credential Verification	Credential Evaluation
Confirms academic information	Assesses an academic qualification
Checks information against an official source	May assess educational level or comparability
Focuses on authenticity and records	Focuses on academic interpretation or comparison
May be completed by the issuing institution	May be completed by an institution or specialized evaluation organization

A student may need one process or both depending on the requirements of the receiving organization.

Read our detailed guide to credential evaluation for more information.

Does Verification Prove That a Foreign Degree Is Equivalent?

No. Verification and equivalency are different concepts.

Verification can confirm that an institution awarded a particular credential. It does not automatically determine how that credential compares with a degree or qualification in another country’s education system.

An organization may require a separate credential evaluation to determine educational comparability.

International Degree Verification for U.S. Universities

Students applying to universities in the United States may be asked to provide academic credentials from institutions outside the United States.

Each university establishes its own admission and document requirements. Depending on the institution and program, an applicant may need:

• Official transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Official translations
• Credential evaluations
• Direct institutional verification
• Additional academic documentation

Applicants should review the requirements of the specific university and academic program rather than relying on a general assumption about international credentials.

International Academic Credential Verification for Employment

Employers may verify international education information as part of recruitment or background screening.

The process may involve confirming:

• The educational institution
• Attendance dates
• Degree or qualification earned
• Date of award
• Other education information relevant to the position

The amount of information an employer can obtain depends on the institution’s procedures, applicable privacy requirements, and the authorization provided by the applicant.

For more information, read how employers verify college degrees in the USA.

How to Verify a Foreign Degree

When an organization asks you to verify a foreign degree, begin by identifying the university that awarded the degree.

Then determine:

1. Whether the organization requires direct university verification
2. Whether an official transcript is required
3. Whether a credential evaluation is required
4. Whether a translation is required
5. Whether document authentication is required
6. Whether an apostille or legalization procedure is required
7. Whether the university must send records directly

These questions can prevent students from completing an unnecessary process or submitting documents in the wrong format.

International Transcript Verification

An academic transcript can contain detailed information about courses, grades, credit hours, academic terms, and other aspects of a student’s educational history.

When a transcript was issued outside the country where it is being used, the receiving organization may need additional confirmation or documentation.

For a detailed explanation of transcript verification, read how to verify a university transcript.

Do International Credentials Need Translation?

Sometimes. If an academic document is not written in a language accepted by the receiving organization, an official translation may be required.

The definition of an acceptable translation varies. Some organizations may require a certified translation, while others may accept a translation completed through a specified service.

Students should not translate documents themselves unless the receiving organization explicitly permits it.

Do International Degrees Need Authentication?

Not always.

Some organizations may accept direct verification from the issuing institution. Others may require formal document authentication or additional government procedures.

Whether authentication is required depends on the destination country, purpose, document type, and requirements of the receiving organization.

Read our guide on how to authenticate an academic degree for more information.

International Credential Verification and Name Changes

Name differences can create problems when an academic credential uses a previous name while current identification uses a different name.

This is particularly important when international documents use different transliterations or naming conventions.

If your name has changed, provide documentation when required and use the exact name shown on the academic records when communicating with the issuing institution.

Never alter an academic document yourself to make the name match another document.

What If the University Is Difficult to Contact?

Some institutions may have limited online services, different administrative procedures, or delays in responding to international verification requests.

If you have difficulty obtaining verification:

• Check the institution’s official website
• Identify the registrar or academic records office
• Use the institution’s published contact information
• Ask the receiving organization whether an alternative verification method is acceptable
• Keep records of your verification attempts
• Provide additional documentation if requested

Do not rely on an unofficial third party simply because it responds faster unless the receiving organization accepts that method.

What If an International University Has Closed?

If the issuing institution has closed or merged with another institution, academic records may have been transferred to another organization or authority.

The appropriate records custodian depends on the country, institution, and circumstances.

Students should first determine where official academic records are now maintained and then ask the receiving organization what alternative documentation it accepts.

International Credential Verification for Graduate School

Graduate programs may require additional review of international academic credentials because degree structures and grading systems can differ between countries.

Applicants should check whether the institution requires:

• Official transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Credential evaluations
• Official translations
• Direct institutional submission
• Additional verification

Read our guide to verifying academic credentials for graduate school.

International Credential Verification for Transfer Students

Students transferring previous international coursework into a new academic program may need both verification and academic evaluation.

The receiving institution may review previous transcripts to determine whether coursework can be accepted for transfer credit.

This process is different from simply confirming that the transcript is genuine.

Learn more about transfer credit evaluation and how prior coursework may be applied to a new program.

International Credential Verification vs. Degree Authentication

Verification	Authentication
Confirms academic information	May establish official document authenticity
Often relies on university records	May involve additional authorities
May be completed online	May require formal document procedures
Common for academic and employment checks	Often relevant to specific official or international uses

How to Verify an International Academic Credential Online

Online verification can make international credential checks more efficient when the issuing institution provides an official digital system.

A secure online verification service may use:

• Verification codes
• Document identification numbers
• Secure verification URLs
• Institution-issued credentials
• Other authentication mechanisms

Always access online verification services through official institutional channels whenever possible.

How AUNV Supports Academic Credential Verification

The American University of Higher Education provides an Online Credential Verification System (OCVS) for official credential verification.

Graduates and organizations seeking to verify an AUNV credential should follow the university’s current official verification instructions.

Students researching the institution can also review the university’s accreditation information, institutional profile, and university facts.

Common Mistakes When Verifying International Credentials

Assuming Verification Means Equivalency

A verified degree is not automatically equivalent to a particular degree in another country’s education system.

Using an Unofficial Translation

Some organizations require specific forms of translation. Follow their instructions precisely.

Ignoring Direct Submission Requirements

A receiving university may require records to come directly from the issuing institution rather than from the applicant.

Confusing Authentication With Verification

These processes can have different purposes. Determine which one the receiving organization actually requires.

Waiting Until the Deadline

International document processing can take longer than domestic document processing. Begin early.

Using Unverified Third-Party Services

Do not assume that a third-party service is acceptable simply because it offers academic verification. Confirm that the receiving organization accepts its reports or services.

International Academic Credential Verification Checklist

• ☐ Identify the issuing university
• ☐ Identify the exact academic credential
• ☐ Determine the purpose of verification
• ☐ Check the receiving organization’s current requirements
• ☐ Request official academic records
• ☐ Confirm whether direct institutional submission is required
• ☐ Check translation requirements
• ☐ Check whether credential evaluation is required
• ☐ Check whether authentication or legalization is required
• ☐ Use official verification systems when available
• ☐ Prepare name-change documentation if necessary
• ☐ Keep copies of all submissions and confirmations

Frequently Asked Questions About International Academic Credential Verification

How do I verify an international academic credential?

Start by identifying the issuing institution and checking the receiving organization’s requirements. Verification may involve official transcripts, direct institutional confirmation, an online verification system, or another authorized method.

What is international academic credential verification?

It is the process of confirming that an academic degree, diploma, certificate, transcript, or other credential corresponds to information maintained by the issuing institution or another authorized source.

Is international credential verification the same as credential evaluation?

No. Verification confirms academic information. Credential evaluation generally assesses the educational level, comparability, or characteristics of an academic qualification.

Can I verify a foreign degree online?

Some universities provide online verification systems. Availability depends on the issuing institution and its records infrastructure.

Do foreign degrees need to be evaluated in the USA?

Not in every situation. Requirements vary by university, employer, licensing organization, government authority, and purpose. Follow the requirements of the specific organization receiving the credential.

Do international academic credentials need translation?

Sometimes. If the documents are not in a language accepted by the receiving organization, an official or certified translation may be required.

Does verification prove that a foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree?

No. Verification and equivalency are separate concepts. An organization may require a credential evaluation to assess educational comparability.

Do I need to authenticate an international degree?

Not necessarily. Some organizations may accept direct institutional verification, while others may require authentication, apostille, legalization, or another formal process.

What if my foreign university is difficult to contact?

Use the institution’s official contact information, identify the appropriate records office, document your attempts, and ask the receiving organization whether an alternative verification method is acceptable.

Can international academic credentials be verified for employment?

Yes, employers may verify international education information through institutional records or authorized verification services when appropriate procedures and authorization are followed.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to verify an international academic credential requires more than checking the appearance of a foreign degree or transcript. The strongest approach is to confirm academic information through the issuing institution or an authorized verification system and then determine whether additional evaluation, translation, authentication, or legalization is required.

Because international academic requirements vary considerably, students should always follow the current instructions of the university, employer, government authority, licensing body, or other organization receiving the credential.

If you are researching academic records and credentials, explore our guides on degree credential verification, credential evaluation, university transcript verification, and academic degree authentication.