Diplomas
Congratulations on earning your degree from Stanford!
Here is some important information about your diploma – from how and when you will receive it, to what information is included on it, and more.
Your permanent record will reflect your degree conferral the day after degrees are posted. Degrees are typically posted the Thursday after Commencement Sunday. (Please see the academic calendar for specific dates.)
Diplomas are mailed following degree conferral. Diploma delivery takes between 6 to 8 weeks in the U.S., and may take longer for international shipping. To place an expedited request and to see when diplomas will be distributed, read this “How to obtain your diploma” guide.
If you require evidence of degree conferral prior to receiving your mailed diploma, please review these alternate ways to verify degree completion.
Diploma Covers
Diploma covers are distributed at Commencement ceremonies. If you are unable to attend Commencement but would like a diploma cover mailed to you, you may order one from the Diploma Request Portal. Shipping fees for domestic and international mailing will be assessed.
| Academic Information | Undergraduate Diploma | Graduate or Professional Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration (aka subplan) | If applicable and approved by your department or school | If applicable and approved by your department or school |
| Date of Degree Conferral | Yes | Yes |
| Degree | Yes | Yes |
| Departmental Honors | Yes, if applicable | N/A |
| Distinction* | Yes, if applicable | N/A |
| Interdisciplinary Honors | Yes, if applicable | N/A |
| Major(s) (academic plan) | Yes | Yes |
| Minor | No | Ph.D. only |
| Secondary Major | No | N/A |
| Signatures of the University Chair of the Board of Trustees, President and School Dean | Yes | Yes |
* Distinction: An honor awarded to the top 15 percent of graduating undergraduate students based on cumulative grade point averages calculated at the end of Winter Quarter. If you receive distinction it will be printed on your diploma in the Spring. If you conferred your degree in a previous quarter your diploma can be reprinted with the distinction notation after Spring Quarter by submitting this Help Request. Please provide your diploma mailing address and preferred email when submitting this request.
Diploma Validation
Validating Paper Diplomas - Starting in Spring 2024, SURETYLOCK will be introduced as a complimentary, added-value feature for all diplomas. SURETYLOCK is represented by a QR Code watermark, positioned on the bottom back corner of diplomas and certificates that cannot be seen on the front of the document. When scanned, this QR Code grants access to our patented system, enabling real-time authentication of the document's publishing details. Additionally, it offers a convenient option to reorder the document, when applicable. The publishing information accessible through SURETYLOCK includes:
- Date & Time of Document Creation
- Name of Recipient
- Name of Institution
- Document Type
- Proudly Printed in the USA
Certified Electronic Diploma (CeDiploma)
In addition to your traditional paper diploma, Stanford University provides a Certified Electronic Diploma (CeDiploma) to all graduates.
Currently, CeDiplomas are only available for 2015 graduates and forward.