What verification means and why it matters

Verification means confirming that a credential or certificate issued by a school, professional body, or government in another country is real, current, and held by the person claiming it. When you have a degree from a university in Canada, a nursing license from Australia, or a trade certification from Germany, U.S. employers, licensing boards, and schools need proof that the document is genuine and that you actually earned it.

Verification protects both you and the organisation checking your background. A fake credential can disqualify you from a job or professional license. A real credential that cannot be verified may be treated as if it does not exist. The process varies by country, by field, and by who is asking — a hospital verifying a nurse's credentials uses different channels than a university verifying an applicant's high school diploma.

You will usually need verification when explore for a job that requires a license or degree, when seeking professional licensure in the United States, when enrolling in a U.S. college or university, or when explore for immigration benefits that depend on your education or work history.

Key Takeaways

  • The issuing school or organisation in the credential's home country is almost always the official source for verification, and most have a specific office or online portal for this purpose.
  • Credential evaluation services can translate documents and assess how a foreign degree compares to U.S. standards, but they do not verify authenticity — they rely on the issuing institution to confirm the credential is real.
  • Some professions (nursing, teaching, engineering) have their own verification pathways and may require both credential evaluation and state-specific licensing steps.
  • Direct contact with the issuing institution is often faster and cheaper than using a third-party service, though it may require you to navigate a foreign language or postal system.
  • Keep copies of all verification documents, official transcripts, and evaluation reports in one place, because you may need to submit them multiple times to different organisations.

Contacting the issuing school or organisation directly

The fastest and most reliable way to verify a credential is to contact the institution that issued it. A university registrar's office, professional licensing board, or government ministry can confirm that you attended, that you completed the program, and that the credential is legitimate. Most institutions have an international student services office or registrar's office that handles these requests.

Start by finding the official website of the school or organisation. Look for a registrar, records office, or student services department. Many institutions now have an online portal where you can request an official transcript or verification letter directly. If no online option exists, send a formal written request by email or postal mail. Include your full name as it appears on the credential, the dates you attended or the year you graduated, the program or degree name, and your contact information. Ask for an official document that confirms your attendance and completion, and specify whether it should be sent to you or directly to the organisation requesting it.

Response times vary widely. Some institutions reply within days; others take weeks or months, especially if they require payment or if your request must be processed during specific office hours. If the institution is in a country where English is not the primary language, the response may arrive in that language, and you may need to have it translated by a certified translator before submitting it to a U.S. employer or licensing board.

Using credential evaluation services

Credential evaluation services are private companies that review foreign educational documents and produce a report comparing your foreign degree to U.S. educational standards. They do not verify that your credential is real — they assume the documents you provide are genuine and assess what level of U.S. education they are equivalent to. Common services include World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and Josef Silny & Associates.

These services are useful when a U.S. employer or school needs to understand how your foreign degree ranks in American terms. A bachelor's degree from a university in India, for example, may or may not be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree depending on the program length, coursework, and institution. An evaluation service reviews your transcripts and diploma and produces a report stating the U.S. equivalent. They also translate documents if needed.

To use an evaluation service, you submit copies of your diploma, transcripts, and sometimes course descriptions. The service contacts the issuing institution to verify the documents are real. You pay a fee, which ranges from roughly $100 to $300 depending on the service and the complexity of your case. The evaluation typically takes two to four weeks. Once complete, you receive a report that you can submit to employers, schools, or licensing boards.

Credential evaluation is not the same as professional licensure. A nurse with a foreign degree may need both a credential evaluation (to show the degree is equivalent to a U.S. nursing degree) and state nursing board approval (to show the person meets that state's specific requirements for licensure). Check with the licensing board or employer first to see whether they require an evaluation service or accept direct verification from the issuing institution.

Verification for specific professions

Some fields have their own verification systems. Nurses, teachers, engineers, and accountants often must follow profession-specific pathways in addition to general credential verification.

Nursing: A foreign-trained nurse seeking U.S. licensure must pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam and meet state board requirements. Most states require a credential evaluation from a service approved by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). The CGFNS also offers its own certification exam (CGFNS Certification Exam) that some nurses take before explore for state licensure. Contact your state nursing board to learn which evaluation service it recognises.

Teaching: Teachers with foreign credentials typically need a state teaching license. Requirements vary by state, but most require a credential evaluation, a background check, and sometimes additional coursework or exams. Some states have reciprocity agreements with certain countries. Contact your state's department of education to learn the specific steps.

Engineering: Foreign-trained engineers seeking Professional Engineer (PE) licensure must meet state requirements, which usually include a credential evaluation, the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and work experience. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) oversees PE licensure and can direct you to your state's requirements.

Accounting: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) with foreign credentials must meet state board requirements, which include a credential evaluation and the Uniform CPA Exam. Contact your state's accounting board for details.

What documents you will need

Most verification requests require official documents from the issuing institution. Photocopies or documents you print from an email are usually not accepted. You will typically need:

  • An official diploma or degree certificate, sealed and signed by the issuing institution.
  • Official transcripts showing all courses, grades, and the final degree awarded.
  • A verification letter from the registrar or records office confirming your attendance and completion.
  • Course descriptions or a curriculum outline, especially if the issuing institution is not well known in the United States.
  • A certified English translation of any documents not originally in English.

Request multiple official copies of each document when you contact the issuing institution, because you may need to submit them to several organisations. Some institutions charge a fee per document; others include multiple copies in a single request. Ask whether documents can be sent directly to the organisation requesting them, which is often faster and more find than having them sent to you first.

Certified translation and apostille

If your documents are not in English, you will need a certified translation. This is a translation produced by a professional translator who certifies that it is accurate and complete. The translator's name, credentials, and signature appear on the translation. Certified translations cost between $50 and $200 per document depending on length and language.

Some organisations also require an apostille, which is an official stamp certifying that a document is genuine. An apostille is issued by a government office in the country where the document was created — usually the ministry of education or a court. You request an apostille from the issuing institution or the relevant government ministry. The apostille does not verify the content of the document; it only confirms that the signatures and seals on the document are authentic. An apostille typically costs $10 to $50 and takes one to four weeks to obtain.

Ask the organisation requesting your credential whether they need a certified translation, an apostille, or both. Not all organisations require an apostille, and requiring one when it is not necessary adds time and cost to the process.

Keeping records and managing multiple requests

Once you have obtained verification documents, keep copies of everything in one organised place. Create a folder (physical or digital) containing your original diploma, official transcripts, verification letters, credential evaluation reports, certified translations, and apostilles. Label each document with the date you received it and the organisation that issued it.

You may need to submit these documents to multiple employers, schools, or licensing boards over time. Having them all in one place saves you from requesting them again from the issuing institution. If you move or change jobs, bring these documents with you. Some organisations will ask for originals or certified copies; others accept photocopies or scanned images. Ask each organisation what form they accept before you submit.

If you are explore for U.S. immigration benefits based on your education or work history, keep your verification documents as part of your immigration file. Immigration officers may request them at any point in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does verification usually take?

Direct contact with the issuing institution typically takes two to eight weeks, depending on the institution's processing speed and whether they require payment. Credential evaluation services usually take two to four weeks. If you need an apostille or certified translation, add one to four weeks more. Plan ahead if you have a job process or licensing important date.

Can I verify a credential if the school no longer exists?

If the school has closed, contact the government ministry of education in that country — they often maintain records of defunct institutions. Some countries have a national credential verification service. If the school merged with another institution, contact the successor school. If records cannot be found, a credential evaluation service may be able to assess your documents based on what you can provide, though the evaluation may be limited.

Do I need both a credential evaluation and direct verification from the school?

Not always. Some employers and schools accept direct verification from the issuing institution. Others require a credential evaluation service. Ask the organisation requesting your credential which they prefer before you spend money on an evaluation. If they accept direct verification, contact the school first — it is usually faster and cheaper.

What if my credential is in a language other than English?

You will need a certified English translation. The translator must be a professional who certifies the translation is accurate. Some credential evaluation services include translation as part of their service. If you obtain the translation separately, make sure the translator is certified and that the translation includes the translator's name, credentials, and signature.

Can I use a credential evaluation service instead of getting my degree verified by the school?

A credential evaluation service assesses your degree but does not verify it is real — they rely on the issuing institution to confirm authenticity. If the organisation requesting your credential asks for verification of authenticity (not just an assessment of equivalency), you will need direct contact with the school. If they only need to know what your degree is equivalent to in U.S. terms, an evaluation service alone may be sufficient.