CLOSED AND MERGED COLLEGES
Apostilles for Records from Closed Massachusetts Colleges
Graduated from a Massachusetts college that has since closed or merged? Your records still exist. We help you find the current record holder, obtain a notarized diploma, transcript or verification and add the apostille for use abroad. We come to you anywhere in Greater Boston, or you can mail us your documents from anywhere in the world.
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CLOSED COLLEGE RECORDS
We find your records
Then notarize and apostille them
- Record holder located
- Notarized record coordinated
- Apostille in 1–2 business days once notarized
- Translation and legalization available
Where do your records go when a college closes?
How academic records get notarized for an apostille
Massachusetts will apostille an academic record notarized with any of its four notarial acts: acknowledgment, jurat (affidavit), signature witnessing or copy certification. Which one you need is usually set by whoever receives your documents, so we confirm their requirements before we start.
School official acknowledgment
A school official signs your diploma, transcript or verification letter before the notary, and the notarial certificate names the official, their title and the school. Ministries of education and universities abroad often require this.
School official affidavit
The registrar signs a separate sworn statement confirming your graduation and that the attached records match the school's files, and the notary notarizes it. Spain's Ministry of Education, for example, accepts only this or an acknowledgment. See our Spain guide.
Certified copy, only if your recipient accepts it
As the owner of your diploma, you present the original in person, and we notarize a certified copy and obtain the apostille in 1–2 business days. Many recipients do not accept a copy certification, so please obtain written confirmation from yours first.
Prepared right the first time
We coordinate with the registrar, prepare the notarial certificate with the details your recipient requires, and file with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. For the school-certified routes, you don't need to come to Boston.
For a closed college, the official who certifies your record works for whichever school or agency now holds the records.
What to have ready
- The college's name, and any former names
- Your name at the time you attended
- Your dates of attendance and graduation
- Which documents you need
- The destination country and recipient
- Your deadline
How we handle it
- 1
We find the record holder
Using the Department of Higher Education's list and our experience.
- 2
We request the right record
A notarized transcript, verification or diploma copy, depending on what the custodian can issue.
- 3
Apostille from the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Typically 1–2 business days once we have it.
- 4
Delivered worldwide
Tracked shipping to you or your recipient.
Ready to get started?
Tell us what you need, and we will take care of every step.
Who we help
Graduates working abroad
Older degrees needed for work permits and residency.
Teachers
Records for international schools. See Teach Abroad Packets.
Retirees moving abroad
Records sometimes requested for residency.
Families
Records for relatives' applications.
Closed and merged colleges we get asked about
Mount Ida College
Closed in 2018. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education says Mount Ida student records, including transcripts, are held by UMass Amherst.
Wheelock College
Merged into Boston University in 2018. Start with BU for Wheelock records. See Boston University.
Pine Manor College
Became part of Boston College in 2020. Start with BC. See Boston College.
Art Institute of Boston
Part of Lesley University. See Lesley.
Other closed colleges
The Department of Higher Education publishes a list of record holders for closed degree-granting colleges. We'll help you find yours.
Trade and occupational schools
Records for closed non-degree schools are handled by the state's Office of Private Occupational School Education.
Mistakes we help you avoid
- Writing to a college that no longer exists. Find the current record holder first.
- Assuming your records are gone. Degree records usually pass to another institution or the state.
- Using an old diploma alone. Many foreign offices require a recently issued, notarized record from the current custodian.
- Ignoring name changes. Records from decades ago may be under a former name.
Official sources
- Massachusetts Department of Higher Education: records from closed institutions
- Department of Higher Education: Mount Ida closure information
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostille and certification information
Record holders can change. Always confirm with the custodian listed by the Department of Higher Education.
School pages for closed and merged colleges
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
It depends on the record holder. Once we have a notarized record, the apostille is typically ready in 1–2 business days.
Can you apostille a diploma from a college that closed?
Often, yes. We work with the current record holder for a notarized record or verification, then handle the apostille.
I graduated from a closed nursing school. Can you help?
Yes. Records for some closed hospital-based nursing programs are held by state agencies. We will help you find the correct one.
Graduated from a closed college?
Tell us the school and what you need, and we will locate your records.