Diplomas
Notice Regarding Sheepskin Diplomas: Please read this important notice regarding the availability of sheepskin diplomas.
Rice University covers the cost of the degree recipient's diploma upon successful completion of all requirements and the approval of the graduation list at the Faculty Senate Plenary Meeting
.
For reference purposes, a sample of the archival-quality parchment diploma is on display in the Office of the Registrar.
We urge you to inspect your diploma immediately upon receipt to confirm that all information is correct. If you discover an error on your diploma, you must return it to the Office of the Registrar within six (6) months of receipt so that a new diploma can be ordered for you at no charge. If your diploma contains an error and is returned to our office after the six (6) month period, a new diploma will be reordered for you at your expense.
Diploma Dimensions
Rice University diplomas are large in size and generally require framing by a professional framer. The dimensions are 18 inches wide by 23 inches tall.
Diploma Name
The diploma will list your name, degree, and any applicable university honors (Latin and/or Distinction in Research and Creative Works). Completed approved majors or minors are not listed. Your diploma will be printed with the name that you provide on the "Application for Degree" form. Names are printed in all capital letters.
Obtaining Your Diploma
Please see the Obtaining Your Diploma page.
Facsimile (or Miniature) Diploma
Occasionally a Rice University degree recipient may require an official document on letter-sized paper confirming their Rice degree. In these instances, the degree recipient may request a miniature Facsimile Diploma
. This document is a mirror image of the standard diploma, only smaller.
The cost of a Facsimile Diploma is $20, and orders are not processed until full payment is received. Processing time is approximately 5-7 business days; please make check, or money order, payable to Rice University and mail your order to the Office of the Registrar. Currently, we cannot accept payment by credit card.
Ordering a Replacement Diploma
If your diploma has been lost or damaged, you may request a replacement diploma via the Replacement Diploma Request
. Full payment must be received before the order will be placed.
Diplomas:
Parchment Replacement Diplomas: $50
Mailing Fees:
Domestic: $30
International: $50
Processing time is approximately six weeks; please make check or money order payable to Rice University and mail your order to the Office of the Registrar. Currently, we cannot accept payment by credit card.
On occasion, students have need to request an apostille/authentication of certain documents. Information regarding apostilles in the state of Texas can be found here. The process for obtaining an apostille/authentication of a facsimile diploma from Rice University is outlined below.
Submit a Facsimile Diploma Request
form along with the accompanying fee to the Office of the Registrar (Please note: If you need an apostille, you must indicate on the request form that the facsimile diploma needs to be notarized for an apostille)
The Office of the Registrar can forward the diploma directly to the Texas Secretary of State upon request. The following information must be provided by the student:
- The address for the final recipient of the facsimile diploma should be typed/written in on the Facsimile Diploma Request form
- Form 2101 and Form 2102: Both forms must be completed by the student. Form 2101 is a payment form if paying with a credit card. If not paying by credit card, a check for the amount of the apostille fee must be provided by the student and made payable to: Texas Secretary of State (see Texas Secretary of State website for fee amount)
- A stamped envelope with the mailing address of the final recipient of the facsimile diploma. Once the apostille is complete, the Texas Secretary of State will send the documentation to the final recipient.
If the student wants to personally forward the diploma to the Texas Secretary of State, the Office of the Registrar will mail the notarized diploma to the student’s mailing address via USPS unless the student requests FedEx service. To inquire about sending documents via FedEx, please email registrar@rice.edu.