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  1. Rice
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  2. Office of the Registrar
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  3. Students
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  4. Transcript Requests

 

Transcript Requests

  • Rice University provides official hard-copy transcripts and electronic transcripts
  • Rice University charges $10 per transcript ordered.
  • Hard-copy transcript processing takes 1-2 business days during non-peak periods; however, during peak periods, an additional 1-2 days may be required to complete transcript orders.
  • Hard-copy transcripts are sent first-class mail via USPS (approximately 2-3 day delivery time for domestic destinations).
  • Electronic transcripts must be ordered through the National Student Clearinghouse and are sent via secured email as a PDF file. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or Professional and Adobe Flash must be used in opening an electronic transcript.  Note: Mac users should use Firefox to open an electronic transcript.
  • Rice transcripts do not contain social security numbers, which may make it difficult for the receiving institution to match your records.
  • If a hard-copy transcript order needs to be expedited, additional fees will apply and can be paid through OTR Fees.  Please email  transcripts@rice.edu to discuss your specific request. 
  • Per university policy, official transcripts will not be released to anyone whose financial obligations have not been met.

How to Request

Transcripts can be ordered online via ESTHER or via the National Student Clearinghouse. While both methods of online transcript ordering offer 24/7 convenience and secure transactions via major credit cards, ESTHER is the preferred method of order submission; however, electronic transcripts must be ordered through the National Student Clearinghouse.

ESTHER

ESTHER is the online self-service resource for students and alumni at Rice. Additional information on ESTHER can be located on the ESTHER FAQ page.

For access to ESTHER, we prefer for student/alum to stop by the Office of the Registrar and present photo identification and we will reset their Esther account for them on the spot.

Alternatively, from their RICE email or a RICE alumni email account, they can send a request to have their ESTHER pin reset via email or request for login credentials.

If an alum does not have a Rice alumni email established, they will need to complete the ESTHER Access Request Form and upload with the appropriate documentation through our secure submission site found at https://registrar.rice.edu/students/personal_info.  ESTHER login credentials will be sent to the email address provided on the ESTHER Access Request Form.

Placing an Order on ESTHER

To place an order in ESTHER:

  1. Login to  ESTHER
  2. Click Student Services & Account Information > Student Records & Account Information > Order an Official Transcript
  3. Carefully read and follow the step-by-step process
  4. If additional documents or attachments need to be sent with your transcript, you must email or fax them immediately after ordering your transcript.

After one business day, you may verify the status of your transcript order in ESTHER:

  1. Login to ESTHER
  2. Click Student Services & Account Information > Student Records & Account Information > View Previous Transcript Orders
  3. Select the appropriate order (by date)

National Student Clearinghouse (NSC)

To ensure confidentiality and to comply with federal regulations, a signature release form is required. The signature release form can be electronically signed and submitted to the NSC.

Placing an Order with the NSC

To place an order and obtain your release form through the NSC:

  1. Go to the National Student Clearinghouse
  2. Select Rice University from the pull-down menu
  3. Click Submit
  4. Carefully read and follow the step-by-step process

You can track your order online and you will receive email updates. If the consent form for your order is outstanding, links to both a PDF and HTML version of your form will be available online. You can electronically sign & submit, fax, email or mail the completed form to the National Student Clearinghouse. You can also obtain a copy of the consent form by clicking the link in the email updates.

You can also upload up to three (3) forms to accompany either your hard-copy or electronic transcript request as well.

Apostille Information

On occasion, students have a need to request an apostille/authentication of certain documents. Information regarding apostilles in the state of Texas can be found here.

To obtain an apostille/authentication of a transcript from Rice University:

  1. Submit a transcript request online via ESTHER or via the National Student Clearinghouse.
  2. Email registrar@rice.edu to inform transcript analyst that transcript needs be notarized for an apostille.
  3. The Office of the Registrar can mail the transcript directly to the Texas Secretary of State upon request with the following information provided by the student:
    1. 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)
    2. A stamped envelope with the mailing address of the final recipient of the transcript. 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 their transcript to the Texas Secretary of State, the Office of the Registrar will mail the notarized transcript 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.

Questions

Questions regarding transcripts should be directed to transcripts@rice.edu.

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