You can order a replacement copy of your GED diploma or transcript through the GED Testing Service website (ged.com) or, depending on your state, through a third-party credentialing service like Parchment. The process starts with identifying where you earned your GED, since each state manages its own records.
Start With Your State
GED records are tied to the state where you took the test, not where you live now. To request your documents, visit ged.com/transcripts and select the state, territory, or program where you earned your credential. The site will route you to the correct ordering system for that location.
About half of all states use Parchment, a third-party platform, to handle their high school equivalency records. If your state is one of them, ged.com will redirect you to Parchment’s ordering portal, where you’ll create an account (or log in) and request your documents there. The remaining states handle transcript and diploma requests directly through their own education department or through the GED Testing Service itself.
What You Can Order
There are two main documents you might need, and they serve different purposes:
- Official transcript: A record of your test scores on each subject. This is what most employers and colleges ask for because it can be verified as authentic. Transcripts come in both digital and paper formats.
- Diploma or certificate: The actual credential showing you passed. Some states call it a diploma, others call it a certificate or high school equivalency credential. If you lost your original, you can order a replacement copy.
If an employer or school asks for “proof of your GED,” clarify whether they want the transcript, the diploma, or both. Colleges almost always want the official transcript because it includes your scores.
How to Place Your Order
Regardless of which system your state uses, the basic steps are similar. You’ll need to provide your full legal name (the name you used when you tested), your date of birth, and the approximate year you took the GED. Some states also ask for a Social Security number or a photo ID to verify your identity.
If your name has changed since you took the test, you may need to provide documentation like a marriage certificate or court order. Check your state’s specific requirements before placing the order, since some states handle name discrepancies during the ordering process and others require you to contact them separately first.
For digital transcripts, some states send the document by email shortly after you place the request. Paper copies of diplomas and transcripts typically take one to two business days to process and ship, though delivery can take up to two weeks depending on your state and the postal service. If you’re on a tight deadline for a job application or school enrollment, order the digital version when available.
Fees for Replacement Copies
Ordering a GED transcript or replacement diploma is not free in most states. Fees vary by state and by document type, with digital transcripts generally costing less than mailed paper copies. Expect to pay somewhere in the range of $10 to $25 per document, though some states charge more. Payment is typically handled online by credit or debit card during the ordering process.
If You Took the HiSET Instead
Not all high school equivalency credentials are GEDs. Several states use or have used the HiSET exam as their equivalency test. If you took the HiSET, your records won’t appear in the GED system. Instead, log into your HiSET account at hiset.org to view your scores. To get official transcripts or a digital certificate for an employer or college, you’ll need to order them through your state’s education agency. The HiSET program itself does not issue transcripts directly.
If you’re unsure which test you took, contact the adult education or GED office in the state where you tested. They can look up your records and point you to the right system.
When You Can’t Find Your Records
If you earned your GED decades ago, your records still exist, but they may require extra effort to locate. States that have switched credentialing platforms over the years sometimes need to pull older records from archived databases. In these cases, calling or emailing your state’s GED administrator directly is often faster than trying to order online. You can find contact information for your state’s GED office through the ged.com transcript page.
If you tested through a federal program, such as while incarcerated in a federal facility, your records may be managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons rather than a state agency. That program also uses Parchment for credential requests.
Sending Your Records to Someone Else
When a college or employer needs your GED transcript sent directly to them (rather than accepting a copy from you), most ordering systems let you specify a recipient during checkout. Official transcripts sent this way carry more weight because the recipient knows the document hasn’t been altered. Digital transcripts sent through Parchment or the GED Testing Service include verification features that make them tamper-evident, which is why many institutions prefer them over paper.
If you need multiple copies sent to different schools or employers, you’ll typically need to place and pay for each order separately.