Official diplomas

Science students at convocation in their robes

Quick links: Request for early diploma | Replacement diploma | Duplicate diploma | Original diploma never received

A University of Waterloo diploma is awarded at convocation to students who successfully complete their degree requirements and are approved to graduate. It includes the student's name, the name of the program, the date, the University seal and the signatures of University officials.

A diploma is a legal document and one official copy is issued. Replacement diplomas may be produced with additional documentation.

  • Request for early diploma ($80) - Early diploma requests are reserved for students with unique circumstances only. To qualify for an early diploma, you must meet specific criteria.
  • Replacement diploma ($40) - A replacement diploma can be ordered if the original diploma is lost, damaged, or a legal name is changed. The original diploma must either be returned or proof of destruction must be shown.
  • Duplicate diploma ($40) - Duplicate diplomas can be ordered once a student has received an original copy. Duplicate diplomas are identical to the original diploma except the word 'duplicate' appears at the bottom. There is no quantity limit for duplicate diploma orders.
  • Original diploma never received - what to do if your diploma was lost or stolen in the mail

Request for early diploma

Requests for early diplomas submitted within three weeks of the first convocation ceremony cannot be considered and will be cancelled.

Early diploma requests are reserved for students with unique circumstances only.

The last day to order/submit an early diploma request for October 2024 convocation is October 1.

Requirements to receive a diploma prior to convocation: 

To qualify for an early diploma, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • You have a time-sensitive application for a TN (or TN1) Visa. Upload your fully-signed US job offer that includes your start date, which can be up to 30 days after your convocation ceremony.
  • You have other immigration-related circumstances that require an early diploma. Upload proof of requirement or meet with an Immigration Consultant and upload validation of the requirement.
  • You have an educational opportunity that requires your diploma (as opposed to evidence of degree completion). Upload communication from the academic institution stating the original diploma is a requirement.
  • You have a professional opportunity that requires your diploma (as opposed to evidence of degree completion). Obtain and submit a request from your proposed employer, on their letterhead, that indicates that the diploma is necessary for your appointment. 

If you receive an early diploma, you will not receive a diploma at an in-person convocation ceremony.

Undergraduate students

The convocation checklist is a helpful tool which includes steps you must take for graduation. Apply to graduate before submitting your early diploma request. Orders can only be submitted during your final term of study and orders submitted too early may be cancelled.  

Students whose start date is before the official grade release may need to discuss a later start date with their potential employer. The grading process can take up to three weeks after the next term begins, and it is usually finished by the time official grades are released.

If you completed your degree in a prior term, your order can be processed when received.

Early diploma submissions for October 2024 will open after you have submitted your application to graduate for October 2024.

Graduate students

Requests for early diplomas can only be submitted once “Degree Awarded” appears at the top of your unofficial transcript. Orders submitted too early may be cancelled.

If the degree awarded section is not showing on your unofficial transcript, contact your department/program co-ordinator and ensure they have submitted all completion paperwork to the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs office. Once the paperwork is submitted, “Degree Awarded” will appear on your transcript within 3-5 business days.

Ordering information

Requests for Early Diplomas submitted within three weeks of the first convocation ceremony cannot be considered and will be cancelled.

If you have an urgent need to receive your original diploma prior to convocation, submit a Request for Early Diploma and upload your supporting document/proof of need.

Note: Personal information, such as salary, can be redacted from the documents for privacy reasons.

If you aren't sure if you meet the qualifications, email askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca for clarification before placing your order.

There is a $80 non-refundable fee. We accept the following methods of payments:

  • Visa, MasterCard, American Express (online)

Early diplomas can be sent by courier at no additional fee or can be made available for pick up.

 Early diploma processing time

Program Type and Scenario Approximate time it will take to process your early diploma request
Undergraduate student (completing studies in current term) Early diplomas diplomas will be processed and released after the last day of term and will be dependent on submission of all final grades and faculty approvals. This process may take up to three weeks from the start of the next term and is normally complete by the date official grades are released.*
Course-based master’s students (including Professional programs) Early diplomas diplomas will be processed and released after the last day of term and will be dependent on submission of all final grades and faculty approvals  Requests are processed within two weeks, provided that valid supporting documents are submitted, and “Degree Awarded” appears on your transcript.
Thesis students (master’s and doctoral) Requests are processed within two weeks, provided that valid supporting documents are submitted, and “Degree Awarded” appears on your transcript.
Master’s students who have a research paper in their final term but no courses Requests are processed within two weeks, provided that valid supporting documents are submitted, and “Degree Awarded” appears on your transcript.
Master’s students who have a research paper in their final term, but have not completed their courses Early diplomas will be processed and released after the last day of term and will be dependent on submission of all final grades and faculty approvals  Requests are processed within two weeks, provided that valid supporting documents are submitted, and “Degree Awarded” appears on your transcript.

*Important: Early diplomas are produced with the information that was confirmed at the time of printing. It is possible that credentials such as "with distinction" or "Dean's honours" could be confirmed after the early diploma has been printed. If you wish to have your diploma updated to include credentials that were confirmed after printing, order a Replacement Diploma. 

 Last Day of the Term

Term Last Day of Term
Fall December 31
Winter April 30
Spring August 31

Replacement diploma

Replacement diploma

A replacement diploma can be ordered if the original diploma is lost, damaged, or a legal name is changed. The original diploma must either be returned or proof of destruction must be shown.

If the original diploma is lost, complete and submit the Statutory Declaration (PDF) with your request.

Ordering information

Requests are typically processed within five business days, plus delivery. 

Fees and payment options

Each replacement diploma is $40 (includes GST). Orders submitted in error will not be refunded.We accept the following methods of payment:

  • Cash (in person)
  • Cheque payable to University of Waterloo (by mail or in person)
  • Interac Debit (in person)
  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express (in person or online)
  • WatCard (in person or by email)

Additional delivery fees

Regular Mail
$10 - Anywhere in the world
Courier (within Canada) Courier (outside Canada)
$20 - Ontario $35 - United States

Has your name changed?

If your name has changed since you attended Waterloo and you would like to have your current name appear on your diploma, you'll first need to have your name changed on your student record.

  1. Submit a completed Update Legal Name form along with supporting documentation.
  2. Once changed, then submit your Replacement Diploma Request Form. 

Commissioner for taking affidavits

To update your legal name or to declare a lost or stolen diploma, the Statutory Declaration (PDF) requires the signature and stamp of a Commissioner for taking Affidavits or a Notary. This service is available on campus if needed.

Looking for a gender-neutral degree?

Gender-neutral degree nomenclature (Baccalaureate, Magisteriate): Graduates who have previously been awarded a Waterloo degree may request that their degree be re-issued in the gender-neutral nomenclature.

The gender-neutral term (Baccalaureate, Magisteriate) will only appear on your diploma. Transcripts and any degree verification will only refer to the traditional nomenclature (Bachelor, Master). This terminology discrepancy between documents

Diploma size

Diplomas are produced in the current 15.5" X 10.5" size. Diplomas issued prior to 2011 were issued in a different size and that size cannot be replicated.

Mailing address

Diploma request forms and original diplomas can be mailed to the following address:

The Centre
Needles Hall South, First Floor
200 University Ave West
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
CANADA

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Duplicate diploma

Duplicate diploma ($40) - Duplicate diplomas can be ordered once a student has received an original copy. Duplicate diplomas are identical to the original diploma except the word 'duplicate' appears at the bottom. There is no quantity limit for duplicate diploma orders.

Original Diploma Never Received

Use the form below if your original diploma package was mailed to you within the past two years and

  • it didn't arrive or was declared lost, or
  • the courier service indicated it arrived but you didn't receive it.

In addition, if your diploma was issued at the most recent convocation ceremony, you acknowledge that:

If your diploma was issued during a previous convocation ceremony which occurred within the past two years, a Statutory Declaration (PDF) must be completed with a Notary or Commissioner for Taking Affidavits.

If your diploma was issued more than two years ago, you must order a Replacement Diploma.

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