What do you mean by "original document"?
Original academic documents are the documents given directly to the student by the institution, usually at the time study is completed or the degree is awarded. Original academic documents are usually printed on the institution’s letterhead, and have a fresh ink stamp, raised seal, and/or official signatures. Original academic documents will be returned with the completed evaluation report.
What do you mean by "documents issued in sealed envelopes"?
Official academic documents are documents issued by the institution in an envelope stamped and sealed by the institution. Because official academic documents are issued in a sealed and stamped envelope for academic purposes, they become the property of ECE and will not be returned.
When should I submit my documents and where should I send them?
You must complete and submit your application on our website prior to sending your documents. (Click here to start the application process.)
Once you have submitted the online application, you will be asked to print the Document Matching Form and follow the instructions provided.
If the documentation requirements for your country of study have 'Photocopy or Scan' for the document type, you may email that document as a PDF attachment to ecemail@ece.org.
If the documentation requirements for your country of study have 'Original' OR 'Official Document issued in a Sealed Envelope', please send them to:
ECE
101 W. Pleasant Street, Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3963
Can I submit copies before sending the required original documents to begin the educational credential evaluation process?
No, we must receive complete documentation before beginning the educational credential evaluation process. If you are required to send original documents, do not send copies of the documents as well.
Can someone review my documents before I submit my order and payment?
No, we do not review educational credential documents without an application form and complete materials, including payment, for a report order.
Will you return my original documents?
ECE will retain original documents that we receive in an institutional envelope that is sealed by the issuing body (school, university, examination board, etc.). This includes documents that are received in envelopes sent directly to ECE by the issuing institution and documents received in unopened institutional envelopes forwarded to ECE by the applicant. ECE will return original documents that were handled by the applicant and submitted to ECE without an envelope sealed by the issuing body.
What if I cannot obtain a grade report because my master’s or doctoral program did not have coursework?
Depending on your country of study, submit your original degree/diploma or an official degree confirmation issued in a sealed envelope.
Contact our Customer Service if you have any questions.
What if I cannot meet the documentation requirements?
We carefully research the specific practices in each country, and determine the documentation requirements accordingly. We understand that situations arise where obtaining certain documents might not be possible. We do our best to be flexible, but in most situations we are unable to prepare an evaluation report.
If one of the following circumstances applies to you, follow the directions listed. If your situation is not listed, or you have any questions, feel free to contact Customer Service, but we may not be able to prepare a report for you.
- My school is closed, and I cannot obtain sealed-envelope documents: Submit your original documents to us and include a written explanation of your circumstances. We will review the situation and prepare a report if possible.
- I cannot obtain a grade report because my master’s or doctoral program did not have coursework: Depending on your country of study, submit your original degree/diploma or an official degree confirmation issued in a sealed envelope.
Brand New - ECE® Scholar Profile
With so many closures all over the world, it can be difficult or impossible to obtain the documents that would satisfy ECE’s usual documentation requirements right now. The good news is that we have a solution to help you pursue your dreams in the United States – an ECE® Scholar Profile.
A Scholar Profile contains all the information that you would find in a standard ECE® report but is based on the documents that are available to you, including photocopies and scans. And, it costs less than a standard report.
A Scholar Profile will clearly state that it is based on unauthenticated documentation. IMPORTANT: You must confirm with your chosen institution that they will accept this type of report, without the official documents. If at a later date you need to have the official documents verified, ECE can upgrade the Scholar Profile to a standard report. The Scholar Profile is valid for five years.
Ready to get started? Apply Today
Do you accept electronic documents?
As more documents are made available online and shareable through secure websites, we research the services and determine if they meet our documentation requirements.
If your school uses one of the following services, you may share your documents with us through the service.
Please do NOT send us any personal login or user information.
My institution is not able to provide paper documents due to COVID-19 restrictions. Will ECE accept e-mailed documents instead?
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we may be able to accept alternatives to our standard documentation requirements. Secure electronic documents should be sent to ECEMail@ece.org directly from a verifiable email address of the institution. Please ask the institution to include your name and ECE reference number when providing us with secure electronic documents. If you have any questions please Contact Us. See also “Do you accept electronic documents?” question above.