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Diploma FAQs for Graduating Students
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Sunday, March 1, 2026
- Last day for August 2025, December 2025, and May 2026 graduates to update their diploma name for the University's Commencement program. Note: Students who opt-out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names printed in the Commencement program.
Friday, April 10, 2026:
- Last day for Vet, Dental, and PSOM (MD) students to update their diploma name using the Legal Name Change or Correction and Diploma Name Change forms located on the Update Your Student Data page is April 10th. Please note that the first and last name on your diploma must exactly match your legal name.
Friday, June 12, 2026:
- Last day to order early electronic diplomas (CeDiploma). Please note there is a cost for this service. Please refer to the “I am graduating this May and would like to order expedited processing of my CeDiploma. What do I do?” section within the Diploma Notarization and Special Cases area of the Diploma/Translation Order Request Form FAQs webpage for detailed instructions.
- Last day to purchase secure express shipping of your paper diploma. Please refer to the "Can I order express and secure shipping of my paper diploma?" section on this webpage for detailed instructions.
- Last day to change diploma mailing address via Path@Penn. When adding a Diploma Mailing Address in Path@Penn, ensure the "From Date" matches the date you submit the update. Using a past or future date may prevent the address from being saved correctly.
- Last day for students not in Vet, Dental, or PSOM (MD) programs to update diploma name using the Diploma Name Change form located on the Update Your Student Data page. Note: The first name(s) and last name(s) on your diploma(s) must match the legal first name(s) and legal last name(s) of your student records. Your diploma(s) will not be printed until the first name(s) and last name(s) match. Names will appear exactly as entered. If you would like a period (.) after your Middle Initial(s), please make sure to include it in your submission.
- Last day to provide an alternative email address via the Penn Directory. An alternative email is required to contact graduates once access to their Penn email addresses has been deactivated.
The following are frequently asked questions regarding diploma processing.
Please note:
- For holds, visit the Holds on Student Records & Accounts page.
- For questions concerning degree checkout and the degree conferral process, please contact your academic advisor(s) or program manager(s).
- For issues with Path@Penn, please contact the SRFS Student Service Center (SSC) via email at pathatpenn@pobox.upenn.edu.
- For issues with PennKey, please contact PennKey Support.
Follow the instructions outlined in the Diploma Checklist for Graduating Students.
Contact diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu with questions or concerns.
Paper and certified electronic diplomas (CeDiplomas) are issued three times each year (May, August, and December).
- The diplomas of May graduates are expected to be mailed (paper) and released (CeDiploma) in late July.
- The diplomas of August graduates are expected to be mailed (paper) and released (CeDiploma) in mid-October.
- The diplomas of December graduates are expected to be mailed (paper) and released (CeDiploma) in mid-March.
Please note:
- A paper diploma will be mailed to either your Graduation Application mailing address, your diploma mailing (DM) address as seen in Path@Penn, or your Permanent address if your record doesn’t have either of the first two addresses.
- Graduates receive an email from info@paradigm-corp.com about access to a Certified Electronic Diploma (CeDiploma).
- The University of Pennsylvania diploma has been printed in Latin since its first graduating class in 1757.
- The USPS has listed service disruptions in international locations. Please visit this site for a full list of affected countries.
Deadline for May 2026 graduates was June 12, 2026.
If you urgently require a diploma for certification or employment, you can purchase early access to your certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma). CeDiplomas are only made available after a student's degree or degrees are conferred to their academic records.
To verify whether you have submitted a graduation application and to review the details of your submission, please follow these steps:
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click the “View my student profile” link:
Click the “Active” link under the Graduation Information section:
Note: Once submitted, you cannot change or revise the application.
Diploma names are submitted for printing on diploma(s) via the Graduation Application. Once submitted, you cannot change or revise the application. To review information submitted on your Graduation Application(s):
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click the “View my student profile” link:
Click the “Active” link under the Graduation Information section:
The Graduation Application(s) you submitted will open in a new tab. Please review the information carefully.
Important:
Name Matching Requirements
- Your first and last name must match the legal first and last name recorded in Penn’s student information system. You can check the legal name listed in the student information system on your unofficial transcripts via Path@Penn.
- If the name you wish to display on your diploma differs significantly from your official student record, you must submit:
- A Legal Name Change or Correction, and
- A Diploma Name Change Request
via the Student Data Update Form.
Important Timing Note
- All required name updates must be submitted and processed before diploma printing.
- If you do not complete the necessary updates in advance:
- The name in the student information system will be printed on your diploma, or
- Your diploma may be delayed until the discrepancy is resolved
Additional Guidelines
- Commencement Program Deadline (May Graduates):
- You must submit your graduation application by March 1 to have your name included in the University Commencement program.
- FERPA Directory Restrictions:
- Students who have opted out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names published in the Commencement program.
- Titles Not Permitted:
- Titles such as Esq., Dr., etc., cannot be included on diplomas.
- Diploma Name Format:
- Diplomas are printed as:
First Name Middle Name (optional) Last Name
(Example: Benjamin Franklin)Diploma names must be provided in English. Do not include parentheses, salutations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.), academic degree abbreviations (e.g., MD, MS), or the term “N/A.”
- Diplomas are printed as:
Submit a Diploma Name Change form with the required documentation. Forward the confirmation of the request completion email to diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu. Note: Graduation Application(s) will not reflect this update.
Important:
Name Matching Requirements
- Your first and last name must match the legal first and last name recorded in Penn’s student information system. You can check the legal name listed in the student information system on your unofficial transcripts via Path@Penn.
- If the name you wish to display on your diploma differs significantly from your official student record, you must submit:
- A Legal Name Change or Correction, and
- A Diploma Name Change Request
via the Student Data Update Form.
Important Timing Note
- All required name updates must be submitted and processed before diploma printing.
- If you do not complete the necessary updates in advance:
- The name in the student information system will be printed on your diploma, or
- Your diploma may be delayed until the discrepancy is resolved
Additional Guidelines
- Commencement Program Deadline (May Graduates):
- You must submit your graduation application by March 1 to have your name included in the University Commencement program.
- FERPA Directory Restrictions:
- Students who have opted out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names published in the Commencement program.
- Titles Not Permitted:
- Titles such as Esq., Dr., etc., cannot be included on diplomas.
- Diploma Name Format:
- Diplomas are printed as:
First Name Middle Name (optional) Last Name
(Example: Benjamin Franklin)Diploma names must be provided in English. Do not include parentheses, salutations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.), academic degree abbreviations (e.g., MD, MS), or the term “N/A.”
- Diplomas are printed as:
Submit a Legal Name Change or Correction form with the required documentation. Forward the confirmation of the request completion email to diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu. Note: Graduation Application(s) will not reflect this update.
Important:
Name Matching Requirements
- Your first and last name must match the legal first and last name recorded in Penn’s student information system. You can check the legal name listed in the student information system on your unofficial transcripts via Path@Penn.
- If the name you wish to display on your diploma differs significantly from your official student record, you must submit:
- A Legal Name Change or Correction, and
- A Diploma Name Change Request
via the Student Data Update Form.
Important Timing Note
- All required name updates must be submitted and processed before diploma printing.
- If you do not complete the necessary updates in advance:
- The name in the student information system will be printed on your diploma, or
- Your diploma may be delayed until the discrepancy is resolved
Additional Guidelines
- Commencement Program Deadline (May Graduates):
- You must submit your graduation application by March 1 to have your name included in the University Commencement program.
- FERPA Directory Restrictions:
- Students who have opted out of FERPA Directory Information will not have their names published in the Commencement program.
- Titles Not Permitted:
- Titles such as Esq., Dr., etc., cannot be included on diplomas.
- Diploma Name Format:
- Diplomas are printed as:
First Name Middle Name (optional) Last Name
(Example: Benjamin Franklin)Diploma names must be provided in English. Do not include parentheses, salutations (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms.), academic degree abbreviations (e.g., MD, MS), or the term “N/A.”
- Diplomas are printed as:
Diploma mailing addresses are submitted for shipping diploma(s) via the Graduation Application. Once submitted, you cannot change or revise the application. To review information submitted on your Graduation Application(s):
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click the “Update my personal information” link:
Scroll down to the Address section of the screen and click the pencil icon under the Diploma Mailing address:
- Ensure the "From Date" matches the date you submit the update. Using a past or future date may prevent the address from being saved correctly.
- Edit your diploma mailing address and click Save.
Note: Graduation Application(s) will not reflect this update.
- Log into Path@Penn.
Click “View my student profile” link:
Click the “Holds” section in the upper right-hand corner:
Click the triangle icon to view holds information:
Note:
- Only a Diploma Hold, a Financial Hold, and/or a Judicial Hold can prevent your diploma from being mailed.
- Update Required Information holds will not prevent the mailing of your diploma.
- If you see the message below, no action is required.
Information on how to remove holds on student records and accounts can be found on the Holds on Student Records & Accounts page.
For questions or concerns, contact the correct office listed under each hold type on the Holds on Student Records & Accounts page.
May 2026 graduates: Note that this option is available to students whose diplomas are not distributed during their school ceremonies.
Please note:
- Please note that selecting an express secure shipping option does not expedite the processing of your diploma. Processing times remain the same regardless of the shipping method chosen.
- If you choose the default domestic shipping option, no action is needed.
- If you choose the default international shipping, no action is needed.
- If you choose the secure domestic shipping option, pay via a secure online payment form linked below.
- If you choose the secure international shipping option, pay via a secure online payment form linked below.
| Default Shipping | Express Secure Shipping | |
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| International Shipping Address - Canada, Mexico, and European countries |
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| International Shipping Address - Other Countries |
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Graduates can have their diplomas mailed to a trusted friend or relative. When the online payment option opens, please make sure to enter "c/o First Name Last Name" in the first address line, including the name of your trusted friend or relative based on the shipping method selected.
The name on your transcript is the legal name on file in the student record system, i.e., your Student Record name. If you’ve legally changed your legal name, please submit a Legal Name Change or Correction request, then forward the request completion confirmation email to diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu.
For GNBT students, if you have not yet updated your legal name, please contact our office via email at diplomas@pobox.upenn.edu.
Yes. After you have confirmed that your degree(s) have been awarded on your unofficial transcript via Path@Penn, you have the following options:
- National Student Clearinghouse, for a small fee, your employer can verify your degree.
- Office of the University Registrar’s Degree Verification Letter, Unofficial Transcript, or Official Transcript.
No. Diplomas are mailed with a generic English translation and a letter from the President. Display accessories are available at the Penn Bookstore, or any store that offers framing.
The size of the current diploma is 9 5/8 inches by 12 1/4 inches.
The University of Pennsylvania diploma has been printed in Latin since its first graduating class in 1757.
Yes. You can order an English translation online by following these steps by following the steps under the "Diploma Translations Services" section of the Diploma/Translation Order Request Form FAQs page.
No. On-campus pick-up is not available.
No. Diplomas are not issued for completed certificate programs at the University of Pennsylvania.
