Convalidation is the process of verifying transcripts to receive credit in your home country!
Some countries, such as Spain and Brazil, require their students to acquire convalidationof their high school grades in order to receive credit for their exchange program. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the convalidation process. Students should check with their home agency to see if convalidation applies to them.
This process is extensive and takes time – it includes having the student’s transcript and any supplemental letters and documents notarized and approved with an apostille stamp by the Secretary of State.
How to Complete Convalidation?
AnB Education does not provide these services, but we can give you with the necessary steps should you wish to complete the process on their own.
Acquire your Official Transcripts from School. It needs to be signed by a school official and notarized. If the high school does not have a notary on staff, usually a bank will have a notary you can schedule with.
a)Include a signed & stamped notary statement
Complete any required State forms or additional steps
Include payment for each document
Prepare a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope with Host Family address
Send all documents in steps 1-4 (including Cover Letter) to the Secretary of State of your State:
Leave a self-addressed, Pre-stamped envelope with the host family that is addressed to your home in your home country. Once Secretary of State returns the official documents to the Host Family address using the first pre-stamped envelope from step 3, the Host Family can use the step 6 envelope to forward the documents to the student in their home country.
***Any State specific documents, additional steps, and addresses can be found by going to your State’s official website (usually a .gov site). You can search the “Apostille Process” or “Certification/Authentication of documents/grades.” ***
While students are able to complete convalidation on their own, the process involves a significant amount of time, detail, and steps. Therefore, AnB Education strongly advises students use a third party service.
