• Students must submit a graduation application through SURFS by the stated deadline for the term they are planning to graduate.

• Students who submitted a graduation application but are later removed from the applicant/candidate list by their school/program are required to submit a new graduation application for the next term in which they are eligible.

Rather than hosting a University-wide commencement ceremony at a local arena, UMB will hold a large and festive celebration for all graduates and their family members on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at a site to be determined.  

Go to the University of Maryland Graduation Celebration  webpage for more information.

Schools/Programs may hold graduation ceremonies for their graduates.  For more information, contact the Student Affairs or Records and Registration Office in your School/Program.

WHEN WILL MY DEGREE BE POSTED ON MY TRANSCRIPT?

Approximately 2 weeks after the end of the semester or when your School/Program certifies you to graduate.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE? 

SPRING (MAY) GRADUATES

• Diplomas:  Student who are awarded a degree can expect to receive their diploma mailed to the address provided on the graduation application. 

• Certificates: Students who are awarded a certificate can expect to receive their certificate mailed to the address provided on the graduation application by MID-JULY.

SUMMER (JULY) GRADUATES 

Diplomas/Certificates will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application by MID-SEPTEMBER.

FALL (DECEMBER) GRADUATES

Diplomas/Certificates will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application by EARLY FEBRUARY.

CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC DIPLOMA (CeDiploma)

Effective Summer 2020, in addition to the printed diploma, UMB graduates are eligible to receive a digital copy of their diploma. 

How to Access Your Digital Diploma or Certificate

You will receive an email with a link to download your credential when it is available from our trusted partner, CeCredential Trust®.

To request a new download link, please use the CeCredential Trust site to resend the link.

Be sure to register for your free account directly on the CeCredential Trust® website in order to have lifetime access to your CeDiploma.

Learn more here: CeCredential Overview page.

If you have any questions, please email registrar@umaryland.edu with your name and student ID. We wish you the very best in all your future endeavors.

NOTE: For security, the CeDiploma is designed to retain its digital character at all times. You may print the validation results if required. Please direct any questions or concerns to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu.

NOTE: Students with an outstanding financial obligation will not receive their diplomas/certificates.  For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu.

Sincerely,
University of Maryland – Baltimore
Office of the Registrar

HOW IS MY NAME DISPLAYED ON THE DIPLOMA?

• The name on your diploma will be your official name as it appears on University records.  You can view your official name by logging into SURFS.  Note: Professional designations (e.g. JD, MD, etc.) will not be included after your name.
• If you would like to request a name that is different from what appears on the University records, you can submit a Request to Change Personal Information, by logging into SURFS.  If you have questions about using another name, please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu.

PREFERRED DIPLOMA NAME

It is recommended that the diploma name match your official legal name, however a preferred name may be considered. 

Student preferred name request will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar before approving for the diploma. The process can take up to 72 hours to complete. Upon approval, the preferred name will be displayed on the UMB diploma/certificate and other related programs.   All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Neither titles nor degrees previously earned will be included as part of a graduate's name on a diploma/certificate. Please also note that names that may be offensive or nicknames, i.e. Snail, Boogerface, etc, will not be approved.

Preferred First Name vs. Preferred Diploma Name: What’s the Difference?

Setting a preferred first name DOES NOT change the name that will be listed on a diploma or used at Graduation ceremonies. A student must specify a diploma name to change the name listed on their diploma and other Graduation related materials.

To request a preferred FIRST Name and preferred MIDDLE Name, submit this form - Preferred Diploma Name

Apostille
Diploma apostille can ONLY be provided when using your legal full name.

Note for Degree Verification
Third parties using the preferred name appearing on your diploma will not be able to verify your degree through the National Student Clearinghouse because of name mismatch. Enrollment/degree verification is provided using your full legal name.

Note for Graduates planning to live or work abroad
Some countries may require your diploma (in conjunction with your official transcript) for various legal, immigration, and employment purposes. Choosing to print your preferred name on your diploma may result in unforeseen complications due to discrepancy between your diploma and other documents (e.g. transcripts, passport, birth certificates, etc.) that contain your primary (i.e. legal) name. To avoid such complications, we recommend printing your primary name on your diploma if you plan to live, study, work outside of the United States

Note for student/graduates of professional schools
Before opting to print your preferred name on your diploma, please take into consideration that professional licensing requirements require you to use your legal name. For example, State Bar application and licensure and federal employment/guidelines require the use of the legal name. Using your preferred name on your diploma may result in rejection, delay, scrutiny, and/or requirements for additional proof of identification associated with any application for employment, licensure, credentialing, visa application, and/or other processes that require verification of your education records.

If you decide to change your diploma name back to your primary name after graduation, please note that you will be required to request and pay for a replacement diploma.  

SPRING GRADUATES

Diplomas will be mailed directly to the students after graduation or after the date in which you were certified to graduate, whichever occurs later.  

Diplomas with Latin honors designations (or other honor designations) will be mailed approximately 8-12 weeks after graduation or after the date in which you were certified to graduate, whichever occurs later.

SUMMER and FALL GRADUATES

There is no opportunity for SUMMER and FALL graduates to claim their diploma in person. Your diploma will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application approximately 8-12 weeks after graduation.

CERTIFICATES

All certificates will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation application approximately 8-12 weeks after graduation or after the date in which you were certified to graduate, whichever occurs later.

To order a replacement diploma, complete the Request for Reissued Diploma     

Fee: A fee of $55 is charged for each reissued diploma (14-inch width by 11-inch height); a fee of $45 is charged for each reissued certificate (11-inch width by 8.5-inch height).

Processing time: 8-12 weeks

A replacement diploma or certificate will carry all information contained in the original except all the signatories will be current University officers.  The style and size of the document will also reflect the current standards in place at the time your request is fulfilled.

Please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu for more information.

Please contact your School/Program Records and Registration Office to obtain graduation invitation letters.

Student Graduation FAQ’s

Graduation Information: https://www.umaryland.edu/registrar/graduation/

Q: How do I apply for graduation?

A: Log in to “SURFS”, Click “Students”, Click “Graduation Application”, and complete it!

Q: How do I change my anticipated graduation date?

A: Students can supply their expected graduation date by sending an email to registrar@umaryland.edu using your @umaryland email address. 

Q: What happens if I miss the graduation application window?

  A: Contact your school registration department for next steps!

Q: I applied for graduation in a past semester and did not graduate.  How do I apply for a different semester?

A: If you have applied for graduation in the past and did not graduate, you will not be able to complete a new graduation application. You will need to contact your school/program for assistance, a manually application will be completed on your behalf. 

Q: How do I change my first name and or middle name for my diploma/certificate?

A: 30-days before graduation the Office of the Registrar will send an email asking for you to VERIFY INFORMATION FOR GRADUATION. A link will be provided for the PERFERRED NAME DIPLOMA REQUEST FORM to complete.  If you complete the form requesting to update your preferred first and or preferred middle name, it will be changed for your diploma/certificate ONLY. Otherwise, the name on your SURFS account will be the name displayed on your diploma.  If you do not receive an email from (registrar@umaryland.edu) contact your school.

Q: How do I change my last name for my diploma?

A: Go the “Office of the Registrar’s” website at www.umaryland.ed/registrar, click “Forms and Services” then click “Request to Change Personal Information”. Complete that form and provide the supporting documentation to be processed. In 2 - 4 business days your name will be changed in SURFS. After that we will also confirm the name for my diploma/certificate within 30-days of graduation via email (from registrar@umaryland.edu). To ensure the change of personal information appears on the diploma this change needs to occur 30-days prior to graduation, after you will be required to pay additional fees to receive a new copy.

Q: How do I confirm the address that my diploma/certificate will be sent to?

A: 30-days prior to graduation the Office of the Registrar will send an email asking for you to confirm your address! Contacting the Office of the Registrar is the only way to update your diploma/certificate mailing address. If you do not receive an email from (registrar@umaryland.edu) contact your school. We are unable to mail your diploma and or certificate to an international address, please provide a United States postal address for delivery, email registrar@umaryland.edu with the USA address.

Q: What if I receive a diploma/certificate with the incorrect spelling and/or incorrect name?

A: Contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu with a picture of the diploma/certificate you received and provide the correct spelling/ name that you were expecting. You may be requested to mail the diploma/certificate to the Office of the Registrar prior to receiving the corrected one.  If the spelling or preferred name was initiated by you, you would need to request a new one, in which you will incur additional fees for ordering a new diploma/certificate.

Q: How can I confirm that the correct degree, and major appear on my diploma?

A: The Office of the Registrar will send an email 30-days prior to graduation to have you confirm your degree and major. The diploma will list degree and major only.  The certificate will list the program and concentration only.  If you do not receive an email from (registrar@umaryland.edu) contact your school. If you receive a degree or certificate with incorrect program, major and/or concentration please contact registrar@umaryland.edu.

Q: How do I order my cap and gown?

A: Contact your school and they will provide you with next steps!

Q: Do I have to order a cap and gown if I already have one from a previous university?

A: Check with your program, most programs require a cap and gown to attend the graduation ceremony!

Q: Where do I pick up my cap and gown?

A: All caps and gowns are picked up at the bookstore located in the Campus Center Building at 621 W Lombard Street, phone number is 410-328-7788.

Q:  How can I request a degree verification?

A: Students may request a degree verification online via Forms and Services - Office of the Registrar (umaryland.edu).  Your degree verification will reflect degree and or certificate as conferred, and date.

Q:  How can I request a transcript?

A: Students may request a transcript online via Forms and Services - Office of the Registrar (umaryland.edu) 2-3 weeks after graduation. Your transcript will reflect your degree and or certificate as conferred.

Q:  How do I access my digital diploma (CeDiploma)?

A: You will receive an email 3-4 weeks after graduation with a link from CeCredential Trust to download your diploma.

If you have any additional questions, please call the Office of the Registrar at 410-706-7480 or email us at registrar@umaryland.edu.

_{Updated: 11/1/2023 12:51:30 PM}