Before you can request an academic transcript, you will need to complete a request form with your institution. This form comes with a small fee and may be completed either in the office or online through the school's website. The form serves as the first line of security against fraud by asking for student name, address, home phone number, dates attended, and the degree obtained. These facts are checked against those in the computer system to verify student identity. When submitting the form in person, you will also be asked to show a student ID to verify identity and sign the form to authorize release of your personal information.
Your Social Security number (SSN) is used throughout your college academic career as your identification number. Presumably, only you should know your social security number. When requesting a transcript in-person or online, you will need to provide your SSN for verification purposes. This is an important security protocol as forging someone else's SSN is a serious crime.
Your institution will never directly hand you the official copy of your academic transcript. The college is afraid of students altering and forging the official document before it reaches its destination. Thus, the college will only send official copies of the academic transcript directly to the intended recipient, be it an employer, agency or academic institution. The destination address cannot be your home or a residence. It must either be an educational institution, government agency, employer, non-profit organization, or any other viable recipient. The college has the right to check the destination address prior to sending the transcript to verify identity. If the student wants a copy of the academic transcript, the college will provide an unofficial student copy.