1. State Licensing Agency/Department of Education: The state where the school was located likely has an agency that licenses and oversees career schools. Contacting their records department is your best first step. They may have archived records, even if the school itself is gone. Search online for "[State Name] Department of Education" or "[State Name] licensing board for vocational schools/career schools."
2. The School's Former Registrar or Administrator (If Possible): If you can find contact information for someone who worked at the school (even an old phone number or email address), it's worth trying to reach out. They may have personal copies of records or know where they were sent. LinkedIn could be a useful tool for this.
3. The School's Closing Notice or Bankruptcy Filing (If Available): If the school closed due to bankruptcy, the court records associated with the bankruptcy might mention the handling of student records. You can typically access these through the court system's website in the relevant county or jurisdiction. A closing notice might also mention where records were sent.
4. National Student Clearinghouse: While the Clearinghouse primarily focuses on post-secondary institutions, it's *possible* (though not guaranteed) that the school submitted some information there. It's worth checking their website.
5. Your Local Library or Historical Society: These institutions sometimes keep local business records, though this is a long shot.
6. The Accrediting Agency (If Applicable): If the school was accredited, its accrediting agency might have some records, although access may be limited.
What to do if you can't find them:
* Contact potential employers directly: Explain the situation and offer alternative proof of your training or skills (certificates, portfolio, etc.).
* Consider retaking the relevant courses: This is the most definitive solution, but it’s also the most time-consuming and costly.
Keep in mind that the success of finding the transcripts heavily depends on the school's size, how recently it closed, and the quality of their record-keeping. Be prepared for a potentially lengthy search and don't hesitate to contact multiple agencies.