Obtaining Your Diploma

Degrees are conferred each quarter but diplomas are awarded once a year at departmental Commencement ceremonies held following the University ceremony in the stadium. Diplomas are available for pick-up or mailing on the diploma distribution dates listed below.

Undergraduate Degrees:

If you choose to "attend" your department ceremony as your diploma distribution option, then diplomas for undergraduate degrees are distributed to departments once a year at the June Commencement ceremony regardless of which quarter the degree was conferred.

If you choose "Pick-up" or "Mail" as your diploma distribution option, then those diplomas are available for pick-up or mailing on the diploma distribution date listed below. Please note that UG distinction is only calculated once a year during the Spring Quarter. If you have received your diploma before Spring Commencement via mail or pick-up, and have since been granted distinction, then you will have to return your original diploma to the Student Services Center to be reprinted free of charge.

Graduate Degrees:

Diplomas for graduate degrees are available for pick-up or mailing on the diploma distribution date listed below.

Diploma Distribution Dates

Distribution Options:

When you use Axess to apply to graduate, you are asked how you wish to receive your diploma:

• Ceremony: at the June departmental or school commencement ceremony
• Pick-up: Students/Alumni who select this option, can pick up their diploma(s) at the Student Services Center on the distribution dates listed above.
• Mail: by mail. Pay fees to the Office of the University Registrar according to the cost listed in Axess for the mailing service you select.

Mailing your Diploma FedEx:

Stanford offers the option to mail your diploma via FedEx domestic ($15.00) or FedEx international ($35.00). Both of these mailing options are assessed a fee. If you selected one of the FedEx distribution options for your diploma then you must mail a check made payable to “Stanford University” to the address below, or drop off your check in the Registrar’s Office drop box located outside of the Registrar’s Office. Please indicate on the check memo “FedEx Diploma Fee.”

Office of the University Registrar

Stanford University

482 Galvez Mall, Suite 120

Stanford, CA 94305-6032

Designate someone to pick up:

If you select the pick-up option, you may designate someone in advance to pick up your diploma for you.

Multiple diplomas:

Since all departmental ceremonies are held concurrently, if you are a multiple major or will receive multiple degrees in different departments (e.g., coterminal or dual degree student), you must indicate which ceremony you plan to attend. You can pick up the other diploma at the Student Services Center on Commencement Sunday (Noon-4:00pm), or elect to have the diploma mailed.

Changes to distribution options:

You can change your distribution choice, via Axess, up until two weeks before degree conferral. After this deadline has past, you must complete a  Diploma Distribution form to change your distribution option.