What's an Official Transcript?

I'm puzzled about what is meant by 'official transcript'. How does it differ from the normal transcript? What additional info does it have? What all does it include? Can anyone clarify this for me? Thanks in advance.

An official transcript refers to a record of your academic achievements in high school, but what sets it apart is that it's sent directly from your high school to the college or university you're applying to. This direct transfer ensures the authenticity of the document—it's a guarantee that the transcript has not been altered or tampered with by the student.

An official transcript typically includes a record of all classes you've taken throughout your high school years, along with the credits earned, and the grades you received in these classes. It also incorporates your GPA (both weighted and unweighted), attendance records, and any honors or accolades you received. Depending on your high school, it might also list additional information such as class rank, standardized test scores, or disciplinary records.

The transcript usually has some kind of official seal or signature to indicate its authenticity. This could include a school district seal, principal's signature, or a watermark on the paper.

In contrast, a regular or "unofficial" transcript can be a printed or photocopied version of this information without the official seal, or it could be a student-accessible online record. It's essentially the same information, but without the official validation from your high school. While an unofficial transcript can be useful for your personal record keeping or for preliminary review by colleges, when it comes to the formal application process, universities typically require the official version to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

Remember, it's important to request your official transcript from your high school in advance of any application deadlines, as it can sometimes take a while for your school to process the request.