Is that degree certificate real? 7 checks to run before you make the offer
A degree on a CV can decide who gets the interview, the higher salary band or the role that needs a qualification by law. If you accept it without checking, you could end up with a bad hire, a compliance problem or an awkward dismissal months later. Most degrees are exactly what they claim to be, but a few are inflated, unfinished or bought from a degree mill. This guide shows you how to verify a degree certificate in 7 practical checks, how to spot a fake one, and how to stay fair to honest candidates while you do it.
Why a certificate alone is not proof
A certificate is a document, and documents can be edited, scanned from someone else's file or printed by an organisation that is not a real university. A clean, official-looking design tells you nothing on its own. What proves a degree is confirmation from the institution that issued it, or from an official register that lists it.
That does not mean every candidate is suspect. Many mismatches have honest explanations: a name changed after marriage, a degree title translated differently, a course that was renamed, or a graduation ceremony held months after the course ended. Treat a gap as a question to ask, not as proof of lying.
Before you check: consent and timing
Ask the candidate first
Tell candidates at the shortlist stage that you verify qualifications for the role, and ask for their written consent to contact the institution. Many universities will only release information about a graduate with that consent. It also gives honest candidates a chance to mention anything unusual up front.
Check only what the role needs
Verify the qualifications that matter for the job: a degree the role requires, a licence the law requires, or a qualification that sets the pay level. Keep what you collect secure and use it only for the hiring decision. In Australia, the privacy regulator's guidance on employment is a good starting point for how personal information should be handled.
How to verify a degree certificate: 7 checks
Run these 7 checks in order. Most degrees are confirmed by the third or fourth step.
- Ask for the full set of documents. Request a copy of the certificate and the academic transcript. A transcript is harder to fake convincingly, and the subjects and dates should match the CV.
- Compare the details with the CV. Check the name, the degree title, the major, the institution and the year. Note any difference and ask about it in a neutral way.
- Confirm the institution is real and recognised. Look it up on an official register for its country. In Australia, the national register of higher education providers lists every registered provider. In the UK, the government explains how to check that a university can award a degree.
- Find the institution's contact details yourself. Use the official website you reached through the register, not a phone number, email or web address printed on the certificate. Fake certificates sometimes point to fake verification desks.
- Use the official verification route. Many universities have a registrar, an alumni records office or an online service that confirms awards. Send the candidate's consent, full name, date of birth if they ask for it, the degree and the year.
- Record what was confirmed. Write down who confirmed the degree, the date, and exactly what they confirmed (award, year, grade if given). A short note protects you if the decision is ever questioned.
- Decide fairly if you cannot get an answer. Some institutions are slow, have merged or have closed. Ask the candidate for other proof, such as an official transcript sent directly from the registrar, a statement from a professional body they joined, or an assessment of the qualification by an official authority in your country.
Warning signs of a fake degree certificate
None of these signs proves a fake on its own, but two or three together are a reason to slow down and check carefully.
| What you see | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A degree "awarded for life experience" or finished in weeks | Real degrees need study and assessment over time | Ask for the transcript and the dates of study |
| An institution name very close to a well-known university | Degree mills often copy famous names | Check the exact name on the official register |
| No transcript, or a transcript with no subjects or marks | Genuine graduates can usually request one | Request it directly from the registrar |
| Dates that do not fit the work history | Full-time study during full-time work is possible but worth asking about | Ask how they studied: part-time, online, evenings |
| Spelling mistakes, blurred seals or mixed fonts | Edited scans often show these | Confirm with the institution before deciding |
Overseas degrees
Degrees from another country follow the same steps, with more time built in. Search for the institution on the education ministry's register in its own country, write to the registrar in plain English, and allow for time-zone and holiday delays. Some countries use attestation or apostille stamps on certificates; a stamp shows the document went through an official process, but it is still worth confirming the award with the institution itself. The earlier article on how to verify overseas work experience covers the same patience with employers abroad.
A sample request to a university registrar
Example: Subject: Degree verification request for Amara Okafor
Dear Registrar, Northgate Builders is considering Amara Okafor (born 14 May 1994) for a role in its engineering team. With her written consent, attached, could you please confirm whether she was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2018? Only the award and the year need to be confirmed. Thank you for your help.
The example uses fictional names. Keep your own request this short, attach the consent, and ask only for what you need.
When the degree checks out but the CV does not
A genuine degree does not mean the rest of the CV is accurate. Candidates who inflate one detail sometimes inflate another, such as a job title or the length of a role. If something felt off during the degree check, take a closer look at the work history too. These guides on spotting fake work experience on a CV and checking an experience letter walk through the next steps.
Where Talent Tabloid fits
On Talent Tabloid, candidates can add a degree, diploma, licence or certificate with an online verification link or registry ID, or upload the certificate and transcript for review by the team. A qualification on Talent Tabloid only carries a verified badge after it has been confirmed by the issuing institution or the documents have been reviewed, and there is no fixed turnaround for these checks. Employers can look up a candidate by name or username on the People Search page and see which qualifications carry a badge. A badge gives you evidence to check, not a replacement for your own judgement. You can read more on the page for employers, or create an employer account.
Frequently asked questions
Can I verify a degree without the candidate's consent?
Many institutions will not confirm anything without it, and privacy rules in many countries expect you to tell candidates what you are collecting. Ask for written consent first.
How long does degree verification usually take?
It varies by institution and country. Some confirm within days; overseas or closed institutions can take weeks, so start early in the hiring process.
Is a certified copy of a certificate enough?
A certified copy shows that the copy matches a document someone saw. It does not prove the original came from a real institution, so confirm the award with the institution as well.
What should I do if a degree turns out to be fake?
Give the candidate a chance to respond, record what you found, and make your decision on the evidence. Get advice before taking action against an existing employee.
