Richmond American University London Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Richmond American University London degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.

Our service can include:

• HEDD degree verification;
• UK and US awarding-body checks;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO apostille;
• US apostille-route guidance;
• a 2-working-day express UK apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

Richmond is unusual because graduates may receive both a UK and a US degree. Therefore, the correct verification and legalisation route depends on the graduation date and the document being used.

Who verifies a Richmond degree?

Richmond American University London uses HEDD as its exclusive third-party degree-verification service.

HEDD can check:

• current or former student status;
• the award received;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.

Candidate consent

Richmond requires a consent form dated within the previous three months.

The University accepts:

• handwritten signatures;
• Adobe Sign;
• DocuSign; and
• freehand digital signatures.

However, it does not accept typed signatures.

The signed consent can be uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.

Check the graduation period

The UK awarding body depends on when the student graduated.

1978 to 1996

Richmond did not award UK degrees during this period. The graduate may therefore hold a US degree only.

Consequently, an FCDO apostille may not be the correct route. Richmond states that graduates from before 19 November 1993 should follow the Delaware legalisation route. Later cases depend on the graduation date and the exact degree obtained.

1996 to 2018

Richmond awarded US degrees alongside UK degrees validated by The Open University.

Therefore:

• HEDD can verify the Richmond record;
• The Open University may control the UK replacement certificate; and
• the UK and US documents may require different apostille routes.

From August 2018

Richmond has awarded its own UK degrees alongside its US degrees.

A graduate may therefore receive:

• a Richmond UK degree;
• a Richmond US degree; and
• a transcript showing both awards.

Richmond currently describes itself as awarding both UK and US degrees to its students.

Information required

We normally request:

• the front and back of each diploma;
• the academic transcript;
• the graduate’s passport;
• the full name used during study;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• student number, if known;
• course and degree titles;
• graduation date;
• Latin honours and minors, where relevant;
• signed consent; and
• the intended country of use.

For older awards, the former name used during study is especially important.

HEDD also allows the enquirer to request confirmation of the UK degree title, Latin honours, minors or other information in the additional-information field.

Transcripts and replacement diplomas

Richmond provides official transcripts through Registry Services.

A transcript currently costs £15. It carries the University seal and Academic Registrar’s signature. Richmond states that the graduate transcript displays both the US and UK awards where applicable.

A replacement Richmond diploma currently costs £50.

For an Open University-validated UK degree, the graduate may need to request a replacement UK certificate from The Open University instead. Richmond’s current page lists an Open University replacement-certificate charge of £46, although applicants should confirm the latest fee directly before applying.

Richmond also currently offers a graduation or verification letter for £10 through its Registry Services store.

Enhanced solicitor certification

A basic certified true copy only confirms that the copy matches the document shown to the solicitor.

Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence.

Depending on the case, our solicitor may:

1. obtain HEDD verification;
2. identify the UK and US awarding bodies;
3. review both diplomas;
4. compare the official transcript;
5. check the graduate’s identity and former names;
6. confirm which degree requires legalisation; and
7. certify the document using wording supported by the evidence.

We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.

UK FCDO apostille

A Richmond UK degree can normally proceed to the FCDO after suitable solicitor certification.

The usual route is:

HEDD verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the academic record.

Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible UK documents.

However, this period only covers the FCDO stage. It does not include:

• HEDD processing;
• transcript or diploma production;
• Open University enquiries;
• solicitor verification;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

US degree apostille

A Richmond US degree does not automatically follow the UK FCDO route.

The document may require authentication or an apostille through the relevant US authority. Richmond specifically directs some older graduates to the Delaware legalisation process.

Therefore, we first check:

• which diploma the receiving authority requires;
• whether it is the UK or US award;
• where the relevant signature was issued; and
• whether one or both diplomas need legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the apostille or authentication stage.

The receiving authority may request:

• the UK diploma;
• the US diploma;
• both diplomas;
• an official transcript;
• HEDD verification;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• a certified translation; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we confirm the document and destination requirements before beginning the process.

Our process

1. Review the diplomas and transcript.
2. Identify the UK and US awarding bodies.
3. Obtain valid candidate consent.
4. Submit the HEDD verification request.
5. Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
6. Arrange the UK or US apostille route.
7. Complete embassy legalisation where required.
8. Return the completed documents.

Frequently asked questions

Does Richmond award both UK and US degrees?

Yes. Richmond currently awards both UK and US degrees. However, the UK awarding arrangement for older graduates depends on the graduation date.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current fee is £14.

Can the consent form be digitally signed?

Yes. Richmond accepts verifiable digital and freehand digital signatures. Typed signatures are not accepted.

Who awarded Richmond UK degrees before 2018?

Between 1996 and 2018, The Open University validated Richmond’s UK degrees. Richmond has awarded its own UK degrees since August 2018.

Did Richmond award UK degrees before 1996?

No. HEDD states that Richmond did not award UK degrees between 1978 and 1996.

Can I obtain an official transcript?

Yes. An official Richmond transcript currently costs £15 and shows both awards where applicable.

Can I obtain a replacement diploma?

Yes. A replacement Richmond diploma currently costs £50. An Open University-validated UK degree may require a separate request to The Open University.

Does an FCDO apostille cover the US degree?

Not necessarily. The UK and US diplomas may require different apostille authorities.

Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?

Yes, for an eligible UK document once verification and solicitor certification are complete.