Royal Holloway College Degree Verification and Apostille

Ginkgo Advisory provides Royal Holloway College degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their academic documents overseas.

Our service can include:

• HEDD degree verification;
• enhanced solicitor certification;
• authenticity confirmation;
• FCDO paper apostille or e-Apostille;
• a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
• embassy legalisation where required.

Royal Holloway College merged with Bedford College in 1985. The merged institution now operates as Royal Holloway, University of London, which manages verification of the former College’s qualifications.

Who verifies the qualification?

Third-party enquirers must use HEDD to verify eligible Royal Holloway College qualifications.

HEDD can confirm:

• current or former student status;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade or classification; and
• attendance dates.

Royal Holloway is an exclusive HEDD partner. The current enquiry fee is £14.

The University normally processes qualification checks within five working days. During busier periods, this may increase to ten working days.

Candidate consent

Royal Holloway only accepts a hand-signed HEDD consent form.

The candidate must sign the form, and the enquirer must upload it as a:

• PDF;
• JPG;
• PNG; or
• TIF file.

We normally request:

• the certificate, including its reverse side;
• any available transcript;
• the graduate’s passport;
• full name used during study;
• any former name;
• date of birth;
• course and qualification titles;
• award date and classification;
• attendance dates;
• signed consent; and
• the intended country of use.

Distance-learning exception

Royal Holloway distance-learning awards cannot be verified through HEDD.

For these records, the request should go to the University of London’s Transcripts and Student Records service instead:

Email: transcripts@london.ac.uk
Address: Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DN

The University of London can provide transcripts, letters of certification, certified certificate copies and replacement certificates for eligible University of London awards.

Transcripts and replacement documents

Royal Holloway offers several documents for former students, including:

• validated transcript: £10;
• proof of study letter: £5;
• validated copy of a degree certificate: £5; and
• selected Royal Holloway replacement certificates: £30.

However, students whose Bachelor’s, Master’s or research degree was awarded by the University of London must request the replacement degree certificate from the University of London Diploma Production Office.

Therefore, we check the awarding body shown on the certificate before selecting the document route.

Enhanced solicitor certification

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

Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence. Depending on the case, our solicitor may:

1. obtain HEDD or University of London verification;
2. review the original certificate;
3. compare a validated transcript or proof-of-award letter;
4. check the graduate’s identity and former names;
5. confirm the historic and current institution names; and
6. certify the document using wording supported by the evidence.

We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.

FCDO apostille

After verification and solicitor certification, the document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.

The usual route is:

academic 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 documents.

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

• HEDD processing;
• University of London enquiries;
• transcript or certificate production;
• solicitor verification;
• embassy legalisation; or
• delivery.

Embassy legalisation

Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.

The overseas authority may request:

• the original degree certificate;
• a solicitor-certified copy;
• HEDD verification;
• an official transcript;
• a letter of certification;
• a certified translation; or
• specific certification wording.

Therefore, we check the destination requirements before preparing the documents.

Our process

1. Review the certificate and identify the awarding body.
2. Obtain the candidate’s hand-signed consent.
3. Submit the HEDD or University of London verification request.
4. Review any transcript or official award evidence.
5. Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
6. Arrange the FCDO apostille.
7. Complete embassy legalisation where required.
8. Return the completed documents.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Royal Holloway College degree still valid?

Yes. The 1985 merger does not invalidate a recognised qualification issued under the Royal Holloway College name.

Who verifies the qualification?

Royal Holloway, University of London verifies eligible awards through HEDD.

How much does HEDD verification cost?

The current enquiry fee is £14.

Can the consent form be digitally signed?

No. Royal Holloway’s published HEDD requirement specifies a hand-signed consent form.

Can HEDD verify a distance-learning award?

No. Distance-learning records must go to the University of London’s Transcripts and Student Records service.

Can I obtain a replacement certificate?

Possibly. The correct provider depends on the awarding body. University of London degree holders must normally apply to the University of London Diploma Production Office.

Does an apostille verify the degree?

No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. Academic verification remains a separate stage.

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

Yes, once verification and solicitor certification are complete and the document is ready for FCDO submission.

Contact Ginkgo Advisory

To request a quote, please send:

• the front and back of the certificate;
• any available transcript;
• the intended country of use; and
• the receiving authority’s instructions.