Do I need to send academic transcripts unopened from my university?
Good question. My undergrad institution and the school where I did my doctorate provided me with transcripts as loose paper (i.e., not in a sealed envelope) and and I just submitted them to whatever body as is. [Note not to uni-assist so they may have a different policy.] However, the university where I did my Masters was different. The transcripts I received from them say (in very large letters) that they are not valid unless received in the original unopened envelope from them. So your call on that front. I do remember having to get some documents notarized where I didnt have the original. I was actually in the lawyers office getting something else notarized and asked him how to do that. His response was I cant notarize the copy youve got but I can take a copy of that and notarize that its a true copy. And thats what I did - thought his logic was a little edgy but what he was doing was certifying that it was a true copy of the document I had handed to him. Not that the original was legit. As for how to get things notarized - google should give you the names of a number of places you can get things notarized. Speak to them.