التصديقات

The Iraqi Cultural Office is responsible for authenticating academic certificates and documents issued by accredited institutions in the United States and Canada for the following categories:

• Iraqi-sponsored students: including scholarship recipients, fellowship holders, students on study leave, and self-funded students.
• Iraqi Citizens who have graduated from reputable American or Canadian universities, colleges, institutes, or schools, or are currently studying.
• Non-Iraqi individuals seeking employment or education in Iraq.

Instructions and Requirements for Authentication at the Cultural Office in Washington and Ottawa:

The following documents are eligible for authentication:

1. University and Academic Documents:

• Grade transcripts
• Graduation certificates (Diplomas)
• Doctoral dissertations / Master's theses
  Note: The transcript must explicitly state the final grade percentage. If this information is absent, an official letter from the university specifying the final percentage is required, under the directives of the Scholarship and Cultural Relations Department.

2. School Documents:

• Transcript
• Diploma
• School letter
• Report card
  Note: The education must be conducted in-person (face-to-face) per the Ministry of Education’s regulations.

3. Enrollment Verification for Retirement Purposes
 

Important instructions:

• For high school graduation certificates (Grade 12), both the transcript and diploma must be submitted together. Transcripts and report cards must include grades or evaluations for academic subjects.
• For students in grades 6 to 11, transcripts or report cards must include grades or evaluations. Attendance or enrollment certificates without grades or evaluations will not be authenticated.
• For elementary students (Grades 1 to 5 or 6), documents must clearly state the student’s name and completed grade level.
• For master’s and doctoral degrees, the diploma and transcript must be submitted together. Separate submissions of only the diploma or transcript will not be accepted.
• Doctoral dissertations and master’s theses must be signed by the examination committee, supervisor, and the academic department or university (Notarization is NOT REQUIRED).
• For authentication of enrollment verification for retirement salary purposes, the applicant must obtain a confirmation letter from the academic institution confirming their continued enrollment.

For authentication of the diploma only, a copy of the transcript proving the awarded degree must be provided. Similarly, for authentication of the transcript only, a copy of the diploma must be submitted.

Things to do prior sending documents for authentication (standard mail only, Electronic submission is not accepted):

1. Documents Must Be Authenticated By: 

• A Notary Public and the Secretary of State (for U.S.-issued documents).
• A Notary Public and either the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its representative in the province (for Canadian-issued documents).

All primary document details (student name, university or school name, academic degree, grade level, and final grade) must be clear and unaffected by stamps or perforations.

2. Forms Required (attached) : 

• Authentication Request Form
• Release of Information Consent Form

To avoid processing delays, applicants are advised to verify the university/school email address used for document validation. Incorrect or non-responsive email addresses frequently result in applications being delayed or returned. It is essential to carefully fill out all required details, especially the email address in the Release of Information Consent Form.

3. Proof of Iraqi Nationality:
Applicants must include a copy of one of the following:

• Iraqi passport
• National identity card
• Civil status ID
• Certificate of Iraqi citizenship
  If the applicant has changed their name, official documentation confirming the change must be provided. Foreign identification documents are not accepted.

4. Authentication Fees:
 

• A Money Order payable to the Iraqi Cultural Office must be included. The fee is $15 per document (not per page). Example: A diploma ($15) + transcript ($15) = total of $30. Additional copies cost $15 per copy.
   
• For Canadian-issued documents: Since Money Orders from Canada are frequently rejected by the U.S. banking system, applicants must contact the Cultural Office before sending documents to confirm the appropriate payment method. Contact numbers: 202-986-2626 or 202-986-2899.
   

5. Return Mailing Requirements:
 

• Applicants must include a prepaid return envelope with the sender’s address clearly specified for returning authenticated documents.
   
• The envelope must include a tracking number for follow-up. The Cultural Office is not responsible for delays, loss, or damage to return envelopes and their contents.
   
• For Canadian applicants: Documents should be sent using UPS, as it has proven to be the most reliable method for ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
   
• Do not send via DHL, as there are no nearby service centers available for processing at the Iraqi Cultural Office.
   

Mailing Address for Authentication Requests:
Iraqi Cultural Office
3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, District of Columbia, 20007 USA

Important Notice:

• Application Must Be for a Single Individual:
   
  • Each authentication request should contain documents for only one person (do not list multiple names in the same application).
  • Separate Release of Information Consent Forms must be submitted for each academic institution.

• Document Copies:
   
  • Applicants must provide one photocopy of each document being authenticated along with the original.

• Authentication Does Not Equate to Credential Evaluation:
   
  • Authentication by the Iraqi Cultural Office does not serve as an equivalency assessment of an academic or school certificate.

• Same-day authentication services are unavailable. Applicants cannot visit the office in person for immediate authentication. The authentication process requires verification with the issuing institution to ensure document legitimacy and accreditation. 

Documents That Cannot Be Authenticated:

• Certificates issued by unrecognized universities or colleges.
• Non-academic documents, including training, professional, union, or honorary certificates.
• University/school acceptance or enrollment letters (only enrollment confirmation or current enrollment verification can be authenticated).
• Certificates issued by online or homeschooling institutions (except for students who attended online classes due to COVID-19 from Spring 2020 to Fall 2020, per the Iraqi Ministry of Education guidelines).
• Incomplete applications will be immediately returned. The Cultural Office is not responsible for delays due to missing documents.

Contact Information:
Iraqi Cultural Office
3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, District of Columbia, 20007 USA

Email: authentication@iraqiculture-usa.org
Phone: 202-986-2626, 202-986-2899

For recognized universities and schools, visit:
U.S. Department of Education Accredited Institutions

https://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=ed.gov&query