Is a Fake Diploma Illegal? Guide to Getting and Using a Duplicate Diploma

There aren't many things as special as a diploma. With a diploma from your school, you're taken more seriously by potential employers, and you earn the respect of the people around you. A diploma will also help you remember your high school years, whether it was spent having fun or studying for an 'A' in all your classes.

Yet, not everybody has such a great high school experience. Sometimes, people leave school without ever getting their diplomas; life happens, it can ruin a person's time in high school. People who had to leave school may choose to get a fake high school diploma later in life, instead.

By getting a fake diploma, they get something they can actually hold to remind them of high school. They also can use it to gain the trust and respect of the people around them. Chances are that they already demonstrated that they know all the things you learn in high school — they just need to prove it.

Keep reading below to learn more about fake high school diplomas, how they may be used, and how to get one!

Getting a Fake High School Diploma Is Legally Gray

Most people assume that getting a fake diploma is illegal and that it may get them arrested. Yet, that simply isn't true. Creating, purchasing, and owning a fake diploma is entirely legal.

Yet, there are some legal issues involved in using a fake diploma for something. And those legal complications can give people who own fake diplomas a bad reputation. It's important to remember that just because your diploma may be fake, the knowledge you have isn't.

You're more than your diploma, even if the law may not fully understand that. Keep reading below to learn more about the legal issues involved in fake diplomas.

Producing and Owning a Fake Diploma Is Fine

People who create and buy fake diplomas aren't automatically charged with a crime. In essence, all they're doing is buying some fancy paper with their name on it. That isn't a crime — the person may just want to frame it, or use it as a prop for something.

The only way fake diploma manufacturers can get in trouble is if they try to work with a school to make them authentic. If the manufacturer attempts to forge grades, transcripts, or any kind of official academic record, they will get in trouble. The person buying forgeries like that may also find themselves facing a judge. 

Using One To Get Something Is Fraud

Although it's not illegal to buy or make fake diplomas, it's considered fraud if you try to pass them off as real. If you submit a fake diploma to a potential employer, or to college admission councils, you're lying about something that people need to know about.

That constitutes fraud, and you will face charges for it according to its severity. Using a fake high school diploma to get into college isn't as severe as using one to get a job. Yet, both uses will lead to some kind of punishment.

People Get Fake Diplomas for Many Reasons

Not everyone gets fake diplomas because they want to lie to someone about their qualifications. Sometimes, actual diplomas get lost or someone may feel insecure about their education level. Getting a fake diploma may bring them some comfort and boost their confidence, even if they never plan to use it beyond showing their friends.

Keep reading below to learn more about different ways people may use a fake diploma, both legally and illegally.

To Replace Old Diplomas — For Memory's Sake

As valuable as a diploma is, it's still just a piece of paper, and papers go missing. It's just what they do. Normally, if someone loses their diploma, it can be replaced by notifying their alma mater or requesting a new one through the district office.

Yet, sometimes schools shut down and records go missing, too. When that happens, it can be harder to get an authentic copy of your diploma. It can feel like losing a symbol of your glory days.

So, people get a fake diploma to replace it instead. That way, they still get to reminisce about the time they spent in high school, without having to work so hard to get another authentic copy of their diploma.

As Props for Movies or for Fun

The rise of open video platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or even Twitch has led to a new generation of amateur filmmakers. These people use a wide variety of tools available to them to bring their visions into reality. And those visions require props to be believable.

To help tell their story, people may order fake diplomas as a prop for a YouTube video, or even an official movie.

To Boost Their Reputation

People who experience hardships while in high school may never actually graduate, regardless of how much they actually know. They may miss too many tests, or simply can't find a way to go to school consistently. As they get older, these people may feel insecure about never graduating.

Getting a fake diploma may help them feel more comfortable around people since they can use it to claim they went to high school. Since it isn't used in an official capacity, using a fake diploma this way is totally legal. Yet, it may be better to simply go back for a GED instead.

For Legally Dubious Reasons

Sometimes, people get aggravated with the fact that they need a high school diploma to do things in life. Without one, they will have a hard time finding decent jobs or may face ridicule from friends and family. When people are fed up like that, they may be tempted to step out of the bounds of the law.

A fake diploma may be like a ticket to a better life, for these people. They may use it to convince employers they're qualified for different jobs. Even if it works though, they still face legal charges.

Employers may verify the diploma's authenticity, and when they discover it's fake, the person may be fired or worse.

Real or Fake — Diplomas Are Just Paper

Getting a fake high school diploma may seem like the perfect solution for whatever problem you may be facing. People may think they can fool others with it, and get themselves into a better position in life. Yet, it'll be built on a lie. It won't last.

Not all fake diplomas are used that way, though. Most of the time, they're used for truly honorable reasons, and that's why producing and buying them is totally legal. And if you need one now, just shop with us here. We produce some of the highest quality diplomas for whatever you may need them for.

 


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