Why do I need to provide all the requested details about my company?
To use the Clearinghouse’s Verification Services on behalf of a company, we must credential you and your company to ensure that:
- Your company is registered to do business in your state or country, and
- You are using the education records provided through our services, and underlying personal data therein, for a permissible purpose under our terms and conditions, as well as applicable statutes and regulations.
Why was I informed that my company does not exist?
The Clearinghouse’s credentialing process checks to ensure that your company is currently active, as registered in your state or country of incorporation. Therefore, you must provide your company’s registered name, not a DBA (doing business as) name. For example, if your store is called “Mary’s Café,” but your company is registered in your state or country as MaryCorp, LLC, we need you to provide your company’s registered name of MaryCorp, LLC.
Because I am not using Verification Services for my company, I cannot provide a company name, can I still use the service?
If you are an individual using our Verification Services as a student or alumnus, and not in your capacity as an employee for a company, you can select I’m submitting a verification request for myself during registration. However, if you do so, you cannot use Verification Services to verify another individual’s education credentials.
What is an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID, and why is it required?
An EIN is a federal tax ID number for businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and other entities. It is a nine-digit number that the IRS assigns using the following 9-digit format: XX-XXXXXXX. In some cases, the EIN may include an alphabetical character (for example, P) or the plan number (e.g., 003) may follow the EIN, which should not be included. You should only enter the 9-digit number.
The Clearinghouse requires this identifier to ensure your company is legitimate, which falls within our permissible purpose rules for conducting education verification requests on behalf of students and alumni.
How can I obtain my company’s EIN?
You can usually check with your HR department to obtain your company’s EIN/Tax ID, OR
If your company is publicly traded, you can search for the EIN/Tax ID on the SEC’s website.
What should I enter as my company’s country of incorporation?
Enter the country under whose laws your company is legally registered.
What should I enter as my company’s state of incorporation?
Enter the state or territory under whose laws your company is legally registered.
What should I enter as my company website?
Enter your company’s primary website address or URL. If your company does not have a website, you should indicate it on the form.
What should I enter as my company’s main phone number?
Enter the primary phone number associated with your company or another phone number belonging to your company.
What should I enter as my work email address?
Enter your business email address associated with your company. Do not enter a personal email address (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) unless your company utilizes it for official company business.
What if I provided incorrect information about my company or my company’s information has changed?
If we cannot verify the information you originally provided, our team will contact you. At that time, you can update your company information.
What happens if I cannot provide the requested company information?
Unfortunately, you will be unable to use our Verification Services if you cannot provide the details about your company that are required for us to permit verifications.
I work as an attorney or other legal professional and am seeking the education records of an individual(s) for litigation purposes. Can I use Verification Services to obtain this information?
No. If you are seeking education records, and the underlying data therein, from the Clearinghouse for litigation purposes, you must submit a document request, validly issued subpoena, or valid court order to the Clearinghouse’s Chief Legal Officer at legal@studentclearinghouse.org.
I am a member of the media seeking education records regarding the subject of a forthcoming article, publication, or broadcast. Can I use Verification Services to obtain education records?
No. This is not a permissible purpose for using Verification Services. If you are a member of the media who is seeking education records, please contact the institution’s media relations office so that they can handle the inquiry directly.
I am a private investigator seeking education records regarding the subject of an investigation on behalf of a client. Can I use Verification Services to obtain these education records?
No. This is not a permissible purpose for using Verification Services. If you are a private investigator who is seeking education records, please contact the institution so they can handle the inquiry directly.