World Education Services (WES) evaluates hundreds of thousands of educational credentials every year. At their intake facilities in Toronto and New York, sorting mail without reference numbers creates severe bottlenecks.
Where must the WES reference number appear?
Your 7-digit WES Reference Number (e.g. WES Ref #: 4829104) is the primary link between your documents and your account. It must appear in three places:
- On the courier airway bill / envelope: Instruct the dispatch desk to include
Attn: Documentation - Ref #XXXXXXXin the recipient line. - On the official transcript cover letter: The registrar should write or print your reference number prominently at the top of the transmittal note.
- In the email subject line (for digital transmissions): If your university has an authorized digital arrangement with WES, the subject line must strictly follow their format:
[Institution Name] - [Student Name] - WES Ref #XXXXXXX.
What happens if the reference number is missing?
If a transcript arrives without a recognizable reference number, it is sent to the "unmatched holding archive." Staff must perform manual database searches to match names and dates of birth, which can delay your file by 3 to 6 weeks.
How to resolve an unmatched document
If your institution has confirmed delivery via DHL or FedEx tracking but WES does not update your status after 7 business days, submit an inquiry ticket through the WES Contact Us form with your courier tracking number, delivery timestamp, and proof of postage.