The Office of the Registrar at the George Washington University maintains all academic records and issues official transcripts. It also provides certification of enrollment documents (for loan deferments, Social Security benefits, health insurance or other services) and verification of degrees earned at GW. Before 1929 the Registrar was also the admissions officer for the University. Since the fall of 1981 student records have been maintained electronically; records prior to fall 1981 are on microfilm. Instructional staff may have access to these records at the Registrar's Office.

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the disclosure of student records to unauthorized parties. Access to student information is granted only to individuals who have the student's written permission, to parents who can demonstrate that they can claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes, and in response to a valid subpoena as provided by FERPA. The Registrar's Office does, however, release directory information. According to the Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities, Section III, Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information from Student Records, directory information includes: name, local address and telephone number; name and address of next of kin; dates of attendance; school or division of enrollment; field of study; credit hours earned; degrees earned; honors received; weight, height, and age of members of athletic teams; and participation in organizations and activities chartered or otherwise established by the University, including intercollegiate athletics.

Federal law also entitles students to review their scholastic records at all levels. This includes a student's right to review letters of reference written by faculty unless this right is expressly waived. University policy prohibits faculty to require such a waiver as a condition for writing a reference.