for sure degree is required if you refer it to your application. but i don't
think you need to certify it. you just request degree as well as your
transcript from your univ. it is much cheaper than outside.
i don't think the minor inconsistency in the name matters. In fact most
documents are reviewed briefly. If your name is not so different
outstandingly just as ZHANG vs. LI. That should be OK.
E.g. I took my degree in Chinese to the Registrar. The secretaries there
cannot understand Chinese.
