Short answer: for school or college, the certificate comes from the head of your previous institution. For employment, employers usually want police verification, and government jobs may also want a gazetted officer’s certificate. For tenders, follow the tender document — usually police verification or a certificate in the tender’s format.
The same phrase — “character certificate” — means different things to a school, an employer and a tender committee. Here’s what each one expects and how to get it.
Character certificate for school admission
When a student moves school, the new school asks for a character certificate from the previous one. It’s usually issued along with the transfer certificate (TC) and signed by the principal. Ask the school office; most issue it within a few days.
Character certificate for college admission
Colleges ask for a character certificate from the school or college you last attended. If you’ve had a gap after school, the college may also ask for a gap year affidavit. If your previous institution has closed, ask the college whether a gazetted officer’s certificate will do.
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Character certificate for employment
- Private jobs: employers usually ask for police character or employee verification through your state police portal.
- Government jobs: forms often include a character certificate to be signed by one or two gazetted officers, plus police verification done by the department.
- Jobs abroad: a Police Clearance Certificate from Passport Seva, often attested for the destination country.
Character certificate for tenders
Government and PSU tenders sometimes ask the bidder — or the firm’s proprietor or partners — for a character or antecedent certificate. Read the tender document carefully: it usually names the issuing authority (often the police) and may include a format. Tender deadlines are tight, so start early; police verification can take a couple of weeks.
Tips to avoid delays
- Make sure your name matches across Aadhaar, marksheets and the form.
- Use your current address — police verify where you live.
- Keep copies of everything you submit online.
- Start early for tenders and government jobs.
For the full list of routes, see how to get a character certificate, or the local steps in our Delhi & Noida guide.
Not sure which attestation your form needs? Send a photo of it on WhatsApp or call +91 93109 70010 — we tell you the exact process before you spend any money.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues a character certificate for school?
The principal of the previous school, usually with the transfer certificate.
Which character certificate is needed for a government job?
Often a certificate signed by gazetted officers in the given format, plus police verification by the department.
Who issues a character certificate for a tender?
Check the tender document — it usually names the authority, often the police.
Can I get a character certificate if my college has closed?
Ask the institution or employer whether a gazetted officer’s certificate or police verification is acceptable instead.
SK Document Centre has helped people in Delhi NCR with attestation, affidavits, apostille and embassy legalisation for over a decade. Questions about your documents? WhatsApp us.
