What is Migration Certificate & Why is it Required?

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The Migration certificate is one of the most important documents required by students who wish to pursue higher education in a different college or university in India or abroad.

Although it is not the only document required, it is one of the most important documents for many reasons. A migration certificate serves as proof of the academic history of the applicant facilitating a smooth transition between the old and new institutions.

In this blog, we will dive deep into what is migration certificate, Why need this, Processes, its uses, applications, and more

Read More: Important Documents in India

What is a Migration Certificate?

The Indian education system is one of the most well-known educational hubs globally with four main boards facilitating school education – ICSE, CBSE, IB, and various state boards. 

Once a student has cleared school education (10+2), they require a set of documents from their school to secure admission to a college or university for pursuing further education. One such document is the migration certificate.

It is an important document because it certifies that the student applying for the migration certificate has actually completed their education successfully in the previous institution and is now eligible to transfer to a different institution to continue their studies. 

A migration certificate is needed not only after completion of high school but it is required after every degree or course is completed. For example, once you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you will need a migration certificate if you want to pursue a master’s degree in a different college or university. 

University Migration Certificate

Migration certificates are most commonly needed after class 10 exams to switch education boards or after class 12 exams to pursue higher education. One more case is – a university migration certificate.

It is required to be issued by the institution to allow the student to continue their higher education. DU migration certificate is a popular example of a university migration certificate.

Students can easily obtain a DU migration certificate by applying online, submitting the documents, and paying the prescribed fee.

Difference between a Migration and Transfer Certificate

An important aspect of understanding migration certificates is to understand the difference between a migration and a transfer certificate. Both terms are largely used interchangeably, however, there are stark differences between the two. 

  • Migration Certificate – A migration certificate is only offered once the candidate has completed their education and is ready to move to a different educational institution.
  • Transfer Certificate – The transfer certificate on the other hand is issued by the school or institution allowing the candidate to move to a different school mostly within the same board or state. 

Why a Migration Certificate is Required?

The migration certificate is an important document for all students looking to continue their education whether in India or abroad. Listed below are some of the most important reasons to get a migration certificate;

  • The important function of a migration certificate is to help the candidate secure admission to a higher education institution. The migration certificate is generally accompanied by other documents indicating the
  • A migration certificate is also needed to prove that you have completed the most recent qualifying examination making you eligible for admission in a different institution. 
  • If you are moving from one state to another and you need a migration certificate to secure admission to a new school. 
  • A migration certificate is also used to prove that the candidate’s previous organization has no objection to the candidate joining another institution for higher education.  

How to Apply for a Migration Certificate?

The steps involved in the process of applying for a migration certificate may differ depending on your education. For example, CBSE students need to fill out the online application form and pay the required fee to obtain the certificate.

Similarly, ICSE students can collect their migration certificates from their respective schools as the Council sends them in bulk to the schools after receiving the payment. 

The general steps that need to be followed are as follows; 

  1. Reach Out to Your Previous Institution – The first step is to contact the responsible departments in your previous institution. In some cases, you may need to submit a formal application requesting the migration certificate. 
  2. Fill Out the Form – Irrespective of the organization, you will need to fill out a form containing all the important information regarding your educational background. 
  3. Submit the Documentation – You will have to submit certain supporting documents such as the mark sheets, degree certificates, NOC, etc along with the application. 
  4. Pay the Fee – All boards and Universities require students to pay a nominal fee. 
  5. Wait for Processing – Once paid, you will be provided with a migration certificate. Some institutions may have a longer processing time than others. 

How to apply migration certificate online?

  • Access the official website of your educational board or University 
  • Upload scanned copies of documents such as the photograph, signature, provisional degree or mark sheets
  • Pay the required fees and apply finally. 
  • Wait for the processing of the application, in most cases, you will get your migration certificate within 2 days. 

Steps to Obtain Offline Migration Certificate 

  1. Reach Out to Your Previous Institution – The first step is to contact the responsible departments in your previous institution. In some cases, you may need to submit a formal application requesting the migration certificate. 
  2. Fill Out the Form – Irrespective of the organization, you will need to fill out a form containing all the important information regarding your educational background. 
  3. Submit the Documentation – You will have to submit certain supporting documents such as the mark sheets, degree certificates, NOC, etc along with the application. 
  4. Pay the Fee – All boards and Universities require students to pay a nominal fee. 
  5. Wait for Processing – Once paid, you will be provided with a migration certificate. Some institutions may have a longer processing time than others. 

How to Get a Migration Certificate from CBSE?

The students can obtain a CBSE migration certificate from Digilocker soon after the result is issued. It is important to note that the CBSE board has mentioned in an official statement that students have to apply personally to the board for a hard copy of the certificate. 

What is the Migration certificate for class 10?

It is an important document that indicates that the student was a bona fide student of the issuing institution. A migration certificate for class 10 is required when the student changes the education board after the class 10 exams.

Format of the Application for Migration Certificate

R4/20, Skyline Apartments

Lajpat Nagar

New Delhi – 110024

Date: July 3, 2024

To,  

The Principal,  

St. Mary’s School  

100 Feet Road

New Delhi – 110003

Subject: Application for Migration Certificate 

Respected Madam,

I am writing this application to request the issuance of my Migration Certificate. I,” Your Name ”, have completed my Class XII from St. Mary’s School in the academic year 2023-24.

I need the Migration Certificate to pursue further studies at Delhi University, where it is a mandatory requirement for admission.

Below are my details for your reference:

Full Name: ” Your Name ”

Date of Birth: 01/01/2006

Class: Class XII (Science)

Roll Number/Registration Number: 12345678

Year of Passing: 2024

I have attached a photocopy of my mark sheet, transfer certificate, and identity proof for your perusal. I would be grateful if you could expedite the process and issue my Migration Certificate at the earliest.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. 

Yours sincerely,

Signature 

Your Name

8888555666

test.name@gmail.com

Migration Certificate Sample

sample migration certificate (1)

Mandatory Documents for Migration Certificate 

As mentioned above, candidates need to submit certain supporting documents alongside the application form to acquire the migration certificate quickly. The documents required are subjective and may change from institution to institution. 

Here is a general list of the required supporting documents; 

  • The application form – All institutions have their personalized application form. You need to submit the form after filling out the correct information.
  • Copies of mark sheets – Submitting copies of mark sheets or transcripts is important to prove the successful completion of the previous course. 
  • Admit card copy of the most recent qualifying exam – Similar to mark sheets, some institutions may need you to submit the admit card to verify your credentials. 
  • Provisional degree certificate (if applicable and issued) – As a part of the documents needed to verify your academic credentials, some institutions need their students to submit their provisional degree certificate if applicable. 
  • Identity Proof – You will need to submit a valid proof of identity such as an Adhaar Card, PAN Card, etc to avoid any discrepancies.
  • NOC from the accounts department – This document helps prove that you have cleared all your dues and are not a defaulter. 
  • Proof of the residential address – Your institution may need proof of your present address to ensure accurate delivery of the migration certificate.
  • Fee Receipt – It is important to show that you have made the necessary payment for the migration certificate. 

Some institutions may need even more documents than mentioned and some may not even ask for all the mentioned documents. So, depending on the institution submit the complete and correct documents. 

Downloading CBSE Migration Certificate From DigiLocker

In today’s digital India, students can obtain their CBSE migration certificate simply from DigiLocker. Here’s how to get a migration certificate from Digilocker easily. 

  • Download the official app or visit the website at digilocker.gov.in 
  • Log in using the officially registered number. You will receive a message with the OTP for logging in 
  • You can use either the number you gave at the time of CBSE registration or you can access your documents by using the Adhaar registered number. 
  • Once logged in, students will need to provide a “security pin”. You can use the last 6 digits of your CBSE 10th Admit card and the same is for CBSE 12th. 
  • After entering the security pin you can easily download the CBSE migration certificate and use the digital copy for all purposes. 

Read This – Address Proof Documents List

Frequently Asked  Questions

How long is a migration certificate valid?

The validity of a migration certificate depends on the issuing authority and the new institution. Generally, the validity ranges from anywhere between six months to one year. 

Who issues the migration certificate?

The migration certificates are issued by boards such as CBSE, ICSE, IB, and state boards. In the case of higher education, the migration certificate is issued by the concerned Universities. 

Is a migration certificate mandatory?

With the migration certificate, a candidate can obtain admission to an institution. So, yes, a migration certificate is a mandatory requirement for school and college admissions. 

What should I do if the details on my migration certificate are incorrect?

For correction of any incorrect detail on a migration certificate, you should contact the responsible issuing authorities and bring the discrepancy to their attention. 

Do I need a Migration Certificate for international studies?

The majority of foreign universities require a migration certificate as part of the documents required for securing admission. So, yes, you need a migration certificate for international studies. 

Can I apply for a Migration Certificate online?

Yes, numerous institutions and exam boards offer the option to apply for a Migration Certificate online through their official website.

How much time it takes to get a migration certificate?

The time taken to issue a migration certificate completely depends on the education board. For example, the CBSE board provides fast-delivery service across India, and using this you can get a migration certificate in 2 days. You can also instantly download the certificate online. Whereas some universities and institutions may take over 15 days to issue the certificate.

Is Migration certificate and leaving certificate same?

No, they are not the same thing. A leaving certificate is issued by a school/institution marking the end of a student’s journey at that particular institute. Whereas, a migration certificate is issued by the education board allowing the student to change their education board and continue their studies.

What happens if I lose my Migration Certificate?

If you lose your Migration Certificate, you will need to apply for a duplicate certificate from the issuing institution, often by providing an affidavit and paying an additional fee.

Is a Migration Certificate and a Transfer Certificate the same?

No, they are two completely different documents. A Migration Certificate is issued by a university or education board to transfer to a different university, while a Transfer Certificate is used for school transfers mostly within the same University or education board.