Certificate Format

Character Certificate Format for Job, Education and Official Use

Use this editable specimen when an employer, educational institution, department or other authority asks for a character certificate from a competent person or officer.

Before using this format: there is no single universal character-certificate format for every purpose in India. The receiving department, university, employer or State/UT authority may prescribe its own form, eligible issuing authority, minimum period of acquaintance, official seal, attestation or police-verification requirement. Always follow that prescribed format where one exists.

Editable Character Certificate Format

CHARACTER CERTIFICATE

Certified that Mr./Ms. ________________________________, son/daughter/spouse of Shri/Smt. ________________________________, residing at ____________________________________________________________, is known to me for the last ______ years ______ months.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, he/she bears a reputable character and I am not aware of any antecedent or circumstance that would render him/her unsuitable for Government employment / private employment / higher education / other stated purpose: ________________________________.

Mr./Ms. ________________________________ is not related to me.

This certificate is issued at his/her request for submission to ________________________________ for the purpose of ________________________________.

Place: ____________________

Date: _____________________

Signature: ____________________

Name: ________________________

Designation: _________________

Department/Office: ___________

Official Seal, if required

How to Use the Character Certificate

Fill in the candidate's name, parent/spouse name, address if required, period for which the issuer has known the candidate, and the exact purpose for which the certificate is being issued. The issuer should add his or her name, designation, signature and official seal whenever the receiving authority requires them.

Who can issue a character certificate?

The acceptable issuer depends on the purpose and the rules of the receiving authority. Some government recruitment formats specifically require a Gazetted Officer or another prescribed public authority who has known the candidate for a stated period. Other organisations may accept a certificate issued by a school or college head, employer, public officer or another competent person. Do not assume that every authority accepts the same issuer.

Character certificate and police clearance are different

A general character certificate from an officer or other competent person should not be presented as a police-issued character verification or Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). Where police verification or a PCC is specifically required, use the service prescribed by the relevant State/UT police authority or the Passport Seva system, as applicable.

Practical drafting note: remove alternatives that do not apply. If the receiving authority provides its own prescribed wording, annexure or declaration, use that form instead of changing its language.

Official References and Services

National Government Services Portal - Character Certificate service example National Portal of India - Character Verification Certificate service District Magistrate South Delhi - Character Certificate requirements Passport Seva - Apply for Police Clearance Certificate

This specimen is intended as a general drafting aid. Eligibility of the issuer, attestation, police verification, supporting documents and validity period are determined by the authority asking for the certificate.