Ensuring Academic Continuity: Understanding Migration Certificates

School is the center of primary education. It is where a child begins their educational journey. After completing school, the sky is open for a child to fly and achieve the career of their choice. For the transition from school to college, a migration certificate is an essential document in addition to proof of successfully clearing the 10+2 examinations. A student cannot gain admission to a university without this certificate. The school board simultaneously issues the migration certificates, pass certificate, and mark sheets to successful students.

What is a Migration Certificate?

Educational institutes issue a migration certificate, which requires no legal validation when a student migrates from school board to university for higher studies or from one university to another.

It is an essential document without which the student cannot pursue higher education. So, all the students passing the 12th board exams get the migration document and all the certificates and mark sheets from the affiliated board. The school can approach the council by writing an application requesting the issuance of the certificate for migration before the class 12 board exams.

Students need to apply for this certificate after the completion of their graduation so that they can apply to different universities for a higher degree. They need the certificate if they plan to study abroad.

Why is a Migration Certificate Required?

The school education boards- ICSE, CBSE, IB, and state boards or universities issue students their school migration certificates, character certificates, and mark sheets after they have completed their class 12 board exams successfully.

All students who aspire to study further after school need this certificate. Hence, in India, after a student sails through the class 12 board exams, they issue a certificate to ease the migration process along with the mark sheets and other required documents. Also, undergraduates who want to pursue higher education in a different university need this certificate.

Eligibility for Migration Certificate

To get a Migration Certificate, a student usually needs to meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of Previous Course: The student should have successfully finished the course or program at the institution they are leaving.
2. Clearance of Dues: All outstanding payments, like tuition fees, library fines, and any other pending dues, must be settled before applying for the certificate.
3. Submission of Required Documents: The student must submit important documents such as mark sheets, transfer certificates, and a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the previous institution.
4. Filling an Application Form: The student needs to complete an application form provided by the institution, where they will mention details such as the reason for migration and the name of the new institution.
5. Approval from Authorities: The application form must be approved by the institution’s authorities, such as the principal or registrar.

These steps ensure that the student has no financial or academic issues before moving to a new institutions.

Required Documents for Migration Certificates

To get a Migration Certificate, you’ll generally need to submit the following documents:

1. Application Form: Fill out the form with all required information.
2. Proof of Identity: This can be an Aadhaar card, passport, or any government-issued ID.
3. Proof of Address: Documents like utility bills, rental agreements, or any valid address proof.
4. Previous Academic Records: Include your mark sheets, provisional certificates, or the final degree certificate from the last course you completed.
5. Passport Size Photographs: Usually two or more recent photos.
6. Fee Payment Receipts: Proof that you’ve paid the fee for processing the migration certificate.

These documents make sure that both your personal and academic information is verified, allowing you to transfer smoothly to your new institution.

Fee Payment for Migration Certificates

The fee for getting a Migration Certificate can vary depending on the institution or educational board. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Standard Fee: The usual fee for a migration certificate is around Rs. 150, but this may differ based on the board or institution.
2. Payment Method: Most institutions prefer online payments, but some may accept demand drafts or bank transfers.
3. Institution-Specific Fees: For example, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) charges Rs. 500, payable by demand draft.

It’s a good idea to check with your specific institution for the exact fee and payment method.

Fee and Processing Time for Migration Certificates

The fee and processing time for getting a Migration Certificate can differ depending on the institution. Here’s a general overview:

Fee

• Standard Fee: The usual fee is around Rs. 150, but this can vary depending on the institution or board.
• Institution-Specific Fees: For example, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) charges Rs. 500, usually payable by demand draft.

Processing Time

• General Processing Time: Most institutions take around 2 to 7 days to process a migration certificate.
• Expedited Processing: Some institutions offer faster processing, reducing the time to as little as 2 days for an extra fee.

Always check with your specific institution for the exact fee and processing time.

Collection/Delivery for Migration Certificates

The process for collecting and delivering Migration Certificates can vary depending on the institution. Here are some common practices:

Collection

• In-Person Collection: Many institutions require students to pick up their migration certificates directly from the registrar’s office or a specific department. This ensures the certificate is given to the student or their authorized representative.
• Required Documents: Students usually need to show their ID and the original fee payment receipt when collecting the certificate.

Delivery

• Postal Delivery: Some institutions offer to mail the migration certificate to the student’s address, which is helpful if the student has already relocated.
• Direct Delivery to New Institution: In some cases, the institution may send the migration certificate directly to the new institution where the student is enrolling.

Tips for a Smooth Process

• Check Institution Policies: Always review your institution’s specific rules for collecting or delivering migration certificates.
• Apply Early: Submit your application well in advance to avoid delays, especially if you need it for a new admission deadline.
• Keep Copies: Make copies of all documents and receipts for your records.

Benefits of Obtaining a Migration Certificates

The 10+2 exam marks the end of school education. From here, the students determine their career path and apply to the colleges/universities of their choice.

• The migration certificate helps students to traverse from school to university. It enables the students to enroll for higher studies in professional or degree colleges.
• School boards in India issue the certificate as a mandatory certificate like all the other certificates after one passes the 10+2 examinations.
• The certificate also acts as proof of school changes on different boards or course changes. A student needs to journey from a school-level course to a university-level course and change boards if necessary.

If an individual after class 10 wants to switch from ICSE to CBSE, they need a certificate from the board to migrate. Even students from state boards who wish to enroll in schools of other boards require this certificate.

Related Read: What is a Bonafide Certificate: Format, Sample, Uses

How to get a Migration Certificate?

After the school education is over, a person gets into college to pursue an undergraduate degree. It is mandatory to produce a migration certificate at the time of admission. Therefore, in India, the school board gives students this certificate and all other certificates and mark sheets after the declaration of results.

Do You Need to Apply for a Migration Certificate?

Only exceptional cases require an application for the issuance of a migration document.

• If, after the 10th board, a student wishes to get into a diploma course, the student has to write to the council chief requesting certification for migration. This is then submitted to the school’s principal. In the application, one has to mention the reason for leaving school after class 10.
• If the certificate gets misplaced or lost, one can contact the affiliate board of the school for a duplicate copy. The student has to write an application addressing the council chief. While requesting for issuance of a duplicate certificate, one has to specifically state the reason for the need for a new copy.
• After completing the undergraduate program, a student can write an application to the concerned authority to issue a certificate for migration. The university gives them the same by charging a nominal fee for it.

Now, mark sheets and migration, pass, transfer, and conduct certificates can be downloaded into individuals’ DigiLockers.

Is Transfer Certificates and Migration Certificates the Same?

No, Transfer Certificates and Migration Certificates are not the same, although they serve similar purposes in the context of educational institutions. Here’s a brief overview of each:

Transfer Certificate (TC)

• Purpose: A Transfer Certificate is issued by a school or college to a student leaving the institution to join another one.
• Content: It usually includes details such as the student’s name, date of birth, admission number, class in which the student was last enrolled, and the reason for leaving the institution.
• Usage: It is typically required when a student transfers from one school to another within the same educational board or region.

Migration Certificate

• Purpose: A Migration Certificate is issued by a university or board to a student leaving the educational institution to join another institution under a different board or university.
• Content: It includes the student’s details, the completed course or program, and a statement that the student can migrate to another institution.
• Usage: It is often required when a student is moving from one university to another or from one board to another, especially when the institutions belong to different educational boards or systems.

Difference Between Migration Certificate And Transfer Certificate

Feature	Transfer Certificate (TC)	Migration Certificate
Purpose	Transferring between institutions at the same level	Moving to a higher level of education
Issued by	Head of the institution (e.g., principal or dean)	School board or university office with official signatures
Requirement	Mandatory for admission into another institution at the same educational level	Necessary for enrolling in higher education programs or institutions in a different educational vertical
Use case	School to school, college to college	School to university, undergraduate to postgraduate

This table highlights the key differences in purpose, issuing authority, and use cases for both certificates.

Also Read: What is a Provisional Certificate and Why Do You Need it?

How to Apply for a Migration Certificate

The process for applying for certification for migration differs for different boards. But here is an elaborated basic procedure:

• The office of the Council issues the certificates to decentralize the process for smooth distribution. Council offices in every region are responsible for printing and distributing the certificates to the schools in their area.
• The school deposits a fee of around 150 rupees for each child at the council office. The fee covers the cost of processing the information, printing the certificates, and sending it by post to the respective schools.
• Certification for migration is given to students who clear the 10+2 examinations. So these are distributed only after the declaration of the results.
• While collecting the certificate, it is necessary to ensure that it also has the signature of the principal. Without the signature of the head of the institute, the certificate has no value. The certificate should also have the signature of the council head.
• The school must keep records of all the distributed certificates for future reference. The school must maintain a log book containing the serial numbers of all the certificates issued and the respective students’ roll numbers. This information will come in handy if the certificates are misplaced or there is a complaint of non-receipt of certificates by any student.
• All the certificates and mark sheets are printed on special paper, making it challenging to reproduce fake copies of these documents. For this reason, the council prints and sends it to schools for distribution to students. Fake certificates are an issue faced by every country all over the world. It is a punishable offense by law, surmounting imprisonment and penalty.

Documents Required for Migration Certificate

A certificate for migration is a must to get into another university. The certificate is given to students who have completed the course, be it 10+2 or undergraduate or higher. So the essential requirement for this certificate is to clear the final exams and complete the course.

There is no special requirement for any document. All that the student needs to show is that they have completed the course successfully. For that, students must produce their mark sheets and pass certificates in front of the concerned authority along with an application requesting them to issue the certificate for migration.

• Application Form
• Photocopies of Mark Sheets/Transcripts
• Admit Card/Hall Ticket
• Identity Proof
• Address Proof
• Passport-sized Photographs

Sample Application for Migration Certificate

The school issues the certificate after the completion of the 10+2 exams. In the eventuality of an urgent requirement for the certificate or if the need arises after class 10, an application must be written to the head of the council.

Here is a sample application for reference while writing one to request the certificate issue.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I _, a student of your reputed school. As I have successfully cleared the class.

I wish to pursue a professional course from an institute affiliated with __ university. Since I am going from _ board to a university, it is mandatory to submit my migration certificate. Moreover, I will need it to submit my application for higher education.

I request you issue me the certificate for migration as early as possible.

Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
(Name)
(Class)
(School)
(Contact Details)

Points to Remember

• A migration certificate is an important document to help you to take your first step into a college/university.
• The purpose of migration and transfer certificates are different. The former is used to change school boards or move from school to college. The latter is used to transfer from one institute to another.
• The certificate is issued after the completion of 10+2. It is also needed after the completion of an undergraduate program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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