How to Get a College Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate

A Transfer Certificate (TC) confirms you have formally left your previous school or college in good standing, while a Migration Certificate confirms your eligibility to move from one educational board or university to another, and most colleges require both documents at admission, particularly when moving between different boards, states or universities.

What Is a Transfer Certificate?

A Transfer Certificate is issued by the school or college you are leaving, confirming your enrollment dates, conduct, and that you have no pending dues or disciplinary issues. It is typically required by any new educational institution you join, whether moving from school to college or switching colleges mid-course.

What Is a Migration Certificate?

A Migration Certificate is issued by the board or university you previously studied under, certifying that you are eligible to migrate, or transfer, to a different board or university for further studies. It is distinct from a Transfer Certificate and is particularly relevant when moving between different state boards, CBSE to a state board or vice versa, or between universities for higher education.

How Do TC and Migration Certificate Differ?

How Do You Obtain a Transfer Certificate?

• Submit a formal application to your current school or college's administrative office requesting the TC
• Clear all pending dues, including library fines, hostel fees or any other outstanding payments
• Return any institutional property, such as library books or ID cards, as required
• Collect the TC once processed, which is usually completed within a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the institution

How Do You Obtain a Migration Certificate?

• Apply through your previous university or board's official portal or administrative office, since it is not issued by the individual college
• Submit required documents: final marksheet, degree certificate (if applicable), and identity proof
• Pay the specified processing fee, which varies by university or board
• Some universities offer online application and digital certificate issuance, while others require in-person submission and collection

What Happens if You Delay Obtaining These Certificates?

Many colleges set a deadline for submitting the Transfer and Migration Certificate after provisional admission, and failing to submit them within the specified window can result in the admission being cancelled or held provisionally incomplete, so it is important to initiate the application process for both documents as early as possible after your results are declared.

Explore college admission requirements and documentation checklists, compare programme-specific admission processes, and contact your previous institution's administrative office promptly after results to begin the certificate application process.