How to Get Bonafide Certificate Online — School, College & Employment
Step-by-step guide to get bonafide certificate online from school, college, university or employer. Documents required, format, fees, and application process.
What is a Bonafide Certificate?
A bonafide certificate is an official document that confirms a person's association with an institution or organisation. It certifies that a student is genuinely enrolled in a school, college, or university — or that an employee is currently working with a particular employer.
The word "bonafide" comes from Latin, meaning "in good faith" or "genuine." This certificate acts as proof of your legitimate connection to an institution.
Bonafide certificates are commonly required for:
- College and university admissions — especially for out-of-state applicants
- Scholarship applications — government and private scholarships
- Education loan — banks require it as proof of enrolment
- Passport application — as address or identity support document
- Visa processing — embassy may ask for proof of student/employment status
- Railway and bus concession — student travel concessions
- Hostel admission — proof of enrolment for allotment
- Transfer between institutions — school or college transfer
- Employment verification — background checks by new employers
Types of Bonafide Certificates
1. School Bonafide Certificate
Issued by the school principal for students currently enrolled in the school. Used for scholarships, transfer, bus/railway concessions, and opening a bank account.
2. College / University Bonafide Certificate
Issued by the college registrar or dean's office for enrolled students. Required for education loans, hostel admission, competitive exam registration, and internship applications.
3. Employment Bonafide Certificate
Issued by the HR department or employer for current employees. Used for visa applications, bank loans, address proof, and background verification by a new employer.
How to Get Bonafide Certificate from School
Steps:
- Write an application — Address it to the school principal requesting a bonafide certificate
- Submit to school office — Hand over the application at the school admin office
- Attach documents — Include a copy of student ID card and recent photograph
- Collect the certificate — Usually issued within 1–3 working days
Tip: Many schools now accept requests through their parent portal or school management app. Check with your school office for online options.
How to Get Bonafide Certificate from College or University
Offline Method
- Visit the college admin or registrar office
- Fill the bonafide certificate application form (available at the counter or college website)
- Submit with a copy of student ID, fee receipt, and photograph
- Pay the required fee (if applicable)
- Collect the certificate within 3–7 working days
Online Method (University Portals)
Many universities now offer bonafide certificate requests through their student portals:
- Log in to the university student portal with your enrollment/registration number
- Navigate to "Certificates" or "Student Services" section
- Select "Bonafide Certificate" from the list
- Fill in the required details — purpose, semester, department
- Upload supporting documents if prompted
- Pay the fee online (₹50–₹200 depending on the university)
- Download the certificate from the portal once approved, or collect from the office
Popular university portals offering online bonafide:
- Delhi University — du.ac.in
- Mumbai University — mu.ac.in
- IGNOU — ignou.ac.in
- Anna University — annauniv.edu
DigiLocker Integration: Some universities issue bonafide certificates directly to DigiLocker, making them digitally verifiable.
How to Get Bonafide Certificate from Employer
- Write a formal request or email to the HR department stating the purpose
- HR verifies your employment details — joining date, designation, department
- The certificate is issued on company letterhead with authorised signatory
- Processing time: 1–5 working days depending on company policy
Most large companies have an HRMS (Human Resource Management System) where you can request certificates online through the employee self-service portal.
Bonafide Certificate via State e-District Portals
In some cases — especially for address proof or domicile-related bonafide — state governments issue bonafide certificates through e-District portals. This is different from the institutional bonafide and functions more as a residence bonafide certificate.
General Process (e-District):
- Visit your state's e-District portal (e.g., edistrict.up.gov.in, serviceonline.bihar.gov.in)
- Register or log in using mobile number and OTP
- Navigate to "Certificate Services" → select "Bonafide / Residence Certificate"
- Fill in the application form with personal and address details
- Upload scanned copies of required documents
- Pay the application fee online (₹10–₹50)
- Note the application/reference number for tracking
- Certificate is issued within 7–15 working days after verification
Related: A residence bonafide is closely linked to a domicile certificate. Check which one you actually need before applying.
Documents Required for Bonafide Certificate
| Document | School | College | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Request letter | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Student/Employee ID card | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Passport-size photograph | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fee receipt / Admission proof | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Aadhaar Card | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Joining letter / Offer letter | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Latest salary slip | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (sometimes) |
Bonafide Certificate Format / Sample
A standard bonafide certificate includes:
- Institution/Company name and logo on letterhead
- Certificate heading — "Bonafide Certificate" or "To Whom It May Concern"
- Student/Employee name in full
- Father's/Guardian's name
- Enrollment number / Employee ID
- Course and year (for students) or Designation and department (for employees)
- Duration of association — admission date to present or specific period
- Purpose of the certificate (if mentioned in request)
- Date of issue, stamp, and signature of authorised person (Principal, Registrar, or HR Head)
The certificate is typically issued on the official letterhead of the institution with a stamp and seal.
Fees and Processing Time
| Type | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| School bonafide | Free – ₹50 | 1–3 working days |
| College bonafide (offline) | ₹50 – ₹200 | 3–7 working days |
| College bonafide (online portal) | ₹50 – ₹200 | 1–5 working days |
| Employer bonafide | Free (internal) | 1–5 working days |
| e-District residence bonafide | ₹10 – ₹50 | 7–15 working days |
Bonafide Certificate vs Character Certificate
| Feature | Bonafide Certificate | Character Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Proves association with institution/employer | Certifies good moral character and no criminal record |
| Issued by | School, college, university, or employer | District Magistrate or police department |
| Used for | Admission, loans, concessions, visa | Government jobs, defence recruitment, exams |
| Application | Institution's admin office or portal | State e-District portal |
| Validity | Duration of association | 6 months – 1 year |
👉 Need a character certificate? Read our complete guide on character certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the validity of a bonafide certificate?
A bonafide certificate is valid as long as you are associated with the institution or employer. For students, it is valid till the course duration. For employees, it is valid during the employment period. Some organisations accept bonafide certificates issued within the last 6 months.
Can I get a bonafide certificate after leaving the institution?
No, a bonafide certificate confirms current association. If you have already left, you need a course completion certificate, experience letter, or transfer certificate instead.
Is bonafide certificate the same as domicile certificate?
No. A bonafide certificate proves your association with an institution or employer. A domicile certificate proves you are a permanent resident of a particular state. They serve different purposes.
Can I download bonafide certificate from DigiLocker?
Some universities have integrated with DigiLocker and issue digital bonafide certificates. Check your university's DigiLocker partner status at digilocker.gov.in.
How many bonafide certificates can I get?
There is no fixed limit. You can request multiple bonafide certificates from your institution as needed. Some colleges may charge a fee for each copy.
Is bonafide certificate required for passport?
It is not mandatory, but it can be used as a supporting document for address verification — especially for students applying from their college city which is different from their permanent address.
Who signs the bonafide certificate?
For schools — the Principal. For colleges — the Registrar or Dean. For employment — the HR Head or authorised signatory. The certificate must carry an official stamp and seal to be valid.