How to Get Character Certificate / Good Conduct Certificate Online

What is a Character Certificate?

A character certificate (also called good conduct certificate or charitra praman patra) is an official document issued by the district administration or police department. It certifies that a person has no criminal record and is of good moral character.

This certificate is commonly required for:

• Government job applications — SSC, UPSC, Railway, Bank, State PSC
• Defence services — Indian Army, Navy, Air Force recruitment
• Higher education — College and university admissions
• Competitive exams — Document verification stage
• Visa and passport — Some countries require it for immigration
• Private sector jobs — Companies that do background verification

Note: Character certificate is different from a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). PCC is issued by Passport Office for international purposes, while character certificate is issued by local police or district administration for domestic use.

Character Certificate vs Police Clearance Certificate

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready before applying:

1. Aadhaar Card — for identity and address proof
2. Passport-size photograph — recent, white background
3. Address proof — Aadhaar, Voter ID, Ration Card, or Electricity Bill
4. Identity proof — Aadhaar, PAN Card, or Voter ID
5. Application form — filled online on the state portal
6. Self-declaration — stating no criminal record (some states require this)
7. Mobile number — linked with Aadhaar for OTP verification

How to Apply Online — State-Wise Process

Uttar Pradesh (UP) — e-District Portal

Portal: edistrict.up.gov.in

Steps:

1. Go to edistrict.up.gov.in and register/login with your mobile number
2. Click on "सेवाएं" (Services) → Select "चरित्र प्रमाण पत्र" (Character Certificate)
3. Fill the application form with personal details — name, father's name, address, Aadhaar number
4. Upload required documents — photo, Aadhaar, address proof
5. Pay the fee online (₹10 – ₹15) via net banking, UPI, or debit card
6. Note down the application number for tracking
7. After police verification, certificate is issued digitally

Fee: ₹10 – ₹15 | Processing Time: 7–15 days

Bihar — RTPS Service Online

Portal: serviceonline.bihar.gov.in

Steps:

1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in and register with your mobile number and email
2. Navigate to "RTPS Services" → "Home Department" → "Character Certificate"
3. Fill in the application form — personal details, address, purpose of certificate
4. Upload scanned documents — photo, ID proof, address proof
5. Submit the application — no fee for character certificate in Bihar
6. You will receive an application reference number via SMS
7. Police verification happens at your local thana (police station)

Fee: Free (₹0) | Processing Time: 7–10 days (under RTPS guarantee)

Madhya Pradesh (MP) — e-District Portal

Portal: mpedistrict.gov.in

Steps:

1. Visit mpedistrict.gov.in and create an account or login
2. Go to "Apply for Services" → Search for "Character Certificate"
3. Select your district and fill the application form
4. Upload documents — Aadhaar card, photograph, address proof
5. Pay the application fee online
6. Download the acknowledgement receipt with application number
7. Track status from the same portal

Fee: ₹20 – ₹40 | Processing Time: 7–15 days

Rajasthan — eMitra Portal

Portal: emitra.rajasthan.gov.in

Steps:

1. Go to emitra.rajasthan.gov.in and login with SSO ID (Jan Aadhaar / Aadhaar)
2. Search for "Character Certificate" in the services list
3. Fill the online application with all required details
4. Upload supporting documents
5. Pay the fee via eMitra wallet, UPI, or debit card
6. Save the application ID for future reference
7. You can also apply through any eMitra Kiosk near you

Fee: ₹20 – ₹50 | Processing Time: 7–15 days

Other States

Most states offer character certificate through their e-District portals. Some common ones:

• Delhi — edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in
• Maharashtra — aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
• Haryana — saralharyana.gov.in
• Jharkhand — jharsewa.jharkhand.gov.in
• Chhattisgarh — edistrict.cgstate.gov.in

If your state doesn't have an online portal, visit your nearest CSC (Common Service Centre) or Tehsil office to apply offline.

Police Verification Process

After you submit your online application:

1. Application forwarded — Your application is sent to the local police station (thana) of your area
2. Police visit — A constable or head constable may visit your home for physical verification
3. Neighbour inquiry — Police may ask your neighbours about your character and conduct
4. Criminal record check — Police verify if any FIR or criminal case is registered against you
5. Report submitted — Police station sends verification report to the district office
6. Certificate issued — If report is clean, the digital certificate is generated

Tip: Keep your Aadhaar address updated. If your current address doesn't match Aadhaar, police verification may get delayed.

How to Check Application Status

Online Status Check:

1. Visit the same portal where you applied
2. Go to "Track Application" or "Application Status" section
3. Enter your application number or reference number
4. The status will show — Pending / Under Verification / Approved / Rejected

Via SMS:

Some states send automatic SMS updates at each stage — application received, police verification done, certificate ready for download.

Download Certificate:

Once approved, you can download the digitally signed certificate in PDF format from the portal. This digital certificate is legally valid and accepted everywhere.

Fees Summary

Most states charge less than ₹50. If someone asks for more, they may be charging extra illegally.

Processing Time

• Normal processing: 7–15 working days
• Bihar RTPS: 7–10 days (time-bound under Right to Public Service)
• UP e-District: 7–15 days
• Through CSC/Offline: 15–30 days

Reasons for delay:

• Incorrect address on Aadhaar
• Applicant not available during police visit
• Pending criminal case (will be rejected, not delayed)
• High volume of applications in some districts

Validity of Character Certificate

• General validity: 6 months to 1 year from date of issue
• Most government job recruitments accept certificates issued within the last 6 months
• For defence recruitment, certificate should not be older than 6 months
• Some educational institutions accept certificates up to 1 year old
• Always check the specific requirement of the organisation asking for it

When is Character Certificate Required?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for character certificate online from any state?

Most states now have online portals. Check your state's e-District website. If online is not available, apply through your nearest CSC centre or Tehsil office.

How long does police verification take?

Usually 5–10 days. It can be faster in urban areas and slower in rural areas depending on the police station workload.

What if my application is rejected?

Common reasons: criminal record found, incomplete documents, wrong information. You can re-apply after correcting the issues. If rejected unfairly, approach the District Magistrate office.

Is character certificate and police verification certificate the same?

Yes, in most states they are the same thing. The local police verifies your character and the district administration issues the certificate. Don't confuse it with Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) which is for international use.

Can I use digital character certificate for government jobs?

Yes. Digitally signed certificates downloaded from e-District portals are legally valid under the IT Act. You can use the printout for document verification.

Important Tips

• Apply early — Don't wait until the last date. Police verification takes time.
• Keep Aadhaar updated — Your address on Aadhaar should match your current residence.
• Save application number — You'll need it to track status and download certificate.
• Check validity — Make sure your certificate is within the validity period required by the organisation.
• Don't pay agents — Apply online yourself or through CSC. Don't pay middlemen extra money.

Related Guides

• How to Apply for Police Clearance Certificate
• How to Apply for Government Jobs Online