How to Get Migration Certificate Online — University & Board Process

What is a Migration Certificate?

A migration certificate is an official document issued by a university, board, or educational institution that permits a student to transfer from one university or board to another. It serves as a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your previous institution, confirming that you have cleared all dues and are free to seek admission elsewhere.

Without a migration certificate, most universities and boards will not grant admission to students coming from a different institution or state.

Migration certificates are commonly required when:

• Changing university — transferring from one university to another within the same state or across states
• Changing board — moving from a CBSE school to a state board school, or vice versa
• Higher education — joining a new university for postgraduate or professional courses
• Moving to another state — seeking admission in an institution affiliated to a different university
• Studying abroad — foreign universities may request it as part of document verification

Migration Certificate vs Transfer Certificate

Many students confuse these two documents. Here is the key difference:

In short, a transfer certificate moves you between institutions under the same board, while a migration certificate moves you across boards or universities. For college admissions after Class 12, you typically need both documents.

For related document processes, see our guide on bonafide certificate applications.

How to Apply for Migration Certificate Online

The process varies depending on whether your certificate is issued by a university, CBSE, or a state board. Here is the general process for each.

From a University

Most universities now offer online portals for migration certificate applications:

1. Visit your university's official website and navigate to the examination or student services section
2. Log in to the student portal using your enrollment number or registration ID
3. Select "Migration Certificate" from the available services or certificate requests
4. Fill in the application form with your personal details, course information, and passing year
5. Upload required documents — marksheet, ID proof, passport-size photo, and fee receipt
6. Pay the application fee online via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card
7. Submit the application and note down the reference number for tracking
8. Track status through the portal — most universities provide SMS or email updates

Many universities also dispatch the migration certificate by registered post or allow you to collect it from the examination branch.

From CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)

CBSE issues migration certificates for students who passed Class 10 or Class 12 and wish to join an institution affiliated to a different board or university.

1. Visit the CBSE official website at cbse.gov.in
2. Go to the "Migration Certificate" section under student services
3. Submit an online application with your roll number, year of passing, and school details
4. Pay the prescribed fee online
5. Download or receive the certificate once processed

CBSE also makes migration certificates available through DigiLocker, allowing you to access a verified digital copy linked to your Aadhaar.

Check your CBSE board results status before applying, as results must be declared first.

From State Boards

Each state board has its own process. Generally:

1. Visit the state board's official website (e.g., UP Board, Maharashtra Board, Bihar Board)
2. Locate the migration certificate section — some states process this through e-District portals
3. Fill in the online application with your examination details
4. Upload supporting documents and pay the fee
5. Track and collect — some boards issue certificates online, while others require in-person collection from the regional office

States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have moved migration certificate issuance online through their respective board or e-governance portals.

Documents Required for Migration Certificate

Keep these documents ready before applying:

• Original marksheet (Class 10, Class 12, or degree — as applicable)
• Photocopy of admit card or hall ticket
• Transfer certificate from the last institution attended
• Passport-size photographs (2–4 copies)
• Aadhaar card or other government-issued ID proof
• Fee payment receipt (if fees were paid separately)
• Affidavit (for duplicate certificate, if original is lost)
• Application form — duly filled and signed

Some universities may also ask for a No Dues Certificate confirming all library, hostel, and tuition fees have been cleared.

Fees and Processing Time

CBSE typically charges around ₹200–₹350 for a migration certificate. University fees vary widely — central universities tend to charge less than private universities.

How to Get a Duplicate Migration Certificate

If your original migration certificate is lost, damaged, or stolen, you can apply for a duplicate:

1. File an FIR or obtain a police complaint receipt for the lost certificate
2. Publish a notice in a local newspaper declaring the loss (some institutions require this)
3. Obtain a notarised affidavit on stamp paper stating the loss and the circumstances
4. Apply to the issuing institution with the FIR copy, affidavit, newspaper clipping, and a fresh application form
5. Pay the duplicate issuance fee — this is usually higher than the original fee
6. Collect the duplicate certificate after verification and processing

The duplicate certificate is typically stamped as "DUPLICATE" to distinguish it from the original.

Apostille and Attestation for Abroad

If you are moving abroad for higher education or employment, your migration certificate may need to be apostilled or attested:

• Apostille — for countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Done through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or authorised agencies
• Attestation — for non-Hague countries, the document must be attested by the MEA and then by the respective embassy

Steps for apostille:

1. Get the migration certificate notarised by a notary public
2. Get it attested by the state Home Department or SDM
3. Submit to the MEA for apostille — this can be done online through the MEA portal or via authorised agencies
4. The apostille sticker is affixed to the document, making it valid internationally

If you need a domicile certificate for state-level admissions, that is a separate process from migration.

Tips for a Smooth Application

• Apply early — do not wait until the last moment before admission deadlines
• Keep photocopies of all documents submitted, including the application form
• Save the receipt and tracking number for follow-up
• Check DigiLocker — CBSE and some state boards upload migration certificates to DigiLocker, saving you time
• Verify details on the certificate immediately after receiving it — name spelling, date of birth, and roll number errors are common and harder to fix later
• Contact the examination branch directly if your application is delayed beyond the stated timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a migration certificate and a transfer certificate?

A transfer certificate (TC) is issued by a school or college for transfers within the same board. A migration certificate is issued by the university or board itself and is needed when changing boards or universities. For university admissions after Class 12, you usually need both.

Can I get my migration certificate online?

Yes. CBSE, most central and state universities, and several state boards now offer online application and issuance of migration certificates through their official portals. CBSE certificates are also available via DigiLocker.

How long does it take to get a migration certificate?

Processing typically takes 7 to 30 working days depending on the institution. Some universities offer tatkal or express processing for an additional fee, delivering within 3–7 days.

What if I lost my original migration certificate?

You can apply for a duplicate by submitting an FIR copy, a notarised affidavit, a newspaper notice of loss, and a fresh application with the duplicate fee to the issuing institution.

Is a migration certificate required for studying abroad?

Many foreign universities require a migration certificate as part of document verification. Additionally, it may need to be apostilled or attested through the MEA for international validity.

Can I get admission without a migration certificate?

Most universities will not finalise admission without a migration certificate if you are coming from a different board or university. Some may offer provisional admission with a deadline to submit the certificate later.

Is there a validity period for a migration certificate?

Migration certificates generally do not have a fixed expiry date. However, some universities may ask for a recently issued certificate (within 1–2 years) for fresh admissions. Check with the admitting institution.