Transfer Certificate (TC) — How to Get from School or College in India

What is a Transfer Certificate (TC)?

A Transfer Certificate (TC) is an official document issued by a school or college when a student leaves the institution. It certifies that the student was enrolled at the institution, confirms their attendance and conduct record, and formally releases them to join another institution.

A TC typically contains:

• Student's full name, date of birth, and parent/guardian details
• Admission number and class/course studied
• Date of admission and date of leaving
• Reason for leaving (transfer, completion, withdrawal)
• Conduct and character remarks
• Whether the student has paid all dues
• Signature and seal of the principal/head of institution

A TC is sometimes also called a School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in some states. While the names differ, the purpose is the same.

Related: If you're also changing cities or states, you may need a Migration Certificate along with your TC.

When Do You Need a Transfer Certificate?

You need a TC in the following situations:

• Changing schools — moving to a different school within the same city or to another city/state
• Joining college after 10th or 12th — most colleges require TC from the previous school
• Transferring between colleges — switching from one college/university to another
• Applying for government jobs — some recruitment processes require TC as proof of education
• Higher education abroad — TC may be needed for attestation and visa purposes
• Record verification — future employers or institutions may request TC for background checks

Important: Without a valid TC, admission to a new institution is generally not possible in India. It is a mandatory document for enrolment.

Documents Required to Get a TC

The exact requirements vary by institution, but typically you need:

For School TC

• Application letter addressed to the Principal requesting TC
• Student's ID card (school identity card)
• Fee clearance receipt or no-dues certificate
• Library clearance (return of all borrowed books)
• Report card / marksheet of the last examination (for reference)
• Parent/guardian ID proof (Aadhaar, voter ID, etc.)

For College TC

• Application letter addressed to the Principal/Registrar
• College ID card
• No-dues certificate from library, hostel, accounts, and department
• Proof of admission to new institution (some colleges require this before issuing TC)
• Original fee receipts
• Marksheets of semesters/years completed
• Provisional certificate (if applicable)

Step-by-Step Process to Get a TC

From a School

1. Write an application — Address it to the Principal, mentioning your child's name, class, section, admission number, and reason for requesting the TC.
2. Get fee clearance — Pay all pending fees including tuition, transport, and any other dues. Obtain a no-dues certificate from the accounts section.
3. Complete library clearance — Return all library books and get a clearance slip.
4. Submit the application — Submit the application along with clearance documents to the school office.
5. Collect the TC — The school will process the application and issue the TC. Verify all details (name, date of birth, class, dates) carefully before accepting it.

Tip: Some schools now allow you to apply online through their school management portal. Check with your school office.

From a College

1. Obtain no-dues certificates — Get clearance from the library, hostel (if applicable), laboratory, department, and accounts section.
2. Write an application — Address it to the Principal or Registrar with your name, roll number, course, year of study, and reason for leaving.
3. Attach supporting documents — Include no-dues certificates, ID card copy, and proof of new admission (if required by the college).
4. Submit at the administrative office — Submit everything at the college's examination or administrative office.
5. Pay the TC fee — Some colleges charge a nominal fee for issuing the TC (₹100–₹500 typically).
6. Collect the TC — After processing, collect the TC from the office. Verify all details on the certificate.

Note: University-affiliated colleges may require an additional step — applying to the university for a Migration Certificate if you're joining an institution under a different university.

What If the School or College Is Closed?

If your former institution has shut down, getting a TC can be challenging but is still possible:

For Schools

• Contact the District Education Officer (DEO) or Block Education Officer (BEO) of the area where the school was located. They maintain records of closed schools and can issue a duplicate TC or an equivalent certificate.
• State Education Board — For board-affiliated schools (CBSE, ICSE, state boards), contact the respective board. CBSE schools, for instance, send their records to the regional CBSE office upon closure.
• File an RTI application — If records are hard to obtain, you can file an RTI (Right to Information) request with the education department to locate your records.

For Colleges

• Contact the affiliating university — Universities maintain records of students even after a college closes. Approach the university's examination or student records section.
• Directorate of Higher Education — The state's Directorate of Higher/Technical Education can help trace records and issue equivalent documents.
• Legal route — In extreme cases, you may approach a court to direct the education department to issue the certificate based on available records.

Keep copies: Always keep photocopies and scanned copies of all educational certificates. This is crucial if original records become unavailable.

Fees for Transfer Certificate

Note: Fees vary by state and institution. Some institutions include TC fees in the annual school/college fees. No institution can deny issuing a TC for non-payment of fees — this is against the Right to Education Act for school students (up to Class 8). However, they may withhold it for other valid reasons as per their policies.

Processing Time

• Schools: 3 to 7 working days from the date of application. Some schools issue it within 1–2 days.
• Colleges: 7 to 15 working days, as it involves multiple department clearances.
• Duplicate TC: 15 to 30 days, as it requires verification of old records.
• From closed institutions (via DEO/university): 30 to 60 days depending on record availability.

Tip: Apply for your TC well in advance — ideally 2–4 weeks before you need it for admission to a new institution.

Important Tips

• Verify every detail on the TC — name spelling, date of birth, father's/mother's name, dates of admission and leaving, and class. Even a small error can cause problems during future admissions or verifications.
• Get the TC attested if you're moving to another state or applying for higher education abroad. Attestation from the education department or the board adds authenticity.
• Keep multiple photocopies and a scanned digital copy of the TC. The original may be submitted to the new institution.
• Don't delay — apply for TC as soon as you decide to leave. Some institutions take time, and delays can affect admission timelines.
• TC cannot be denied for students up to Class 8 under the RTE Act, even if fees are pending.
• Apply for a Migration Certificate simultaneously if you're changing boards or universities. Read our Migration Certificate guide for the full process.
• For CBSE/ICSE schools, the TC format is standardised. Ensure your school uses the correct format as prescribed by the board.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a Transfer Certificate the same as a School Leaving Certificate?

In most states, yes — TC and School Leaving Certificate (SLC) refer to the same document. Some states like Maharashtra use the term "Leaving Certificate (LC)" instead. The purpose and content are identical regardless of the name.

Can I get admission without a TC?

Generally, no. A TC is mandatory for admission in most schools and colleges in India. However, some institutions may grant provisional admission while you arrange for your TC, especially if there are genuine delays.

How do I get a duplicate TC if I lost the original?

Write an application to the Principal/Registrar of the institution that issued the original TC. Attach a copy of your FIR or a self-declaration stating the loss. You may also need to publish a notice in a local newspaper (some institutions require this). A duplicate TC is typically issued within 15–30 days with a "Duplicate" stamp on it.

Can a school refuse to issue a TC?

A school cannot indefinitely withhold a TC. Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, schools cannot deny TC to students of Classes 1–8 for non-payment of fees. For higher classes, schools may withhold TC until dues are cleared, but they must issue it within a reasonable time once dues are paid. If a school unreasonably refuses, you can complain to the District Education Officer.

Is TC required for government job applications?

Some government job recruitments and verification processes require a TC as part of document verification. It is especially relevant for verifying your date of birth, educational continuity, and conduct record. Always keep your TC safely preserved even after completing your education.

Do I need a TC if I'm only changing sections or streams within the same school?

No. A TC is only needed when you are leaving the institution entirely. Internal transfers (like changing from Science to Commerce stream, or moving to a different section) are handled internally by the school and do not require a TC.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only. Rules and processes may vary by state, board (CBSE, ICSE, state boards), and individual institutions. Always confirm the exact requirements with your specific school, college, or the relevant education authority. CitizenNest does not guarantee the accuracy of fee amounts or processing times, as these change periodically.