A bonafide certificate is the letter your school or college gives to confirm you are a genuine student there. You will be asked for one when you apply for a passport, open a bank account, claim a scholarship or a railway concession, or apply for an education loan.
This guide gives you the standard bonafide certificate format for students, three ready-to-copy samples, and a sample application to request one from your principal.
Need it formatted quickly? Fill in the details in our free bonafide certificate generator and download a clean PDF, then print it on the institution's letterhead for signature.
What a bonafide certificate must include
Every office that asks for a bonafide certificate looks for the same basics:
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Letterhead | Institution name, address, affiliation (board or university) |
| Reference & date | The institution's reference number and the issue date |
| Heading | BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE |
| Student details | Full name, father's or mother's name, roll or enrolment number, date of birth |
| Course details | Class or course, branch, year of study, academic year, year of admission |
| Purpose | Why it is issued (passport, bank account, scholarship, concession) |
| Conduct line | Usually "bears a good moral character" |
| Signature | Principal / Registrar / HOD, with name, designation and seal |
If any of these is missing, the receiving office may send you back for a fresh one, so check the draft before it is signed.
Bonafide certificate format for a school student
Use this when a school student needs proof of enrolment, for example for a passport or a bank account.
[SCHOOL NAME]
[School Address, City - PIN]
Affiliated to [Board]
Ref: [Ref No.] Date: [DD Month YYYY]
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
To Whom It May Concern,
This is to certify that [Student Name], S/o or D/o [Parent's Name]
(Roll No: [Roll No.]), born on [Date of Birth], is a bonafide student
of this institution.
[First Name] is currently studying in [Class] ([Academic Year]),
having taken admission in the academic year [Year of Admission].
This certificate is being issued upon request of the student for the
purpose of [Purpose].
The student bears a good moral character and has been regular in
attendance. We wish [First Name] all the best in future endeavours.
For [School Name]
[Principal's Name]
Principal
(Seal)Bonafide certificate format for a college student
College certificates usually add the course, branch and year of study, and are often signed by the Registrar or the Head of Department.
[COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY NAME]
[Address, City - PIN]
Ref: [Ref No.] Date: [DD Month YYYY]
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
To Whom It May Concern,
This is to certify that [Student Name], S/o or D/o [Parent's Name]
(Enrolment No: [Number]), is a bonafide student of this institution.
[First Name] is currently pursuing [Course] in [Branch] ([Year of Study]),
having taken admission in the academic year [Year of Admission].
This certificate is being issued upon request of the student for the
purpose of [Scholarship Application / Education Loan / Internship].
For [College Name]
[Name]
Registrar / Head of Department
(Seal)Bonafide certificate for a passport application
The format is the same; what changes is the purpose line and how carefully the details must match your other documents. Make sure the name and date of birth are spelled exactly as on your birth certificate or Aadhaar, because a mismatch is the most common reason an application is held up.
Purpose line: "This certificate is being issued upon request of the student for the purpose of Passport Application."
Common uses
- Passport application, where the office asks for proof that you are a student.
- Opening a bank account (student or zero-balance accounts).
- Scholarship applications (central, state and private).
- Railway or bus concession passes.
- Education loan paperwork.
- Internship or training applications that ask for proof of enrolment.
- Hostel admission.
The generator has each of these as a ready-made purpose, so the purpose line is worded consistently.
How to get a bonafide certificate: sample application to the principal
Most institutions issue the certificate on a written request. Keep it short:
To,
The Principal,
[School / College Name],
[City]
Subject: Request for a bonafide certificate
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am [Your Name], a student of [Class / Course, Year], Roll No. [Number].
I need a bonafide certificate for [purpose, e.g. my passport application].
Kindly issue the certificate at the earliest. I have attached a copy of my
ID card for reference.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Class / Course, Roll No.]
[Date]Tip: if the office is busy, attach a filled draft made with the bonafide certificate generator. It saves the clerk the typing, and the details come out exactly as you need them.
Mistakes that get a bonafide certificate rejected
- Name or date of birth not matching your other ID documents.
- No seal or no signature, or a signature from someone not authorised.
- Missing academic year, so the office cannot tell whether you are a current student.
- The wrong purpose: a certificate issued "for bank account" may not be accepted for a passport.
- An old certificate: many offices want one issued recently.
Make yours in two minutes
Open the free bonafide certificate generator, enter the institution, student and course details, pick the purpose, and download the PDF. No signup is needed. Then print it on the letterhead and get it signed and stamped.
Students who also need proof for an internship can use the internship certificate generator. For a parent's employer documents (for an education loan, for example), see our guide to the salary certificate format for a bank loan.