Two very different uses
A child joining a school abroad
This is the most common case. A parent takes up a job in Dubai, Riyadh or Doha, and the family follows. International and local schools there ask for the last school's TC, the latest report card, and often the birth certificate. Gulf education authorities may also check the TC before they approve the child's equivalency or grade placement.
A student moving between universities
Students who finish a degree in India and enrol abroad are sometimes asked for the college leaving certificate or the university migration certificate. These prove that the student has left the Indian institution and is free to join another one.
What makes a TC acceptable
A school TC is issued by the principal of the school, and for most schools it is countersigned or carries details of the board the school is affiliated to. Before you send it, look for:
- The school's name, address and board affiliation number
- The child's full name, date of birth and parents' names
- The last class studied and whether the child was promoted
- The date of leaving and the TC serial number
- Principal's signature and the school stamp
For schools in some states, the TC has to be countersigned by the district education officer before it can be attested. If yours lacks this and the route needs it, we will tell you after seeing a photo.
Name check: the child's name on the TC should match the passport exactly. A missing middle name or a different surname spelling is the most common reason a school abroad sends a document back.
How a TC reaches the MEA
A TC is an education document, so it uses the same pre-verification options as marksheets and degrees.
Route A
Notary + SDM → MEA
For apostille countries where the school's list does not ask for state verification. ₹1,500 per document.
Route B
State HRD → MEA
Used for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other embassy countries, and for Italy, Spain and Portugal. Priced on quote.
| Destination | Final result |
|---|---|
| UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman | MEA attestation + embassy attestation |
| Saudi Arabia | MEA e-apostille with QR code |
| Bahrain | MEA apostille, usually with translation |
| Germany | MEA apostille, route as per the school's checklist |
| Italy, Spain, Portugal | State HRD, then MEA apostille |
Tips for parents moving with children
- Ask for the TC early. Schools issue a TC only after fees are cleared, and the office may take some time. Request it as soon as your move date is fixed.
- Get the report card too. Most schools abroad want the final report card of the last class, and many want it attested with the TC.
- Do the birth certificate in the same batch. It is almost always on the admission list. See birth certificate attestation.
- Keep a scan of everything. Schools abroad often accept scans for a provisional seat while the originals are being attested.
- Ask about translation. Schools in Arabic-speaking or European countries may want an Arabic or local-language translation. We translate into any language, priced on quote.
Delhi parents can bring the documents to our New Ashok Nagar office and collect them there. From other cities, courier them to us, and we return them by Blue Dart or another secure courier.
Questions about TC attestation
My child was in class 3. Does a primary school TC need attestation?
If the school abroad asks for it, yes. Age does not change the requirement. Gulf schools in particular often ask for an attested TC even for younger children.
The school issued a TC on plain paper. Will it work?
It may be refused at the verification stage. Ask the school to reissue it on letterhead or its standard TC form, with the principal's signature and stamp.
Is a migration certificate the same as a TC?
No. A TC is issued by a school or college when a student leaves. A migration certificate is issued by a university or board to show a student can move to another university or board. Both can be attested. Your new institution will say which one it wants.
We are already abroad. Can relatives in India send the TC to you?
Yes. A relative can courier it or drop it at our office, and we return it to an address in India or to whoever you name. You can follow progress with us on WhatsApp.
How long does it take?
It depends on the route and the country. We give you a time estimate with the price, before you send the TC.