What is Bonafide Certificate? This is the question teenagers ask to the elders when they come to school level or college level and this is the one term you might often come across is the Bonafide Certificate. You might have heard about this, but many of us might not know the
In this article, we will clearly explain what a bonafide certificate is, its purpose, uses, sample format, and how to apply for one — whether you are a student or an employee.
What is a Bonafide Certificate?
A Bonafide Certificate is an official authentication certificate that the person studying in or belong to this particular institute or company, it’s a one type of authenticity certificate from the education institute or company.
Practically, it is a written proof that you belong to a certain institute , school, College or university, company during a period of time and year.
Bonafide Certificate meaning:
The word “bonafide” comes from Latin, meaning “in good faith” or “genuine.” So, a university or school or any institution or company certifies that the candidate studied there for certain period and certain course etc, companies certified that the employee worked / working there from so and so period and they are giving a positive signal.
what documents are required for bonafide certificate
- Valid ID proof – Such as Aadhar Card or Student / Employee ID Card
- Written Application Letter – Mention the purpose
- Fee receipt or admission proof from the school or college – for Students
- Employee ID or Appointment letter – For Employees
- Address proof or passport size photos (Some institutes require this)
Who Can Get a Bonafide Certificate?
Two king of people generally get Bonafide certificates:
- Students
Students can get a bonafide certificate from their school, college, or university.
It includes details like:
- Name of the student
- Class or course enrolled in
- Period of study
- Roll number or registration number
- Purpose for which the certificate is required (for example, passport, scholarship, etc.)
- Employees
Employees can get a Bonafide certificate from their employer or company’s HR department.
It confirms that the person is a current or former employee and includes:
- Employee’s full name
- Designation and department
- Period of employment
- Employee ID or reference number
- Company name and address
Bonafide Translation Services
Why is a Bonafide Certificate Needed?
A bonafide certificate is required in many official and personal situations as proof of identity, enrollment, or employment.
Here are some common reasons why people need it:
For Students:-
- Applying for Scholarships – To get a scholarship from government or private, you require proof that the student is currently studying in a recognized institution.
- Opening a Bank Account – Students may need to show a bonafide certificate to open a bank account in the name of the student.
- Applying for a Passport or Visa – When students travel abroad for higher education, they may need this certificate for visa or passport documentation.
- Student Concession in Travel – Bus, train, and metro services often offer discounts for students upon producing a valid bonafide certificate.
- Attending Seminars, Workshops, or Events – Bonafide requires when you need to attend seminars or workshops and to get benefitted from those classes, it is mandatory that you should prove yourself that you are student from so and so institute.
For Employees
- Applying for Loans or Credit – for working professionals, its mandatory to have this for their banking or loan purpose.
- Visa Application for Work Travel – Embassies may require confirmation of employment for travel purposes.
- Government or Private Benefits – Some organizations require bonafide certificates for employee benefits, ID creation, or membership purposes.
- Rental Agreements or ID Verification – When renting a house or verifying employment, a bonafide certificate acts as valid proof.
Difference Between Bonafide Certificate and Other Documents
Document Type | Purpose | Issued By | Includes |
Bonafide Certificate | Proof of being a genuine student/employee | Institution or Company | Name, course/designation, duration, purpose |
Study Certificate | Confirms course and duration of study | School/College | Name, course, duration |
Experience Certificate | Proof of work experience | Employer | Name, job title, duration of service |
Character Certificate | Certifies conduct or character | Institution/Authority | Name, behavior remarks |
A bonafide certificate is therefore not a character or experience certificate — it is purely an identity and affiliation proof.
Format of a Bonafide Certificate
Format of a Bonafide Certificate
Here’s a sample Bonafide Certificate Format for both students and employees:
Sample Format of Bonafide Certificate for Students
To Whomsoever It May Concern
This is to certify that [Student Name], son/daughter of [Parent’s Name], is a bonafide student of [School/College Name].
He/She is studying in [Class/Course Name] during the academic year [Year/Session].
This certificate is issued for the purpose of [mention purpose – e.g., passport application / bank account / scholarship, etc.].
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Place: [City Name]
(Signature of Principal / Head of Institution)
Name: _______________________
Seal of Institution
Sample format Bonafide Certificate for Employees :
To Whomsoever It May Concern
This is to certify that Mr./Ms. [Employee Name] is employed with [Company Name] as a [Designation] in the [Department Name].
He/She has been working with us since [Date of Joining] and continues to be associated with our organization.
This certificate is issued upon the employee’s request for the purpose of [mention purpose – e.g., bank loan / visa / official verification].
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Place: [City Name]
(Signature of HR Manager / Authorized Signatory)
Name: _______________________
Designation: __________________
Company Seal
How to Apply for a Bonafide Certificate?
To apply a bonafide certificate, it is a easy process but the procedure may differ as per the institute:
For Students:
- Write an Application Letter addressed to the Principal or Head of Institution.
- Mention your details clearly — full name, roll number, class, course, and reason for requesting the certificate.
- Submit the application to the office or online (if your institution offers it).
- Collect the certificate within a few days after approval.
Sample Application for Bonafide Certificate (Student):
To
The Principal,
[School/College Name],
[City].
Subject: Request for Bonafide Certificate
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am [Your Full Name], studying in [Class/Course Name] bearing Roll No. [Roll Number].
I kindly request you to issue me a bonafide certificate for [mention reason, e.g., applying for a passport].
Thank you.
Yours obediently,
[Your Name]
[Date]
For Employees:
- Send an email or formal request to the HR or Admin Department.
- Mention your employee ID, designation, department, and purpose.
- The HR will verify your details and issue the certificate.
Sample Email for Bonafide Certificate (Employee):
Subject: Request for Bonafide Certificate
Dear [HR Manager’s Name],
I am [Your Name], working as [Designation] in [Department Name].
I request you to kindly issue me a bonafide certificate for [mention purpose, e.g., bank loan / visa application].
Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Employee ID: [Your ID]
[Contact Number]
Validity of Bonafide Certificate
A bonafide certificate is generally valid for up to 6 months to 1 year, depending on the issuing institute or company and the purpose.
For example, for travel or bank use, it is compulsory that it is issued very recently and older one will not be accepted.
Key factors to Remember
- Always ensure the name and spelling , Title of the course, and institution details are correct.
- The certificate must be attested with official seal and signature of the issuing authority.
- Mention the Purpose of the Certificate in the application to avoid misuse.
- Keep both digital and physical copies for future use.
Conclusion
A Bonafide Certificate is a highly important document it plays a vital role as a proof or your genuine, you are enrolled with specific institution or company or organization and its regularly required for various purposes like academic, professional purposes, banking purposes.
Whether you are a student applying for a scholarship or an employee applying for a visa, a bonafide certificate establish your credibility and identity.
If you need one, just follow the correct procedure through your institution’s office or HR department, and ensure it is properly signed and stamped before submission.
How to write a Bonafide Certificate:
Writing a bonafide certificate is simple — it just needs to be clear, formal, and issued on official letterhead with the institution’s seal and signature.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to write one correctly:
- Always use your letterhead – It adds authenticity.
- Include correct dates – Year / Duration of Study or work.
- Be specific about purpose – Mention the actual purpose for issue.
- Add signature and seal – Mandatory for validity.
- Use simple, formal English – Write in Standard and simple English and error-free with professional tone.
- Mention the issue date clearly – Some certificates will be rejected without date as the certificates older than six months are not accepted.
Some Example “Purpose lines” you can mention
- “This certificate is issued for applying for a passport.”
- “This certificate is issued for scholarship purposes.”
- “This certificate is issued for bank account verification.”
- “This certificate is issued for visa processing.”
- “This certificate is issued as proof of employment.”
Some Common Mistakes to Avoid
Missing institutional seal or signature
Typing / Name Spelling errors or mentioning wrong course details
Not mentioning purpose
Issuing letter in plain paper instead of letterhead of the institute or company
Without date or Incorrect or outdated date
FAQ about Bonafide Certificate
- Is Bonafide Certificate required for passport in 2025?
A Bonafide Certificate may be required for a passport application in 2025 if the applicant is a student or employee and does not have another valid address or identity proof. It serves as proof of enrollment or employment. However, it is not mandatory for everyone — documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, or utility bills are usually accepted.
- What is a Bonafide Student Certificate?
A Bonafide Student Certificate is an official document issued by a school, college, or university certifying that a person is a genuine student of that institution during a specific academic period. It includes the student’s name, class, course, duration of study, and purpose for which it is issued (e.g., passport, scholarship, or bank account).
- Is a Bonafide Certificate compulsory for passport in 2025?
No, a Bonafide Certificate is not compulsory for all passport applicants. It is only required if you are a student without other address or ID proofs. In such cases, the certificate helps verify your institution and residence details.
- Is a Bonafide Certificate required for NSP Scholarship 2025?
Yes, for the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2025, a Bonafide Certificate is often mandatory. It confirms that the applicant is a current student enrolled in a recognized educational institution. The certificate must be signed and stamped by the head of the institution before submission.
- Is a Bonafide Certificate necessary for passport verification in 2025?
A Bonafide Certificate is not always necessary, but it can be helpful during passport verification — especially for students studying away from their permanent address. It serves as a valid supporting document for address and identity verification.
- What is meant by Bonafide Certificate in Tamil?
In Tamil, Bonafide Certificate means “உண்மையான மாணவர் சான்றிதழ்” (Unmaiyana Maanavar Saandrithal) for students, and “உண்மையான ஊழியர் சான்றிதழ்” (Unmaiyana Uzhiyaar Saandrithal) for employees. It is an official proof of being a genuine student or employee.
- What is a Bonafide Letter from Company?
A Bonafide Letter from Company is a document issued by an employer confirming that a person is a current or former employee of that organization. It includes details such as:
- Employee name
- Designation and department
- Employment period
- Company details and signature of authorized person
It is often required for visa applications, bank loans, or employment verification.
- What is a Bonafide Letter from Employer?
A Bonafide Letter from Employer serves the same purpose as a Bonafide Letter from Company — it officially confirms your employment status and work period with the organization. It is used as proof of employment for official, financial, or immigration purposes.
- What is Bonafide Certificate Number?
A Bonafide Certificate Number is a unique identification number assigned by the issuing institution or company to track and verify the authenticity of the certificate. It ensures that the certificate is genuine and can be validated if needed.
- What is Bonafide Certificate in Hindi?
In Hindi, Bonafide Certificate means “बोनाफाइड प्रमाण पत्र”.
- What is Bonafide Certificate in Tamil?
In Tamil, it is called “உறுதிச் சான்றிதழ்” (Uruthi Saandrithal).
- What is a Bonafide Certificate in Marathi?
In Marathi, Bonafide Certificate means “बोनाफाईड प्रमाणपत्र”.
- Is Conduct Certificate and Bonafide Certificate same?
No, a Conduct Certificate shows a person’s behavior, while a Bonafide Certificate proves a person’s admission in an institute or employment.
- How does a Bonafide Certificate look like?
It’s a formal letter on official letterhead with the institution’s seal, name, course or designation, and purpose mentioned. See the beginning of this article for a sample look.
- Difference between Study Certificate and Bonafide Certificate?
Study Certificate mentions about the duration of the course and name of the course; a Bonafide Certificate creates genuine association with the institution.
- Is Bonafide Certificate and Character Certificate same?
No, a Character Certificate describes about your conduct and discipline in the during the studies , while a Bonafide Certificate gives you authority and enrolment in a particular school or institution.
- Is Bonafide Certificate and Transfer Certificate same?
No, a Transfer Certificate is issued when you leave an institution, while a Bonafide Certificate confirms current association and builds trust.
19. Where can I get Bonafide Certificate Translation near me in 2025?
You can get professional Bonafide Certificate translation services near you through certified agencies like Abayam Translation Services, available in Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and across India.
20. Is Bonafide Certificate translation required for passport or visa in 2025?
Yes, a translated Bonafide Certificate is often required for passport, visa, or study abroad applications, especially when the document is not in English.
21. How much does Bonafide Certificate translation cost in India (2025)?
In 2025, Bonafide Certificate translation typically costs between ₹250 and ₹800 per document, depending on the language pair and certification needs.
22. Do you provide certified Bonafide Certificate translations for embassy use?
Yes, we provide certified and attested translations of Bonafide Certificates accepted by embassies, consulates, and government offices.
23. Can I get same-day Bonafide Certificate translation in Chennai or Coimbatore?
Yes, same-day and urgent translation services are available in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and other major cities for quick submissions.
24. Are translated Bonafide Certificates accepted by universities and immigration offices?
Yes, our certified translations are recognized by universities, immigration authorities, and verification departments worldwide.
25. Do you offer online Bonafide Certificate translation services in 2025?
Yes, you can easily upload your Bonafide Certificate online and receive your certified translation via email or courier without visiting our office.
26. What languages do you offer for Bonafide Certificate translation?
We translate Bonafide Certificates into English, Tamil, Hindi, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and 100+ other languages.