Bonafide Certificate: How to Apply, Format & Uses

A bonafide certificate is a document given by an organization to confirm that a distinct individual belongs to that organization. Usually, education institutions dispense this certificate to their students. These certificates can also be issued by firms for their employees.

For obtaining the bonafide certificate, an application must be filled and submitted to the head of the appropriate institution/organization. Some of the institutions might have a prescribed type of application form for the same purpose. If there exists no application form, students may write a letter. This article will try to provide the format of the bonafide application, how to apply, examples, and uses.

Application for Bonafide Certificate

The application form required by the individuals who desire to be issued a bonafide certificate is independent of the institute or organization. Certain institutes make available their application forms online on their official portal. In contrast, others might need the individual to collect the application forms from their concerned institute or organization’s office. In case the application forms are not made available by the institute or organization, the individual should write a letter requesting the certificate addressed to the institute’s head or organization or the respective person as specified by the institute. The candidate might need to pay a nominal fee amount for obtaining a bonafide certificate while filling the application.

Purpose of Bonafide Certificate

The certificate has many different purposes for individuals belonging to different categories, like students in schools, colleges, and working individuals. This certificate is issued upon requesting the students in school, college graduates, and employees of an organization. It is generally attested and signed by the chief head of the institution or organization.

• The main purpose of a bonafide certificate across all the categories is at the time of passport and visa application or extension.
• In the case of a student, this certificate will be required while shifting schools, applying for educational loans, and seeking admission to colleges and universities.
• In the case of working individuals, this certificate might need a bank loan, open a new bank account, or apply for a new job.

Format of the Certificate

Every college/institute might be having its individual format for the bonafide certificate. But there will be some of the common specifications like the college name published on the letterhead, issuing date, details of the student to whom it is issued, and sign of the head of the concerned institution/college.

Bonafide Certificate for Student

One can approach the concerned authority of the organization/institute regarding the topic for basic information regarding issues.

• To get the certificate, an individual has to ask the head of the concerned institute/organization in writing. This is a simple request letter to the concerned authority of the foundation to apply for a Bonafide Certificate.
• There are some colleges where students need to submit an application in a designated format to the Institute. For instance, in case first-year students of a college and direct second-year students need an associate leaving certificate of the first college along with an application form.

Some other reasons may be as follows:

• Applying for educational loans
• Applying for passport and visa extension
• For attending a workshop or a seminar at another academic institute
• Visiting an industry for some project work
• Availing traveling concessions
• Joining a public library

For Employees

To get the Bonafide certificate, an individual has to appeal to the head of the concerned institute/organization in writing. This would be an uncomplicated letter requesting the concerned person of the organization regarding the bonafide certificate.

• For opening a bank account
• For availing a bank loan
• For attending a conference or an official seminar

Documents Required

For students

• Application form
• Photocopy of ID card
• Fee Receipt (Fees to be paid at Counter when submitted the application form)

For Employees

• A copy of the Employee ID Card is needed
• A copy of the Payslip

Uses of Bonafide Certificate

Since the bonafide certificate can be considered as proof of doing part of an organization, it is generally asked for in the following circumstances:

• A student trying to get student permits that are granted by the public transport companies like city buses, local trains, and metros might be required to present this certificate while appealing for the concession.
• The document might also be required while applying for a passport.
• Sometimes visa forms require this certificate specifically in cases where a separate student visa is assigned to students who are pursuing their studies overseas or when a work visa is assigned to an employee of a company.
• Some lending institutions grant. There are some lending institutions that grant loans to students at concessional rates. The student in such a situation might be expected to submit this certificate to get this benefit.
• The certificates issued before various traffic authorities to demand a driving license might comprise a bonafide certificate as an additional ID proof.
• There are some events that are exclusively managed for students/employees like conferences, seminars, etc. Permission to be a part of such events might be given on the production of this document.
• This may also be needed in case of employing for various student scholarships.
• Corporates might own tie-ups with companies to offer additional incomes. For instance, a business might be having a tie-up with a taxi service to grant a concession to their employees. The employees can confirm their qualification/eligibility via this certificate.

Bonafide Application Format for Passport

While applying for a passport, you might need to show proof that you are pursuing your studies at a particular institution or are an employee of an organization. 

Bonafide Application Format For Aadhar Card

When applying for an Aadhar card, a bonafide certificate may also need as residence proof or student ID. To write an application for a bonafide certificate for Aadhar card, the first and foremost thing is that is it generally written by the student requesting the principal or the director of their college to issue them this certificate.

Application for Bonafide Certificate for Internship/Apprenticeship

A bonafide certificate might be needed by a student while applying for an internship or apprenticeship to validate the college or institution they are pursuing their studies from. 

Issue of Bonafide Certificate

The duration of issuing a bonafide certificate may vary from institution to institution. It is generally issued on a printed letter by the head of the institution and is duly signed/stamped. A bonafide certificate might contain a fee structure for applying for an education loan. 

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