Character Certificate Format in Pakistan (Student and Job Samples)

A character certificate is a short, signed letter confirming that a person is known to the issuer and has shown good conduct. In Pakistan, students usually get one from their school or college head for admissions, while job applicants may need one from their institution, a gazetted officer or, for travel and overseas jobs, the police.

This guide gives you a ready-to-use character certificate format for Pakistan for students and job seekers, a sample application to request one, the difference between an institutional and a police character certificate, and the mistakes that cause problems during document verification.

What is a character certificate?

A character certificate is a statement about your behaviour and reputation. It does not show marks or skills. It tells an admissions office, employer or embassy that someone in a position of responsibility has observed your conduct and found nothing against you.

In Pakistan, you will commonly come across three kinds:

Institutional character certificate: issued by the principal of your school or college, or by your university, usually when you leave or complete a level of study.
Character certificate from a gazetted officer: a letter from a government officer, typically of BS-17 or above, who knows you personally. Some job applications and forms ask for this.
Police character certificate: an official police verification that there is no criminal record against you, mainly used for visas, immigration and overseas employment.

When do you need a character certificate?

College and university admissions: many institutions ask for a character certificate from the last school or college attended, especially after Matric and Intermediate.
Government and private jobs: recruiting bodies may ask for one at the application, interview or joining stage. The advertisement or call letter tells you which type is required.
Scholarships: some scholarship applications ask for a character certificate along with academic documents. See how to find and apply for scholarships.
Visas and overseas employment: embassies and foreign employers usually require a police character certificate.

Character certificate format for students (school or college)

Institutions use their own letterhead and wording, but a proper student character certificate usually follows this structure:

[School / College letterhead]
Ref. No: ______ Date: ______

CHARACTER CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that [Student’s full name], son/daughter of [Father’s name], has been a bona fide student of this institution from [start date] to [end date], studying in [Class / Programme] under Admission/Registration No. [number].

He/She passed the [examination] of [Board/University] in [year] under Roll No. [number].

To the best of my knowledge, he/she bears a good moral character and has not been involved in any activity against the rules and discipline of this institution.

I wish him/her success in the future.

Signature: ______
Name: ______
Designation: Principal / Head of Institution
Official stamp

The key parts are the letterhead, reference number, dates of study, class, registration and roll numbers, the statement on conduct, and the signature and stamp of the head of the institution.

Character certificate format for a job (from a gazetted officer)

When an employer or form asks for a character certificate from a gazetted officer, the officer normally writes it on their official letterhead or pad:

CHARACTER CERTIFICATE

Certified that I have known [Applicant’s full name], son/daughter of [Father’s name], CNIC No. [number], resident of [address], for the last [number] years.

To the best of my knowledge, he/she bears a good moral character and is not known to have been involved in any unlawful activity. I have no objection to his/her appointment / application for [post or purpose].

Signature: ______
Name: ______
Designation and BPS: ______
Office: ______
Official stamp Date: ______

Only ask officers who actually know you. The officer is personally confirming your conduct, and the certificate may be checked. If you are unsure what “gazetted” means, our guide on BPS grades explains the officer grades.

How to request a character certificate from school or college

1. Clear your dues and return items

Many institutions issue character certificates only after fees are cleared and library books or equipment are returned. Ask the office whether a clearance form is needed.

2. Submit a written application

Address it to the principal or head of the institution. Include your name, father’s name, class, session, roll number and the purpose.

3. Attach copies of documents

Common attachments are your CNIC or B-Form, result card or certificate, and student card. Some offices ask for a small processing fee.

4. Collect and check the certificate

Before leaving, check the spelling of your name and your father’s name, the dates, and your roll and registration numbers. Make sure it is signed and stamped.

Sample application for a character certificate

To
The Principal,
[School/College name], [City]

Subject: Application for Character Certificate

Respected Sir/Madam,

With due respect, I state that I was a student of [class] in your institution during Session [session] (Roll No. [number]). I have passed the [examination] and now need a character certificate for [admission in ___ / job application / scholarship].

I request you to kindly issue my character certificate. I shall be very thankful to you.

Yours obediently,
[Name]
[Class, Roll No.]
[Contact number]
Date: ______

Police character certificate: how it is different

A police character certificate is not written by your school or an officer who knows you. It is issued by the police after checking records, and is mostly needed for visas, immigration and overseas jobs.

Islamabad: the Islamabad Police accept applications online or at Police Khidmat Markaz centres. At the time of writing, its page lists documents such as the original CNIC or B-Form, passport and proof of residence, a Rs. 1,000 fee and around three working days for processing.
Punjab: police character certificates can be applied for through Punjab’s e-Khidmat Markaz service centres, which publish an application form for this service.
Other provinces: check the provincial police website or your district police office for the current procedure.

Fees, documents and timelines can change, so confirm them on the official page before you go.

Institutional vs police character certificate

Point	School / college / officer certificate	Police character certificate
Issued by	Head of institution, or a gazetted officer who knows you	Police department
Based on	Personal knowledge of your conduct	Police record verification
Common uses	Admissions, scholarships, many job applications	Visas, immigration, overseas employment, some sensitive jobs
Fee	Usually free or a small office fee	Official fee set by the police department
Validity	No fixed period; recent certificates are preferred	Often accepted for about 6 months to 1 year, depending on the receiving organisation

Common mistakes to avoid

Submitting the wrong type. An embassy asking for a police certificate will not accept a college certificate.
Name mismatches. Spellings must match your CNIC and educational documents exactly.
Missing stamp, date or designation. Verification offices often reject incomplete certificates.
Using an old certificate. Many organisations prefer a recently issued one.
Asking a stranger to sign. A gazetted officer should only certify someone they genuinely know. Fake or purchased certificates can lead to disqualification.

Frequently asked questions

Who can issue a character certificate in Pakistan?

For students, the head of the school, college or university. For many job applications, a gazetted officer who knows you. For visas and overseas jobs, the police.

What is the validity of a character certificate from school?

There is no fixed national validity. The receiving institution decides, and many prefer a certificate issued recently.

Can I get a character certificate after 12th class?

Yes. After Intermediate, your college can issue one, usually along with your school leaving or college leaving certificate.

Is a character certificate the same as a school leaving certificate?

No. A leaving certificate records that you left the institution and your dates of study, while a character certificate comments on your conduct. Institutions often issue both together.

Do I need a character certificate for government jobs?

Often, yes, at some stage. Check the advertisement, application instructions or joining letter for the exact type and format. Our guide on how to apply for government jobs in Pakistan lists other common documents.

Conclusion

A character certificate is a small document that can hold up an admission or job if it is missing or incorrect. Identify which type you need, request it early using the right format, and check every detail before submitting. If you are also waiting for exam results, read our guide to the hope certificate, and keep your domicile certificate ready too.