Application for TC: Transfer Certificate Format and 8 Samples
Updated
How to write an application for TC (transfer certificate) to the principal, 8 ready samples, the documents schools ask for and your rights under the RTE Act.
An application for TC is a formal letter that a student or parent writes to the school principal to request a transfer certificate when the student is leaving the school. It gives the student’s name, class, admission number, the reason for leaving and the date from which the TC is needed. Schools issue the TC after checking records and dues.
Below you will find the correct format, 8 samples for common situations, the documents schools usually ask for, and your rights under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Key Takeaways
- Address the application for TC to the principal and include the admission number, class and section.
- Give a clear reason, such as a parent’s transfer, relocation, or completing Class 10 or 12.
- Under Section 5(3) of the RTE Act, the head of a school must issue a TC immediately for a child in elementary education (Classes 1 to 8).
- A delay in issuing a TC cannot be used to delay or deny admission in another school under the RTE Act.
- The Madras High Court held in July 2024 that schools cannot use the TC to recover fee arrears or mark dues on it.
What Is a Transfer Certificate?
A transfer certificate (TC), also called a school leaving certificate in some states, is an official record issued by a school when a student leaves. It confirms the student’s name, date of birth, class last studied, date of admission, date of leaving and conduct. The new school uses it to admit the student into the correct class.
Why schools ask for a written application
A written application for TC creates a record of the request date and reason. It also lets the office check library books, fee accounts and pending documents before preparing the certificate. Consequently, a complete application speeds up the process.
Application for TC Format
| Part | What to write |
|---|---|
| To, | The Principal, school name, city |
| Date | Date of submission |
| Subject | Application for transfer certificate |
| Salutation | Respected Sir/Madam, |
| Body – details | Student’s name, class, section, roll number and admission number |
| Body – reason | Why the student is leaving and from when |
| Body – request | Request to issue the TC and other documents such as the character certificate |
| Closing | Thanking you. Yours obediently / Yours faithfully (parent) |
| Signature | Name, class, admission number; parent’s name, signature and phone |
Write Your Application for TC
Enter the details below. The letter updates as you type, and you can print or save it as a PDF.
To,
The Principal,
[School name],
[City]
Date:
Subject: Application for transfer certificate
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am [student name], a student of [class and section] in your school, with admission number [admission number]. [My father has been transferred to another city, so our family is relocating].
Therefore, I request you to issue my transfer certificate at the earliest. I have returned all library books and cleared my school dues.
Thanking you.
Yours obediently,
[student name]
[class and section], Admission No. [admission number]
8 Application for TC Samples
Sample 1: TC application due to father’s transfer
To,
The Principal,
Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1,
Jalandhar Cantt
Date: 1 October 2026
Subject: Application for transfer certificate
Respected Sir,
I am Simran Kaur, a student of Class VII-A (Admission No. 4512). My father, an Army officer, has been posted to Jodhpur. Consequently, our family is moving there this month.
Kindly issue my transfer certificate so that I can take admission in a school in Jodhpur. I have cleared all dues.
Thanking you.
Yours obediently,
Simran Kaur
Class VII-A
Sample 2: TC application written by a parent for relocation
To,
The Principal,
Little Angels School,
Gwalior
Date: 5 October 2026
Subject: Request for transfer certificate of my son
Respected Madam,
My son, Aarush Saxena, studies in Class IV-B (Admission No. 2231). We are shifting to Bengaluru, as I have joined a new job there.
Therefore, I request you to issue his transfer certificate and progress report by 15 October 2026.
Yours faithfully,
Neeraj Saxena (Father)
Mobile: 97XXXXXX80
Sample 3: TC application after passing Class 10
To,
The Principal,
St. Joseph’s High School,
Dehradun
Date: 20 May 2027
Subject: Application for transfer certificate after Class 10
Respected Sir,
I passed my Class 10 board examination this year from your school (Admission No. 1877). I have decided to take admission in Class 11 (Commerce) at another school.
Kindly issue my transfer certificate and character certificate.
Yours obediently,
Kunal Rawat
Class X-B (2026–27)
Sample 4: TC application after Class 12
To,
The Principal,
Delhi Public School,
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Date: 25 May 2027
Subject: Request for TC and migration documents
Respected Madam,
I have passed my Class 12 examination from your school (Admission No. 6754, Roll No. 16). I have secured admission to B.Sc. (Hons) at the University of Delhi.
Therefore, I request you to issue my transfer certificate and character certificate for college admission.
Thanking you.
Yours obediently,
Ishita Malhotra
Class XII-A (2026–27)
Sample 5: TC application to join a school closer to home
To,
The Principal,
Vivekananda Vidyalaya,
Chennai
Date: 2 June 2027
Subject: Application for transfer certificate
Respected Sir,
My daughter, Harini S., studied in Class V-C (Admission No. 3390) in your school. We have moved to Tambaram, and the daily journey takes over an hour.
Hence, we have decided to admit her to a school near our new home. Kindly issue her transfer certificate.
Yours faithfully,
Srinivasan K. (Father)
Sample 6: TC application for admission to a residential school
To,
The Principal,
Government Middle School,
Satna
Date: 10 June 2027
Subject: Transfer certificate for admission to JNV
Respected Sir,
My son, Vikas Kushwaha of Class V (Admission No. 815), has been selected for Class 6 at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Satna.
Kindly issue his transfer certificate so that we can complete the admission before the deadline.
Yours faithfully,
Ramlal Kushwaha (Father)
Sample 7: Reminder for a delayed transfer certificate
To,
The Principal,
Sunrise Public School,
Meerut
Date: 20 June 2027
Subject: Reminder for issue of transfer certificate
Respected Madam,
I applied for the transfer certificate of my daughter, Kavya Tyagi of Class VI-B (Admission No. 2904), on 5 June 2027. I have not received it yet.
Her new school has asked for the TC by 30 June 2027. Therefore, I request you to issue it at the earliest.
Yours faithfully,
Sunil Tyagi (Father)
Mobile: 99XXXXXX07
Sample 8: Application for duplicate TC
To,
The Principal,
Model High School,
Jabalpur
Date: 25 June 2027
Subject: Application for duplicate transfer certificate
Respected Sir,
I studied in your school up to Class 10 and left in 2019 (Admission No. 1123). Unfortunately, I have lost my original transfer certificate while shifting house.
Kindly issue a duplicate TC. I have attached a copy of my Class 10 marksheet and an affidavit about the loss.
Yours faithfully,
Pooja Dubey
Enclosures: Copy of marksheet, affidavit
Documents Schools Usually Ask For
| Document | Why the school needs it |
|---|---|
| Written application for TC | Records the request and reason |
| No-dues clearance (fees, library, transport) | Confirms nothing is pending |
| Copy of the last report card | Helps fill the class last studied |
| Parent’s ID proof (sometimes) | Confirms the request comes from a guardian |
| Affidavit or FIR copy (duplicate TC only) | Records the loss of the original |
However, schools cannot hold back a TC to recover old fees. In July 2024, the Madras High Court held that a TC is a personal document of the child, that schools cannot mention fee arrears on it, and that a TC cannot be a condition for admission elsewhere.
Your Rights Under the RTE Act
Section 5 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 gives every child in elementary education (Classes 1 to 8) the right to transfer to another school. Under Section 5(3), the head of the school must issue the transfer certificate immediately. Moreover, a delay in producing the TC cannot be a ground to delay or deny admission in the new school, and staff who delay it can face disciplinary action.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing admission number. The office finds your record fastest when the application for TC includes it.
- No reason. A one-line reason is expected, even if the principal already knows.
- Last-minute requests. Apply at least a week before the new school’s deadline.
- Not keeping a copy. Keep a signed copy with the office receipt date.
For other letters to the principal, see our leave application for school samples and the sick leave application guide. Browse all school and college letters, or create a TC request instantly with the Letter Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write an application for TC?
Address it to the principal, add the date and the subject “Application for transfer certificate”, then give the student’s name, class, admission number and reason for leaving. End with a request to issue the TC and sign it.
Who can apply for a transfer certificate?
The student can apply, and for younger children a parent or guardian usually writes the application and signs it.
How many days does a school take to issue a TC?
It varies by school, often a few working days. For Classes 1 to 8, Section 5(3) of the RTE Act requires the head of the school to issue it immediately.
Can a school refuse a TC because of unpaid fees?
The Madras High Court held in 2024 that a TC cannot be used to recover fee arrears and that dues cannot be mentioned on it. Pending fees should be settled separately.
Can I get admission without a TC?
For elementary classes, the RTE Act says a delay in producing the TC cannot delay or deny admission. For higher classes, schools and boards usually ask for it.
What is the difference between a TC and a school leaving certificate?
Both record the student’s exit from a school. Some states and boards call it a school leaving certificate (LC), while others call it a transfer certificate.
How do I get a duplicate TC?
Write to the principal of the old school, mention the year of leaving and admission number, and attach a copy of your marksheet and an affidavit or police report about the loss.
Get Your TC Without Delays
A clear application for TC saves time for both you and the school office. So, include the admission number, give a simple reason, and apply well before the new school’s deadline. Keep a copy of every letter and receipt. For more ready formats, visit the Local Letter homepage.
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