What is Gap Certificate: Format, Documents, Sample, How to Apply

A Gap certificate is a legal document written on non-judicial stamp paper, in which you declare that you took a break from your studies, mention how long the gap was, and explain the reason (like health issues, work, exam prep, etc.).

It’s usually needed for university admissions or visa applications when there’s a year or more gap in your education.

You need a Gap certificate to prove why you took a break from studies and to show you were not doing anything wrong during that time.

Colleges, universities, and visa offices ask for it because they want to keep records clear and check your seriousness about studying again. Your admission or visa process could get delayed or rejected without a Gap certificate.

Here’s why a Gap certificate is important:

College Admission

Colleges need to know why there’s a gap in your studies before giving you admission.

Visa Process

If you want to study abroad, visa officers check your Gap certificate to see what you did during the break.

Clear Record

It helps keep your documents complete and avoids questions about missing years.

Trust

It shows you are honest about your gap and have nothing to hide.

Future Jobs

Some jobs might also ask for it to check your background.

Scholarships

A Few scholarship offices might need a Gap certificate to confirm your study history.

You can get a Gap certificate issued by a notary, lawyer, or sometimes your school or college, depending on where you live.

It usually takes a few days to be issued and is highly recommended for applications abroad for your higher education.

In many places, the stamp paper value for the Gap certificate is between INR 10 and INR 100, depending on local rules. Some universities may even give you a specific format to follow for writing your Gap certificate.

This certificate is an official document, so it must be signed and stamped by someone who has the legal power to prepare such documents. Most students go to a notary because it’s quick and accepted by all colleges and offices.

Here’s where you can get your Gap certificate issued from:

Notary Public

A notary is a legal person who checks your papers and signs the certificate to make it official. This is the most common way to get your Gap certificate.

Lawyer

Some students go to a lawyer, who writes the certificate on stamp paper and helps with the legal words. The lawyer then gets it signed by a notary, too.

School or College

In some places, your old school or college may give you a Gap certificate if you explain your reason for the gap. But this is not accepted everywhere, especially for legal or visa work.

District Court or Local Court

Some students go directly to a local court to get the Gap certificate prepared and signed. This takes more time, but is also an option.

A Gap certificate does not have a fixed format- it depends on the specifications of the institution and the organization issuing it. But there are some details and pieces of information that every Gap certificate must contain. Below you can find the details that must be present in every certificate.

• Personal information of the applicant: your name, date of birth, and permanent address
• Educational details of the applicant: your place of last education, year of last educational qualification, and most recent status of education
• Duration of the gap: period for which you have taken a gap from education
• Reason/s for the gap: detailed information about the reasons for the gap (eg, health issues, travel, test preparation)
• Desired university/institution: Name of the institution you wish to apply to.
• Date of application: date when you applied for the Gap certificate
• Signatures: your signature and the advocate’s signature

You must draft your Gap certificate formally and concisely, sticking to the necessary points and stating the reason and duration of your gap clearly. Given below is a sample Gap certificate. You can alter it according to the specifications of the university or organization you’re applying for.

Here’s a sample of a Gap certificate:

Gap certificate Affidavit

(on stamp paper)

I, [YOUR NAME], daughter/son of [FATHER’S/MOTHER’S NAME], born on [DATE OF BIRTH], and currently residing at [YOUR COMPLETE CURRENT ADDRESS], hereby solemnly affirm and declare that:

I have completed [LAST COMPLETED DEGREE, COURSE DETAILS, QUALIFICATION, AND AGGREGATE SCORE].

Afterwards, I was unable to attend [NAME OF INSTITUTION] for [GAP DURATION] due to [REASONS FOR THE GAP].

I have taken a gap from [BEGINNING DATE OF THE GAP] to [END DATE OF THE GAP] and solemnly confirm that I have neither engaged in any criminal activity nor been punished or had a case pending in a Court of Law. 

Declared on [DATE].

[APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE]

Verification:

[VERIFICATION STATEMENT BY THE NOTARY PUBLIC CONFIRMING NO DOCUMENT IS FALSE OR ILLEGAL]

[VERIFICATION DATE]

Solemn declaration and signature in my presence on [DATE] after verification of all documents and contents of the affidavit

Signature and Stamp of the Notary

You must apply for and obtain your Gap certificate after getting it signed and stamped by a public notary. This will make it a certified affidavit.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to apply for a Gap certificate:

• Step 1: Write your affidavit declaring your gap duration and other aforementioned details in Word format.
• Step 2: Buy a non-judicial e-stamp paper from a register office, bank, or court. The value of the stamp ranges between INR 20 and 200.
• Step 3: Print the written affidavit from its original Word format onto the stamp paper.
• Step 4: Get all your supporting documents ready, as mentioned above.
• Step 5: Go to a nearby court and present your affidavit to a public notary.
• Step 6: Sign your affidavit in the presence of the public notary.
• Step 7: Get all your documents checked by the notary public.
• Step 8: After checking, the notary public will sign and stamp the affidavit, completing the process.

There are various documents and paperwork you must submit while applying for a Gap certificate. We have listed below all the documents you need to obtain a legal gap affidavit.

• ID Proof: proof of your identification, such as your Aadhar card, voter ID card, PAN card, or driver’s license
• School or College Leaving Certificate: a certificate stating you have completed your school or college education and have officially left the institution
• Validation Letter from Last School: a letter from your last attended school validating your gap and reasons for taking it
• Proof of Residential Address: proof of your current address, such as the Aadhar card, passport, rental agreement, or lease
• Citizenship Proof: documents proving your citizenship, like the Aadhar card, passport, or nationality certificate
• Transcripts/Marksheets from Last Exam: the mark sheet detailing your performance in your last exam
• Proof of Work Experience: A certificate proving any work experience you may have

You write a Gap certificate application to tell the college or notary why you took a break from your studies, and to ask them to make your Gap certificate.

This letter or affidavit explains your reason for the gap and proves you were not involved in anything wrong. It’s needed for college admission or the visa process.

Let’s see how to write it step by step:

Step 1: Start with a Heading

Write ‘To The Notary Public’ or ‘To The Principal,’ depending on who you’re writing to. Add the office or college name and address.

Step 2: Write a Subject

To make it clearer, you will have to add a subject (a normal format). Example: ‘Subject: Request for Gap certificate’.

Step 3: Write the Body of the Letter

Say your name and when you finished your last studies. Mention how long your gap was. Explain why you took a break (like health, work, exam prep, family problems, etc.). Write that you now want to join college again.

Step 4: Write a Polite Closing

Always remember to end your application on a respectful note. Example lines: “I shall be thankful for your help. Thank you.”

Sign off with:

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Address]
[Mobile Number]

Step 5: List Any Documents

Under ‘Enclosures,’ list any documents you are attaching, like:

• Last marksheet
• ID proof
• Medical or work papers (if needed)

Step 6: Print on Stamp Paper (If Required)

For legal affidavits, print your letter on stamp paper (up to INR 100, depending on state rules).

Step 7: Visit a Notary

Sign your letter in front of the notary. The notary will check your papers, stamp, and sign them.

Take a look at an example of a Gap certificate application:

To,

The Notary Public

[City Name]

Subject: Request for Gap certificate

Respected Sir/Madam,

I, Riya Singh, completed my Class 12 in 2023. After that, I took a gap of one year to prepare for the NEET (medical) exams. Now, I want to continue my studies and take admission in college. Please issue me a Gap certificate for this purpose.

I shall be thankful for your help.

Yours sincerely,
Riya SIngh
[Address]
[Mobile Number]

Universities like Harvard, Oxford, and the University of Melbourne accept students who took a gap year. This is done on the terms that they should have a Gap certificate and a clear reason for their break.

Taking a gap year does not stop you from joining a good university. Many top colleges think a gap year can help students grow, learn new skills, or prepare better for studies. But they might ask you to explain what you did during that time in your documents or interviews.

Below is a table with some top universities that accept gap-year students, along with their QS World University Rankings 2025, acceptance rates, and average yearly fees in USD:

A Gap certificate helps colleges know why you took a break and makes your admission smoother.

If you don’t give a Gap certificate, colleges might worry that you were not serious about your studies or did something wrong (illegal) during your gap. A good Gap certificate shows the college that your reason was genuine, like health issues, exam prep, or family problems.

When you have a proper Gap certificate, it does not usually harm your chances of admission. Many colleges accept students with a gap year if they explain it well. So, having this paper helps you avoid problems during the admission process.

Colleges and officials check a Gap certificate by looking at the notary stamp, signatures, and the details you write in it.

Usually, the college checks:

• If your name and details match your other documents.
• If the reason you gave for the gap makes sense.
• If there’s a legal stamp or seal from the notary or lawyer.
• Sometimes, colleges may call the notary’s office to check if the paper is real. If you mention working or studying somewhere during your gap, they might also check with that office or school.

Please follow this advice: Always tell the truth in your Gap certificate because giving fake details can cause big problems for your admission.

Yes, gap year students often need to give a character certificate along with their Gap certificate. A character certificate says that you are a good person and have not done anything wrong. Schools, colleges, or local police stations can give you this certificate.

Many colleges ask for both documents:

• A Gap certificate to explain why you took a break.
• A character certificate to show that your behaviour was good during your gap.

Having both papers makes your admission process safe and smooth, especially if you plan to study abroad.

We know that taking a gap year can feel scary. Many students worry that colleges won’t accept them because of the break or because they don’t have the right papers. The thought of missing out on your dream college just because of a missing Gap certificate can feel very stressful. But please know that you are NOT alone. Many students take a gap year, and universities all over the world still welcome them.

If you feel confused about how to write a Gap certificate or how to prepare your admission papers, Yocket Premium can help you. Our experts will check your documents, help you write your letters, and guide you so you don’t miss any steps. With Yocket, your dream of studying abroad can stay on track, even after a gap year. Let’s make your journey smooth and hassle-free!