Handling Lost Degree Certificate Cases From Abroad

Losing your degree certificate while living abroad can be stressful—especially when it is required for immigration, WES evaluation, employment, or higher education. The good news is that Indian universities allow you to apply for a duplicate degree certificate even if you are outside India.

Universities such as Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University and Savitribai Phule Pune University have specific procedures for duplicate degree issuance.

When Is Duplicate Degree Required?

You need to apply for a duplicate degree if:

• Original certificate is lost

• Certificate is damaged or destroyed

• Document was stolen

• You cannot locate it during immigration processing

Universities will not issue another “original,” but they issue a legally valid duplicate copy.

Step-by-Step Process From Abroad

Step 1: File a Police Complaint (If Required)

Many universities require:

• FIR copy (if lost in India)

• Police complaint report (if lost abroad)

This confirms that the document is genuinely missing.

Step 2: Prepare Affidavit for Lost Certificate

The affidavit should include:

• Full name

• Course name

• Year of passing

• Enrollment number

• Statement declaring loss of original certificate

If abroad:

• Notarize at local notary

• Or at Indian Embassy/Consulate

Step 3: Collect Supporting Documents

Keep ready:

• All semester/year mark sheets

• Passport copy

• Enrollment number

• Old photocopy of degree (if available)

• Authorization letter (if someone applies on your behalf in India)

Missing enrollment number may delay the process.

Step 4: Submit Application to University

Application can be:

• Submitted online (if available)

• Submitted offline via authorized representative

• Sent through courier (depending on university rules)

Duplicate issuance fees vary by university.

Step 5: Processing & Verification

University will:

• Verify academic records

• Confirm authenticity

• Print duplicate degree (marked as “Duplicate”)

• Sign and seal officially

Processing time may range from 15–45 working days.

If Records Are Archived

For graduates who passed many years ago:

• Records may be in archive section

• Manual verification required

• Additional time may be needed

Plan early if facing immigration deadlines.

Important Tips

• Ensure name matches passport

• Use correct enrollment number

• Keep multiple copies once received

• Check if apostille or attestation is required

Avoid submitting incomplete documentation, as it can cause rejection.

Conclusion

Handling lost degree certificate cases from abroad is completely possible with proper affidavit, police report, and university coordination. Starting early and submitting accurate documents ensures smoother processing.

NRIWAY assists NRIs worldwide in duplicate degree retrieval, affidavit preparation, university coordination, and document attestation for immigration, WES, and employment purposes.