If an institution asks for a certified true copy of your SEC certificate, ask it which forms of verification it accepts and who it authorises to certify copies. SEAB says it does not endorse or certify true copies of national examination certificates.
SEAB points candidates with eligible past results to verifiable digitised records. Its current past-results page lists PSLE and GCE coverage. Check your SEC cohort’s results instructions for the documents and formats available to you.
- Ask whether the institution accepts an official digital record.
- Keep your original certificate intact.
- Confirm who may certify a paper copy if the institution requires one.
What to ask the institution
An admissions office might use the term certified copy in its general checklist but accept a verifiable digital file for certain qualifications. Give the office the full qualification name and examination year. Ask which file to submit and whether it has instructions specific to Singapore-issued results.
How a recipient can verify a digital file
For results issued in OpenCerts format, SEAB directs recipients to verify the original file through OpenCerts. Preserve the original file. If an application portal accepts only PDF files, ask the receiving office how it wants to receive the file for verification.
Frequently asked questions
Can my school certify a copy?
Ask the recipient whether it accepts school certification and ask your school whether it provides that service.
What if I have lost the paper certificate?
Check SEAB’s retrieval guidance and ask the recipient which available record it can use as evidence.