Last updated: 29 July 2026
Quick Answer: A gap certificate is a notarised self-affidavit on ₹10-₹100 stamp paper that states the exact dates of your break and the reason for it. You draft it, print it on stamp paper, and sign it before a notary public who attests it. No government office issues it; your institution or employer accepts the notarised affidavit, usually the same day.
To get a gap certificate, an affidavit needs to be written sharing your education and work gap information. This affidavit needs to be stamped on a non-judicial stamp paper and needs to be notarized. The gap certificate is not issued by any government body. It remains a self-declaration on the part of the signatory whose signature is authenticated by a notary. Following this, the concerned educational institution or employer will accept the notarized affidavit.
Gap Certificate at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What it is | A self-declared affidavit explaining a break in studies or employment |
| Who issues it | No government body; you declare it and a notary public attests your signature |
| Stamp paper | Non-judicial stamp paper, typically ₹10-₹100 (varies by state) |
| Where it is accepted | Colleges, universities, competitive exam boards, and employers |
| Timeline | Usually the same day, once the notary attests it |
| Cost | Stamp paper plus a notary attestation fee, together roughly ₹50-₹200 |
How Do I Get a Gap Certificate Step by Step?
If you want to obtain the gap certificate, following a few simple steps is needed, such as getting an affidavit prepared, purchasing stamp paper, and having the affidavit notarized. It can be done within a day if you have a notary around.
- Draft the affidavit. Write a short statement in the first person giving your full name, address, the qualification you last completed, the exact gap period with start and end dates, and the reason for the gap. Keep it factual and honest.
- Buy non-judicial stamp paper. Purchase stamp paper of the value your institution asks for, usually ₹10, ₹20, ₹50 or ₹100. You can buy physical stamp paper from a licensed vendor or generate an electronic stamp through the government-authorised e-stamping service run by StockHolding Corporation of India, where it is available.
- Notarise it. Take the printed affidavit and a photo identity document to a notary public. Sign the affidavit in front of the notary, who then attests it with a seal and signature. This notarised page is your gap certificate.
Can I Get It Done Without Visiting a Notary?
If you do not wish to meet up with a vendor or a notary, it is advisable to opt for our online affidavit preparation service. The service assists you in preparing and getting notarized the most commonly used affidavits.
What Should the Gap Certificate Format Include?
A gap certificate should include such information as your personal information, the gap time, and the reason so that no additional questions arise in the mind of the reader. Writing is simple but it is necessary that all details are accurate and correspond with any attachments sent with it, such as previous grade reports.
- Your details: full name, parent's name, and residential address.
- Last qualification: the course or class you completed and the year.
- Gap period: the precise start and end dates of the break.
- Reason for the gap: health, family responsibility, exam preparation, employment, or another genuine cause.
- Declaration line: a statement that the above is true to the best of your knowledge.
- Signature block: your signature, the place and date, and space for the notary's seal.
Where Can I See a Sample Format?
The wording is largely like that used in other self-declarations, such as the affidavit you sign when your name is changed in the records. You can look up a sample name change affidavit to get an idea of how the signature and declaration sections would be.
Is a Gap Certificate an Affidavit or a Self-Declaration?
A gap certificate is known as a simple declaration but it transforms into an affidavit with the signing of the notary on the stamp paper. A simple declaration is not thus powerful as an affidavit. If a declaration is printed and executed on a non-judicial stamp paper, then this declaration becomes an affidavit. Therefore, the reason why colleges and employers require a notarized gap affidavit instead of an unsigned gap certificate.
What Does a Gap Certificate Cost and How Long Does It Take?
The overall costs for obtaining a gap certificate require only negligible amount of cash through which you receive the certificate on the date of your application. Being done with the gap certificate application, one has to bear only the costs of stamp paper or notary public.
| Item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Non-judicial stamp paper | ₹10 to ₹100, depending on the value asked for |
| Notary attestation fee | ₹30 to ₹100, varying by notary and location |
| Total cost | Roughly ₹50 to ₹200 |
| Time to obtain | Same day, once the notary attests your signature |
Why Is There No Waiting Time?
Since there are no government approvals or lead times required, the timing of meeting with the notary is just an issue of logistics. It should be noted that the figures mentioned here are only approximate measurements of stamp duty and notary fees and that they vary from one jurisdiction to another.
Is a Gap Certificate Different for Studies Versus a Job?
For educational purposes as well as for employment utilization, the document is essentially the same, with the difference lying in the reason and the phrasing. In the application, the gap between two courses or between the university and the school is indicated, and the affidavit mentions the last examination you take and the years which are absent. However, when it comes to employment, it can be an explanation of the gap between two jobs or after graduation.
What Extra Documents Help After a Career Break?
The Ministry of Labour and Employment runs the National Career Service (NCS) portal, which helps create a strong record of job search. This is essential to fulfill the requirements of employers, especially when applying after a career break. Documents needed for this break include a leaving certificate or transfer certificate from school and a character certificate that would be requested by the college, apart from the gap affidavit.
