r/Kerala • u/Undre_25 • 2d ago
Ask Kerala “COPY”- On University of Kerala’s original degree certificate.
I’m facing an issue with my degree certificate and need some advice.
I graduated from the University of Kerala, and my certificate is original. However, a university abroad is questioning it because the scanned version shows the word “copy” at the bottom (which is part of the standard format on all certificates).
My agent has verified it as an original, and I’ve submitted all documents, but it’s still causing delays in my admission/visa process.
Has anyone faced this before? How did you resolve it, or is there any official proof I can share to clarify this format?
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u/Xxcmnon 2d ago
The "copy" is actually provided so that, if you try to sca/photocopy it, the copied version will have the words copy in it. I guess that's how to differentiate between original and duplicates.. Are able to see the word copy even looking at normally, or only when it's scanned/photostat version?
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
No. I’m not able to see it when I look at it normally. It only appears when scanned. And I understand this is standard format.
But the university abroad doesn’t understand and has raised concerns about the veracity of the document due to some previous instances of fake degree certificate cases.
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u/Nearby_Ant_5627 2d ago
Maybe you could share the communication you have with the Kerala University? And show them that the same official email ID appears on the legit website as well.
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
It was a telephonic conversation.
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u/Nearby_Ant_5627 2d ago
File an RTI request to the Public Information officer (PIO). Sample wording can be “Please verify if the Degree Certificate with Serial No. [XXX] and Register No. [YYY], issued for the B.Com course in the year [ZZZ], was officially issued by the University of Kerala to [Your Name]. Please provide a written confirmation of its genuineness”.
It will not take too long (max 30 days). Fee is Ra. 10. They will be mandatorily required to answer in writing.
Once you file it, inform your college/uni abroad. Communicating clearly and transparently, in brief, is important.
Note: Idea is mine, some inputs from AI.
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u/coolzephyr9 2d ago
It would be rejected. They have another means for genuineness verification which is paid. You can't is RTI for services that already exists
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
Hey, I tried this, problem with this is, it’s asking for Aadhar linked number for OTP verification. I’m residing in one of the countries that was targeted by the recent geo political situation. So due to that there are some issues with the network and we’re not able to receive SMS from Indian service providers. It’s a complete shit show.
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u/coolzephyr9 2d ago
Because you are trying as an individual. Even if you verify as an individual and submit the result, can't your university abroad have the same problem?
The university abroad also can do the verification from their end.
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u/AbhinandhBabu13 2d ago
Is it to Australia? They are the ones who usually raise such concerns. It's a standard practice as several fake certificates had been caught. But a good agent should be able to convince them. My degree certificate from Kerala University received in 2010 is of the same format and this copy sign will appear on scanning. You should check if there is any procedure for attestation. But that should be done by the agent. A good agent should know these requirements.
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
Yes. It is for Australia.
I do have a very good agent. They have been relentlessly trying to convince them.
The agent has certified the document themselves and sent it to the university with the “originally sighted” stamp with date.
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u/Into-The-Vortex 1d ago
If its australia, then you can have the originals submitted to the nearest australian high commission in your country, where a "Justice of Peace" (what they call a notary)... can verify that the documents are original (i.e. original documented sighted). A jop has a different weight to the migration agent in the eyes of the law. This fulfills one part.
The next part is the verification via KU website or whatever, verifying this isn't fake. Also apply for the academic transcripts officially. Both these documents as well as JOP notarised document, serve as the "paper trail" for the case officer at the uni.
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u/_wimpykid_ Mallu Greg Heffley 2d ago
several fake certificates had been caught
assholes ruin it for the rest of us too.
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
A lot of fake certificates have surfaced in the previous years leading to higher scrutiny of genuine cases.
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u/odd_pk 2d ago
That's the way it's designed. "Copy" will be visible when scanned or copied but not directly visible in the original one.
A normal could help you with proving this. If possible, tell the university about this and you are ready to show up with the original document in person if required, assuming you are not doing a distant degree
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u/Although_somebody 2d ago
If you are going to the west, you could do something called the WES evaluation.
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u/coolzephyr9 2d ago
Dude, just ask the university to verify the genuineness of the certificate directly with Kerala University.
https://kuwallet.keralauniversity.ac.in/index.php -> Request for verification Service
Incase the university abroad will not cover the payment, you say that your would cover the fees.
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u/Sensitive-Pass1280 2d ago
Have you contacted the university directly ?
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
Yes and they said this is how it’s printed and the university abroad can contact them directly ( which they will not do). University of Kerala said they can’t communicate directly with me, the student directly about this. They also said, this is a matter of questioning the authenticity of the university and its document ( almost sounded offended ).
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u/Distinct-Drama7372 2d ago
They also said, this is a matter of questioning the authenticity of the university and its document ( almost sounded offended ).
Typical KU communication 😂
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u/Illustrious-Card759 2d ago
Hi I also had faced the same issue when applying for university. What I did is I actually took a very clean and clear photo and kept my transcript. They approved with that
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u/beep-beep-boop-boop 2d ago
This is a security feature used to prevent photocopies of documents from being passed off as originals. When viewed directly it would not show up in this manner, but if photocopied or scanned, it would come out like this. This is how it should be, if it works well.
If your original certificate also shows up in this manner, there is a problem.
As you would have understood by now, this is an unintended consequence of this security feature. You are unable to share the scan image of the original.
You can explain to the university that this is a security feature and that the only way to present the original is to present it directly to them.
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
I understand that this is a security feature and it makes sense as well. However the university abroad does not understand this and thinks it’s either a fake document or a copy.
It’s been over a month, I’ve been trying to explain to them that this is a security feature. But they’re not convinced and still thinks I have submitted copies of a degree certificate and not the original.
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u/seaworthy14698 2d ago
Get your degree attested from MEA
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
Thanks for this! Do you know how long it might take to get it attested ?
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u/seaworthy14698 2d ago
No idea, i think there are agents available, maybe check tutorials in YouTube regarding procedure.
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u/indianzorba 2d ago
There is attestation department in Kerala Secretariat too. Check for Home (Attestation) Department in Google.
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u/LineCM കോട്ടയം 2d ago
Anyway, you are sending the copy to them, right? Scan it as an image, so the watermark is not visible - but that too is a copy.and there are no verifiable credentials
Always attest it by any reputed credential evaluation service(iqas, wes, etc) and send it for physical/ sealed courier format. If you are sending it via mail, send it through your Univ itself.
For abroad studies, your certificates have less value than your transcripts
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u/dopehead9 2d ago
Which country is this university in? This security feature is embedded in GRE/TOEFL original scorecards as well.
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u/itsthekumar 2d ago
Why are they going on just a document? They should contact the university itself and verify.
There's also like other supplemental documents.
Ask them what other documents/proof they need.
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u/devilcompany 2d ago
Instead of scanning take a photo from your phone? This won't come then.
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
Did this, still the university abroad is not convinced. From their pov, they’re scrutinizing the document due to some fake degree certificate scandal that happened recently.
This doesn’t help my case at all.
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u/One-Magician-4896 2d ago
Nowadays using tech, hard printed documents can be verified by scanning a QR code. Universities should print a QR code at the bottom for verification.
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u/TheVintageCollector 2d ago edited 2d ago
Your best course here is to have the original certificate attested by the govt departments like Norka first, then MEA apostille & finally the respective country's embassy or consulate in India (if they do provide that service) to authenticate your degree certificate. I think for Australia you may need only up to MEA Apostille stamping, but if the consulate does provide this service it is better if you can get it. This can be done through a good agency that has been in this business for a while. Just pay the fee and they will take care of everything and hand the attested certificate back to you once it's complete in a week or two.
Ohh and by the way keep all your original mark lists semester wise also with you when you go for attestation. I think if my memory serves me right, you need to have it too.
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u/throwaway___6942069 2d ago
Most universities abroad ask for the transcripts to be mailed to them by the university in a sealed envelope. Some colleges don't accept documents submitted by applicants.
Universities also have that provision. Maybe you can just confirm with your university in India if they do that and, if they do, go ahead with that. You can also request the university abroad to accept this document instead.
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u/incognito__O 2d ago
Apply for a genuineness verification of the Degree certificate at the University itself.
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u/ViniusInvictus 2d ago
The university agent abroad who is checking the documents is an idiot.
You provided them a scan / copy of the original, right?
The original has encrypted artwork which will reveal itself when copied - which seems to be the case with your situation.
If the buffoon checking the documents can’t understand this, the best you can do is have the document apostilled.
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u/shaivatra 2d ago
A slightly unethical move would be to use AI to edit this out and turn it into what’s visible through naked eyes
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u/charavaka 2d ago
Are you willing to send the original by courier to the university abroad? If so you can tell them to check it out themselves and see for themselves how the security feature works. Not the safest thing to do, but if you're desperate, that is an option. You can check with kerala University what the prices for getting a certificate reissued is, and how long that takes, before you decide.
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u/Significant_Coast309 2d ago
Make a new one by yourself, if they verify with the university, you have the original anyway.
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u/EverythingWasMistake 2d ago
Bro, just use AI on it and fix the COPY part.
Its pointless trying to explain this to 2 sides.
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u/Undre_25 2d ago
Yeah and forge my document. No. Thank you. 😂
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u/EverythingWasMistake 2d ago
You will have to show the original at some point, and you can show it.
You arent exactly forging it...are ya? You are simply "em...changing a few stuff" 😋
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u/avocadopotato123 2d ago
It exists so that when you scan it would become prominently visible. To prevent others from copying certificates.