How to Get Your A Level Certificates

Finishing your A Levels is a huge achievement. Results day in August might feel like the end of the journey, but your results slip isn’t the final piece of the puzzle. To prove your qualifications officially, you’ll need your A Level certificate.

Whether you studied at school, college, through a private exam centre, or online, this guide explains exactly how to get your certificates, what to do if they don’t arrive, and how to order replacements if yours goes missing.

When Are A Level Certificates Issued?

One of the biggest sources of confusion is the difference between results day and when your official certificates are actually released.

On results day in August, you’ll receive a provisional results slip. This is enough to confirm your university place through UCAS, but it isn’t the official certificate you’ll need later for jobs, postgraduate study, or visas.

The official A Level certificates are issued in the autumn term, usually between October and November. This gives you enough time to appeal your A Level results, if you didn’t quite get the A Level results you wanted. At this point, exam boards print and send them to schools, colleges, and private exam centres.

It’s important to note that certificates are never sent directly to you by the exam board. Instead, they always go to the exam centre where you sat your exams, whether that was your school, sixth form, or a private centre. 

That’s why keeping in touch with your exam centre after results day is so significant.

How to Get Your Certificate If You Took A Levels at School or College

If you sat your exams through your school or sixth-form college, here’s what usually happens.

Your exams officer will manage certificates. They’ll either arrange for collection or post them to you.

• Collection in person: If required, you’ll need to bring valid ID (like a passport or driving licence). Some centres also allow a nominated person to collect on your behalf with written permission.

• Posted certificates: If your school posts certificates, make sure your home address is correct before you leave in the summer.

Top tip: update your school with your new address or contact details if you’re moving for university, or use your family home address. That way, nothing goes missing in the post.

How to Get Your Certificate If You Were a Private Candidate

Private candidates (students who sat exams at independent exam centres) get their certificates from their exam centre. Here’s how:

• Contact the exam centre directly in autumn to ask about their collection process.

• Many centres require you to collect in person. They may post certificates, but this often comes with an extra fee.

Remember, it’s your responsibility to chase your certificate. Centres aren’t always obliged to keep them for long. Put a reminder in your calendar for October or November, so you don’t forget to collect your certificate.

What If You Studied A Levels Online?

If you completed your course with an online provider, your certificate still comes from the exam centre where you sat your exams, not the provider itself.

That means you don’t need to contact the online school — they won’t have your certificate. Instead, reach out to the exam centre you registered with.

From there, the process is the same as for private candidates: collection or postage, depending on the centre.

What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your Certificate

If it’s winter, and you still haven’t received your certificate, it can be a little worrying. But, don’t panic, here’s what to do:

1. Check with your exam centre first. They may be holding it for you.
   

2. If the school, college, or exam centre has closed, contact your exam board directly. Provide as much detail as you can, such as:

• Full name (as it appeared on your exam entry)

• Date of birth

• Exam centre number

• Candidate number (found on your statement of entry or results slip)

This makes it easier for the exam board to locate your records quickly.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your certificates will be available either by collection or postage, depending on whether you took your A Levels in school or college, privately, or online.

How to Request a Replacement A Level Certificate

Lost or Damaged Certificates

Exam boards only issue one original certificate, so, it’s important to keep it in a safe place. If yours has been lost, stolen, or damaged, then unfortunately you can’t get a direct duplicate. 

Instead, you can apply for:

• A Certifying Statement of Results (CSOR): This is an official replacement document accepted by universities, employers, and visa authorities.

• A Verification Service: Some boards will send confirmation of your results directly to the institution requesting proof.

Either way, although your original certificate may be lost/damaged, don’t worry — you will be able to evidence your grades to future employers and higher education institutions.

How to Apply

Each exam board has its own application process, usually completed online. Here’s a summary:

For replacement certificates for Scottish qualifications, contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) (opens in a new tab).

It’s important to note that processing can take up to 6 weeks, so apply early if you need your results for a university application, job, or visa deadline. Make sure to keep multiple photocopies and digital scans of your certificate once you receive it — it’ll save stress if the original is ever misplaced in future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my A Level certificate to get into university?

For UK universities, you do not usually need your original A Level certificate, results are verified directly through UCAS. However, for jobs, postgraduate study, or international universities, you’ll almost always need your official certificate.

Can I get a digital copy of my A Level certificate?

Unfortunately, you cannot get a digital copy of your A Level certificates. Exam boards don’t issue digital certificates. A certifying statement of results is the closest option, and can sometimes be sent electronically.

How long do exam centres keep A Level certificates?

Centres are expected to keep certificates for at least 12 months. After that, they may securely destroy them. Don’t leave it too late to collect!

What if I don’t know my exam centre or exam board?

Old emails, statements of entry, or results slips usually list this information. If you can’t find it, contact your school, tutor, or learning provider. As a last resort, you’ll need to contact each exam board with your personal details until the correct records are found.

Final Thoughts

Collecting your A Level certificate might feel like a formality, but it’s one of the most important documents you’ll ever own. Whether you’re applying to university, starting a career, or planning to move abroad, it’s the official proof of your hard work.

The process is usually straightforward, just make sure you stay in touch with your exam centre, collect your certificate on time, and keep it safe. If anything goes wrong, your exam board is there to help.

Treat your certificate like a passport. Store it carefully, scan a copy, and never leave it behind. It’s your ticket to future opportunities.

If you’re planning on resitting your A Levels, even if you’re planning to retake them without going back to school, Save My Exams has all the A Level revision resources you need to get the grades you want.

References

• Get a replacement exam certificate: Who to contact - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

• Don't have old exam certificates? Learn how to get replacements (opens in a new tab)

• Past results and lost certificates (opens in a new tab)

• Replacement documents | Pearson qualifications (opens in a new tab)

• Verifying results – OCR (opens in a new tab)

• Need a replacement certificate or confirmation of results? (opens in a new tab)

• Replacement certificates | CCEA (opens in a new tab)