Losing or misplacing your GCSE certificates can feel stressful—especially when you need them for a job application, university enrolment, or visa paperwork. Fortunately, getting official proof of your GCSE results is usually straightforward once you know who to contact and what documents you can request.
This guide explains exactly how to obtain your GCSE certificates or secure an official replacement, with clear steps, exam board details, costs, timelines, and practical tips for urgent situations.
• Check whether you already know your exam details (grades and exam board)
• Contact your old school if details are missing
• Apply to the exam board to request an official replacement (usually a certified statement of results)
How to Find Out Your GCSE Results From Years Ago
If you have lost your official GCSE certificate and need formal evidence of your grades, you need to request official documentation from the exam board.
Step 1: Verify your exam details
For students who have taken their exam recently, you can apply directly to the exam board for a certified statement of results without contacting your old school. 1
If your GCSE subjects were awarded by more than one exam board, you would need to apply to each relevant board separately. Each exam board can only provide official proof for the qualifications it awarded.
The main GCSE exam boards in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are:
- AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance)
- Pearson Edexcel
- OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Exams)
- WJEC (Welsh Joint Examinations Committee)
- CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment)
Step 2: Contact your old school
This is highly recommended for students who have left school for a long time and cannot remember which board each subject used.
Be sure to provide these details to help the school staff locate your GCSE records:
- Your full name at the time you sat the exams (including any previous surname)
- Your date of birth
- The year you took your GCSEs
- The GCSE subjects you studied
- Your candidate number (if you still have it)
- Your current contact details
Step 3: Apply through different exam boards
Generally, exam boards do not simply reprint your original GCSE certificate.
Instead, they usually provide official proof of your results through a document such as a Certified Statement of Results, Certifying Statement of Results, or another replacement document. The exact document available depends on the exam board and the qualification.
Here's how the process usually works:
Step 1
Contact your old school (if needed)
If it has been too long and you're confused about the exam boards
Step 2
Apply to the exam board
You can apply directly if you know your exact exam details
Step 3
Receive your official proof of results
Once your application is approved, the exam board will send you the relevant documents
Step 4
Provide it to the organisation requesting proof
Use the document as an official GCSE result proof to universities or organisations
IMPORTANT: While some students today may have a digital copy of their GCSE results slip from a school portal, app, or screenshot, they are not always accepted as official proof of your qualifications.
GCSE Certificates vs Certified/Certifying Statement of Results
Let's be clear about one thing. Your original GCSE certificate is the official document issued by the exam board, usually collected from your school or college after your GCSE results are released.
Can you get replacement GCSE certificates?
Once issued, the GCSE certificate cannot be replaced with another original certificate if it is lost. Most exam boards would provide an official statement of results or equivalent proof of your qualifications, commonly known as a Certified Statement of Results.
Although exam boards use different names for the document, they all serve the same purpose.
- AQA:
Certified Statement of Results2 - OCR:
Certifying Statement of Results3 - Pearson Edexcel:
Certifying Statement of Results (for most GCSE qualifications) 4
- WJEC:
Electronic Letter of Confirmation or Certifying Statement of Results 5 - CCEA:
Certified Statement of Results6
When do you need these different certificates?
The document you need depends on whether you still have your original GCSE certificate and what proof of results the organisation requesting your qualifications accepts.
| Document | Issued by | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Original GCSE certificate | Exam board, usually collected through your school/college | When you still have the original certificate and need official proof of your GCSE qualification. |
| Certified / certifying statement of results | Exam board | When your original GCSE certificate is lost, damaged, unavailable, or you need official confirmation of your GCSE grades. |
| Confirmation letter / Electronic Letter of Confirmation | Exam board, for some boards such as WJEC | When this type of official confirmation is available and accepted by the organisation asking for your GCSE results. |
How to Request Lost GCSE Certificates or Proof of Results From Each Exam Board
A Certified Statement of Results
- Proof of identity
- Name used when you took the exams
- Date of birth
- Exam year
- Qualification details
- Evidence of a name change (if applicable)
- Visit AQA’s Certificate Services page.
- Complete the application form.
- Provide your identification documents.
- Pay the required fee.
- Receive your Certified Statement of Results.
Within 20 working days after receiving the request. Once processed, allow an additional five working days for delivery by post.
A Certifying Statement of Results, a Replacement Certificate (depending on the qualification) or a letter of confirmation
- Proof of identity
- Qualification type
- Exam year
- School/college or exam centre (if known)
- Subjects taken
- Evidence of any name changes, if applicable
- Visit Pearson’s Certificate Services page.
- Complete the replacement documents application.
- Provide your personal and qualification details
- Upload supporting documents if required.
- Pay the application fee.
Wait for your document to be processed.
- Standard applications – 20 working days
- Priority applications – 5 working days
- Customised letters – 30 working days. (all of which exclude delivery time)
A Certifying Statement of Results (CoPR)
- Photo ID showing current name
- Date of birth
- Exam month/year and school details
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- Visit the OCR Certifying Statement of Results application page.
- Prepare your identification documents.
- Complete the online application form.
- Provide your exam details, including your school/college, exam year and month.
- Pay the application fee.
- Wait for OCR to search its records and issue your document.
Standard applications are processed within 7 working days for the provisional route if applied for in time.
- Electronic Letter of Confirmation — an electronic document confirming your qualifications and results. (accepted by universities and employers in the UK)
Certifying Statement of Results (hard copy) — a printed official document confirming your results
- Completed WJEC application form
- Proof of identity
- Details of your qualifications and exam history
- Evidence of any name changes (if your current name differs from your exam records)
- Download and complete the WJEC application form.
- Attach proof of identity.
- Submit the application to WJEC.
- WJEC will provide payment instructions once the application has been processed.
- Receive your Electronic Letter of Confirmation or Certifying Statement of Results
- Electronic Letter of Confirmation: around 2 weeks
- Physical Certifying Statement of Results: around 6 weeks
Certified Statement of Results
- Completed CCEA application form
- Copy of photographic ID
- Additional identification if your name has changed since you took the exams
- Details of your qualifications and exam history
- Download and complete the CCEA replacement certificate / Certified Statement of Results application form.
- Attach copies of the required identification documents.
- Email your completed application and supporting documents to replacementcertificates@ccea.org.uk.
- CCEA will review your application and send payment instructions.
- Receive your replacement document once processing is complete
Allow up to 21 calendar days for processing once CCEA receives a complete application
Meanwhile, explore other options besides GCSE for further studies or employment.
Cost of Requesting Certified/Certififying Statement of Results
Of course, the request for a certified and certifying statement of results is not FOC, and it's also dependent on how urgent you want it.
Let's say the application processing takes about 20 days; we highly encourage you to apply at least four weeks before the date you need your results so that you can plan ahead.
How much does it cost to get GCSE results from years ago?
The cost of getting a replacement of your GCSE results from years ago is generally the same as requesting proof of results for more recent qualifications.
The cost is dependent on these factors:
- The exam board
- The type of document you request
- The number of exam series (specific exam session or sitting)
- The type of application service: standard vs priority service
Now, let's break down different scenarios:
Here's an overview of fee comparison across different exam boards.
| Exam board | Document/service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | Certified Statement of Results | ➡️£50.25 | Covers searches for up to two exam series. |
| Pearson Edexcel | Replacement Certificate / replacement documents | ➡️£58 UK standard replacement certificate; ➡️£80 international standard; ➡️£80 UK priority; £101 international priority; customised letters cost more | Pearson also issues Certifying Statements of Results for GCSEs and other qualifications, depending on what can be provided. |
| OCR | Certifying Statement of Results | ➡️£62 per exam series; fast-track available for an additional £20 + postage | Fast-track details apply to results achieved in or after 2000. |
| WJEC | Electronic Letter of Confirmation / physical Certifying Statement of Results | ➡️£30 for first electronic document + £10 for additional documents; ➡️£40 for first physical document + £20 for additional documents | WJEC processes applications in date order. |
| CCEA | Certified Statement of Results / Replacement Certificate (where eligible) | ➡️£30 for the first examination series requested + £10 for each additional examination series on the same application | Applies where records/eligibility allow. |
Note: Fees could vary and be updated at any time by the exam board. It's best to check their official websites for the latest fees and payment methods.
What to Do If You Need Proof of GCSE Results Urgently
There are a few reasons why you might need proof of your GCSE results urgently. It could be for a university admission, a job offer, or a professional membership registration. Here are two ways to go about it:
Opt for a priority service
(if available)
- Some exam boards do offer a priority service
- The only catch is that it costs a little more
Contact the organisation requesting your GCSE results
- Ask the organisation if they can accept a confirmation letter sent directly from the exam board
- Can be a great lifeline if you need quick proof of your GCSEs when you don't have time to wait for a certified statement of results certificate.
Common Problems When Finding Old GCSE Results (and What to Do)
Finding and verifying your old GCSE results is usually a straightforward process if you know when you took your test, where you took it, and the awarding exam board for the subjects you took.
Here are some common scenarios that most people need assistance with, along with practical solutions.
Scenario 1: My school has closed
Schools are usually your first and direct contact to verify your exam boards or exam year. But if it's closed, you can just apply directly to the exam board if you already know which organisation awarded your GCSEs.
Scenario 2: I took my GCSEs over 20 years ago
Old GCSE records can still be accessed and requested, but the process may take longer. Just make sure you inform the exam board about these details:
Scenario 3: My exam board no longer exists
This could be a tricky one as some exam boards have changed over time through mergers, closures or restructuring.
For those who have taken their GCSEs 10 or 20 years ago, you might want to check which of the older boards’ records are held by which successor awarding bodies. 7
| Old GCSE board | Current body to check | GCSE notes |
|---|---|---|
| AEB | AQA | Old GCSE / school exam records may now sit with AQA. |
| SEG | AQA | Southern Examining Group. |
| SEREB | AQA | South East Regional Examinations Board. |
| SWExB | AQA | South Western Regional Examinations Board. |
| ALSEB | AQA | Associated Lancashire Schools Examining Board. |
| JMB | AQA | Joint Matriculation Board. |
| NEA | AQA | Northern Examining Association. |
| NEAB | AQA | Northern Examinations and Assessment Board. |
| NWREB | AQA | North Western Regional Examining Board. |
| YHREB | AQA | Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Examinations Board. |
| BEC / BTEC / LCCI / LEAG / LREB / M&MREB / TEC / UESEC / ULEAC / ULSEB | Pearson Edexcel | These are the old lines Pearson says may hold GCSE records. |
| EMREB / MEG / OCEAC / OCSEB / RSA / SREB / SUJB / UCLES / UODLE / WMEB | OCR | OCR says it can hold records for these old boards and GCSEs. |
| EAEB | Pearson Edexcel or OCR | Government guidance says either may hold some records. |
Scenario 4: My name has changed since I took my GCSEs
Your official results document will usually be issued in the name you used when you took your GCSE exams. If your name has changed, you'll normally need to provide proof of the change (like a deed poll) when applying.
The name on the document usually remains the same, except in certain cases such as gender reassignment, subject to the exam board's policy.
We hope you have found this article insightful. With the right steps and guidance, you'll be able to get an official proof of your GCSEs with ease.
References
- Get a replacement exam certificate. (n.d.). In GOV.UK. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
- Past results and lost certificates. (2018). Aqa.Org.Uk. https://www.aqa.org.uk/contact-us/certificate-services/past-results-and-lost-certificates
- Replacement certificates - OCR. (2025). In Ocr.org.uk. https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/replacing-lost-certificates/replacement-certificates/
- Replacement documents | Pearson qualifications. (2023). Pearson.Com. https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/Services/certificate-services/replacement-documents.html
- WJEC. (n.d.). APPLICATION FORM – Electronic LETTER OF CONFIRMATION. In WJEC. https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/u1mfzpuk/application-form-electronic-letter-of-confirmation.pdf
- Replacement certificates | CCEA. (n.d.). https://ccea.org.uk/learning-resources/obtaining-replacing-and-updating-certificates
- Government Digital Service. (2013, April 23). Get a replacement exam certificate. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate/if-your-old-exam-board-no-longer-exists
Summarise with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
Please help me I have lost my General Certificate Examination certificate (GCE) and would like a replacement but is unable to find information where this can be done. Any information of how I can achieve this would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Please help me I have lost my General Certificate Examination certificate (GCE) and would like a replacement but is unable to find information where this can be done. Any information of how I can achieve this would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
This is all based on you actually having certificates in the first place. I have recently joined a masters degree course for which we are all required to have a C in GCSE Maths and English. Over 50% of us never received a certificate when we did exams or did a different qualification (which happens not to be on their list) and so have been told we have to do a remedial course instead. Amongst those of us that persevered are a journalist and a maths teacher, but we are all now sitting through a course which is similar to SPAG at primary school, paid for by tax payers’ money. Therefore, the consequences are:
1. Capable and qualified students do not enrol on courses, depriving the universities of fees and society of the skills they would acquire.
2. Students have to undertake superfluous courses at tax payers’ expense, which leads to lower overall motivation and a general waste of resources.
3. We have more bureaucracy, therefore reducing national productivity.
How do i research for a gcse certificate for 1979
Did you get this sorted out? Thanks
Gcse didnt start until after this
Can anyone advise me who I can ring for old a levels . My school has gone now thanks
Hi,
I have finished year 11 and took my GCSEs , however I need my gcse certificates for my college but I haven’t received them yet? How can I get them given to me? Or how do I go about this situation?
I’m in the same situation I did my GCSEs in 2021 so I think we will have to get in contact with our schools and hope we can get them
I never attended to collect my results could you send me a copy via email thanks
Carl Mumford
Hartshill high school
Cv10 0na
Hey I would like to know if possible I can get my gcse results on the behalf of my self if some one could help with that I would love to hear back about getting them acceptable for my self
Appreciate any response back on my behalf
Took my gcse in 2021, have misplaced my grades certificate. Can you please advise how to get a replacement as I’m hoping to join metropolitan police on an apprenticeship,and I need proof of grades.
Thank you.
Stephen.
I’m trying to find out my exams results from 1979
Im 60 years old can’t even remember if I took any GCSEs but if I did it would have been at,
Bell Vue Girls Grammer School, as it was then in Bradford, around the 1990s.
How do I find out please ?
Regards.
If you’re 60 years old you wouldn’t have taken GCSEs as they didn’t exist until the 1980s. Prior to that it was GCEs & prior to that it was O Levels
I have lost my plumbing certificates can you please help me at Aberdeen technical college
Hi ,
I have lost my gcse exam . I did my gcse in 1999. I need proof for my work.
i completed my GCSE in 2022, have lost my certificate and need my results to enrol in further education . please could you help me find them
Thanks for reaching out! To obtain your GCSE results from 2022, follow these steps:
Contact Your School: Reach out to the school where you completed your GCSEs. They often keep records and can provide you with a copy of your results or a statement of results.
Contact the Exam Board: Identify the exam board that administered your GCSEs (e.g., AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel) and request your results from them. They usually have a process for requesting duplicate certificates.
Check Online: Some exam boards offer online services where you can request and download your results.
If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!
I have lost my gcse results I would like a new copy please
Hi Callum! Thanks for getting in touch! Do you know what exam board you did your GCSEs for? If so you can contact them directly to ask for a replacement certificate. If you’re not sure which exam board, you can get in touch with your school or college who should be able to help you out. Best of luck!
I am trying to get my English teacher certificate so I can start my qtls. I left riddlesdown school in purley 32 years ago please help.
Hi Joanne! Thanks for getting in touch! Have you tried to contact your school to ask which exam board to contact about your exams?
I have lost my GCSE Urdu Certificate in Howden Clough High School, and I had Grade (D) in Urdu Examination, so please tell me how to get my replacement Certificate? And also send me free in post to my Address please. How much is it for my replacement of my URDU Certificate in UK. Please reply ASAP about this immediately.
Hi Saikah. Thanks for reaching out. Please get in touch directly with your high school regarding which exam board to contact to get a replacement GCSE exam certificate. Best of luck!
Hi, I really think I need a new copy of all my gcses. As I don’t have the original copy anymore they’ve been lost or stolen 😕 how do I go about applying for another copy of all my gcses if I don’t know the exam board that processed them. I have city and guilds in my head but not 100% sure. Will u please email me more information please
Many thanks
Hazel Taylor 💕
Hi Hazel! Thanks for getting in touch! You can reach out to the school or college where you wrote your GCSE’s who should be able to tell you which exam board to contact to obtain your GCSE’s. Best of luck :)
Please can I request my English and maths GCSE I sat these in 1996. I am unsure where to even start?!
Many thanks
Hi Neressa. To request your 1996 English and Maths GCSE results, you’ll need to contact the exam board that issued them. If you’re unsure of the board, try reaching out to your former school for guidance. The exam board’s website should have a process for obtaining past results. If you need more help, feel free to ask!
Hi, I lost my GCSE certs that were issued in 1996 & my secondary school no longer exists. To add to this my certificates were in a different surname (this was due to my mothers married name and was never legally mine) I therefore am unable to provide documentation to prove my previous surname.. I hope someone can advise
Hi Jodie! I’d encourage you to get in touch with your secondary school to advise you what would be the best course of action in this case. If your surname is different, this shouldn’t be an issue, you may just need to provide justification of your change of name. Best of luck!
How do I get my maths GCSE certificate from 2017
How do I get my GCSE grade back if I don’t know the grade system they were under?
Great question! 😊 If you’re unsure about the grading system used when you took your GCSEs, don’t worry—when you contact the exam boards for a replacement certificate, they should be able to help you determine your grade. Just provide as much information as you can, and they’ll guide you from there! 📜✨
Hi, I’m desperately trying to get hold of my GCSE results from around 2006 but my school ( Lubavitch Senior Girls School) is absolutely useless and refuses to assist me. I don’t know what to do because I can’t progress in my academic or work career. Please can you assist me.
Hi Chaya! I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble retrieving your GCSE results. If your school isn’t able to help, you can contact the exam boards directly. Since you took your exams around 2006, your results would likely be with one of the main UK exam boards: AQA, Edexcel (Pearson), OCR, or WJEC.
You can apply for a certified statement of results from the relevant exam board by providing details like your name, date of birth, school, and the year you sat the exams. If you’re unsure which board you used, try checking old school records or contacting past classmates.
Here’s a helpful guide with links to each exam board’s process: https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your academic and career goals! 😊
Hi it’s Hristiyan miroslavov emilov I’ve lost my gcse results and diplomas
From my 11th year unit
May i get help
Hi Hristiyan. Thanks for getting in touch! If you’ve lost your gcse results and diplomas, the first step would be to get in touch with your school or college to request if they have them on file or if they can let you know which exam board you wrote for each subject. Then you’d need to contact the exam board to request your diplomas and results. Best of luck to you!
Help me I’ve misplaced my exam results from Northampton school for girls and I need them as soon as possible
Hi Lynette! Thanks for getting in touch. The best thing to do in this case, would be to contact Northampton School for Girls to ask if they have your certificates and if they can share the exam boards with you. Thank you!
M very stressed i hv lost my gcse olevel certificate last month about this… Could u pls gv any online form so that i would get my certificate.. Pls its verry serious
Hi Ima,
Very sorry to hear that you’ve lost your certificate! The first thing you would need to do in this case, is to contact your secondary school where you wrote your gcse exams to ask which exam board you wrote your exams under. You can then contact the exam board directly to obtain your certificate.
Best of luck!
hi i need to find my exam results from 1981 my school has be renamed as another school now I don’t know how to get them ?
Hi! If your school has been renamed or merged, you can usually still access your exam results by contacting the local education authority or the exam board that issued the results at the time. Try reaching out to:
The exam board for your qualification (e.g., GCSE, O-Level, A-Level)
The local council or education department where your school was located
Any alumni or records office connected to the current school
They should be able to guide you on how to request a copy of your results. Make sure to have your full name, date of birth, and the year you sat the exams ready, as this will speed up the process.
Please help me I lost my aqua level 3 when I was younger and I’m trying get a job
Hi Sarah. Thanks for your comment! If you’ve lost your certificate, you can usually request a replacement or a statement of results directly from your school or the exam board, which most employers will accept while you wait.
Hello Vanessa, I need to get an attestation of my 2010 WASSCE results, but I don’t even remember the index number. What do I do ?
Hi! If you’ve lost your index number, you can still request an attestation from WAEC. Try reaching out to the WAEC office where you sat your exams—they can usually trace your record using your full name, date of birth, and exam year.