Can You Get a Replacement for a Lost IELTS Certificate?

General Regulations on IELTS Certificates and Test Report Forms

The IELTS certificate, also known as the Test Report Form (TRF), is the official document issued after completing an IELTS exam organized by IDP or the British Council. This certificate confirms the candidate’s test results and is valid for 2 years from the test date.

The IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) contains important information such as:

• Overall Band Score: A score from 1 to 9 representing your English proficiency level.
• Individual Skill Scores: Scores for each of the Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing sections.
• Candidate Personal Details: Full name, date of birth, candidate number, etc.
• Exam Information: Test date, test center location, etc.

Candidates typically receive only one original copy of this certificate, which is a crucial document for submitting applications to schools, companies, or organizations requiring proof of English proficiency. According to regulations, IELTS testing organizations (IDP and the British Council) only issue one original TRF to the candidate and do not provide replacements if the original is lost.

However, candidates can request additional copies of their score report to be sent directly to organizations that require IELTS results, though they cannot receive a duplicate copy for personal use.

Can I get a replacement for a lost IELTS certificate?

If you lose your original IELTS certificate, it is generally not possible to request a new original. However, IDP and the British Council allow candidates to request Additional Test Report Forms (ATRF) to be sent directly to organizations requiring the results. This ensures that candidates can still provide the necessary information to relevant parties without needing the original document in hand.

Please note that these additional copies are sent exclusively to designated schools, agencies, or organizations and are not sent to the candidate personally to prevent misuse.

Process and Fees for Requesting Additional IELTS Score Reports

When you need to send your IELTS results to an organization, you can follow these steps to request an additional score report:

Step 1: Contact your IELTS test center

First, you should contact the IELTS test center where you registered for your exam (IDP or the British Council) for specific guidance on the procedure for requesting additional score reports. Contact information is typically available on their official websites.

Step 2: Provide detailed information

When requesting an additional score report, you will need to provide the following details:

• Name of the receiving organization: For example, the name of the university or employer.
• Mailing address: The specific address of the receiving organization to ensure accurate delivery.
• Institution code (if applicable): Some educational institutions have a specific code that you should verify before submitting your request.

Step 3: Pay the service fee

Each request for an additional score report incurs a service fee. According to 2024 updates, the current fees are:

• 150,000 VND for each score report sent domestically.
• 1,280,000 VND for each score report sent internationally.

For detailed information regarding service fees related to additional score reports, you can view them here.

Costs may vary depending on the shipping method (express or standard). Therefore, candidates should confirm the specific fees with their test center in advance.

Step 4: Processing time

Once your request for an additional score report is confirmed, the test center will process and dispatch it within 3–5 business days for domestic delivery and 7–14 business days for international delivery. The actual arrival time depends on the courier service you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions about IELTS Score Reports

• Can I receive an additional copy of my IELTS score report for personal use?

No. Organizations only send additional score reports directly to the requesting institutions, schools, or agencies; they are not issued to individuals. This policy ensures security and prevents misuse.

• Do the fees for additional score reports change?

Fees may change based on the policies of IDP and the British Council, as well as the shipping method. The current fee is 150,000 VND for domestic delivery and 1,280,000 VND for international delivery, but you should check the official website for the most up-to-date pricing.

• Does losing my certificate affect my study or job applications?

If your certificate is still valid, losing it will not significantly affect you, as you can still request additional score reports to be sent directly to the requesting organization. However, if your certificate has expired, you cannot request additional score reports and may need to retake the test if the organization requires a valid certificate.

• How long does it take to receive an additional score report?

Additional score reports are typically dispatched within 3–5 business days for domestic delivery and 7–14 business days for international delivery. The time it takes to receive them depends on the destination and the courier service.

• Can I request an additional score report if my certificate has expired?

No. If your certificate is more than 2 years old, IELTS testing organizations will not issue additional score reports because the test results are no longer valid.