How to Combine Certificates into One PDF

Many admission and recruitment portals want all your certificates in one PDF under 200 KB or 500 KB. This is the quickest way to do it on a phone or a laptop.

By the GreenPDFs team

Step 1: Photograph each certificate clearly

• Lay the certificate flat on a dark surface in daylight.
• Hold the phone straight above it and fill the frame.
• Don't use the flash, because it causes glare on laminated certificates.

Step 2: Put them in the usual order

Unless your notice says otherwise, this order is common:

1. ID proof (Aadhaar or other)
2. 10th marksheet / certificate (date-of-birth proof)
3. 12th marksheet
4. Degree marksheets and certificate
5. Caste, income, EWS or other category certificates
6. Experience or other certificates

Step 3: Create one PDF

If you have photos, open JPG to PDF, select all of them and put them in order with the arrows. Keep "All images in one PDF", A4 and a small margin.

If you already have PDFs, open Merge PDF, select all the files and put them in order.

Step 4: Fit the portal's size limit

Both tools have a size box. Type the limit, for example 200, before you convert or merge. GreenPDFs compresses the combined file to fit and shows page 1, so you can check that the marks and seals are readable. If they aren't, try black & white in Compress PDF or remove pages the portal doesn't need.

Step 5: Check it before uploading

• Open the PDF and make sure every page is the right way up. You can fix any that aren't with Rearrange and Rotate.
• Confirm that the file size is below the limit.
• If the portal asks for a particular file name, rename the file.

Frequently asked questions

Tools mentioned in this guide