A certified bank statement is printed on the bank's official letterhead with a branch seal and the signature of an authorized officer. It carries more weight than a downloaded PDF for official purposes.
Where to get it
Visit your home branch (where the account was opened). Bring your passbook and a photo ID. Request a "certified account statement" for the period you need. Some banks have a dedicated counter for this. Others ask you to submit a written request and return the next day.
Cost and turnaround
Most banks charge Rs 50-500 for a certified statement depending on the number of pages and the period. SBI typically charges Rs 50-100. Private banks like HDFC and ICICI charge Rs 200-500. Processing takes 1-3 working days at most branches.
When a downloaded PDF is accepted
Many lenders and employers now accept digitally downloaded statements without a physical seal. HDFC Bank, for example, has a verification mechanism for its e-statements. Check with the institution asking for the statement whether a digital copy with a bank reference number is sufficient before making a branch visit.
Apostille and notarisation
For visa applications to some countries, the certified statement may need to be apostilled (authenticated by the government) or notarised by a certified notary. This is a separate step from the bank certification itself and adds cost and time.
Related reading: Bank Statement for Visa Applications, Bank Statement for Home Loan, Bank Statement Data Security Best Practices.