Lodges are required to grant Certificates free of charge to members or former members under specific conditions. A current member receives a Certificate confirming their membership status and any outstanding debts to the Lodge. A former member receives a Certificate detailing the circumstances of their departure—whether by resignation under Rule 183 or exclusion—along with information on any debts owed at that time and whether they have been settled. If a Brother is under suspension, this status must also be included in the Certificate. Certificates must be dated and, if not delivered in person, sent via registered post marked ‘Private and Confidential’. No other types of Certificates may be issued, particularly to individuals who have been expelled or resigned under former Rule 277A or those subject to disciplinary provisions outlined in Paragraph 6 of the Schedule.
December 4th, 2025
February 10th, 2026
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A Lodge shall grant a Certificate free of charge to a Brother whenever required by him in each of the following cases: (i) When he is a member of the Lodge, a Certificate to that effect and stating (if such be the case) that he is not indebted to the Lodge; and (ii) When he has been but is no longer a member of the Lodge, a Certificate stating whether he ceased to be a member by resignation under Rule 183 or by exclusion, giving the date and circumstances thereof, and stating whether he was at the time indebted to the Lodge and, if so, whether and at what time such indebtedness was discharged by him. If a Brother is under suspension, such information shall be included in the Certificate issued under this Rule. The Certificate shall be dated, and, unless handed to the Brother himself, shall be transmitted by registered post, the envelope being plainly marked on the outside ‘Private and Confidential’. Except as provided by this Rule no Lodge shall grant a Certificate of any kind to a Brother. In particular, a Brother who has been expelled from the Craft, who has resigned from the Craft under the former Rule 277A or to whom Paragraph 6 of the Schedule of Disciplinary Provisions applies shall not be granted a Certificate.