> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Certification Optional Submissions

> Use paid Optional Certification submissions to validate your title against XRs before Final Cert, and reduce risk of first-submission failure.

Optional submissions are a paid testing service provided by XBOX Certification. They provide an opportunity to validate how a title is doing from a Certification perspective before submitting your release candidate build.

Optional submissions are recommended but aren't required. They provide an opportunity to discover show-stopping XR issues ahead of final submission and improve your chances of passing first time. However, optional testing isn't a replacement for good QA which is still essential throughout the development phase.

Optional Certification is a paid service and applies to a single platform or device family that your game supports, for example XBOX Series X|S or PC. If you desire further testing, additional optional submissions can be purchased. A variety of coverage options are available. For more information, see [XBOX Certification Paid Services Program](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-paid-services) documentation.

Optional submissions are only tested in the CERT.DEBUG sandbox. Discs aren't created for optional submissions. Absence of CFRs (Conditions for Resubmission) in the Optional Complete report doesn't mean the title has passed Final Certification. The Optional Complete report is an assessment of where the title is in terms of compliance with XBOX Requirements at that time.

For more information, reach out to your [Microsoft contacts](/publishing/game-publishing/resources/managed-support/overview-microsoft-representatives-and-contacts).


## Related topics

- [Submit game packages for Optional Certification](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-optional-certification.md)
- [Certification step-by-step guide](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-guide.md)
- [Submitting to XBOX certification in Partner Center](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-submitting-to-certification.md)
- [Certification Paid Services Program](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-paid-services.md)
- [XBOX Certification overview](/publishing/certification/overview.md)