> ## 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.

# Submit game packages for Optional Certification

> Submit game packages for Optional Certification in Partner Center, including selecting a tier, completing the questionnaire, and PO guidance.

Use the steps and recommendations in this topic to successfully submit your packages to Optional Certification. If you have issues or questions, speak to your XBOX contacts.

## Optional Certification submission process

1. Inform your XBOX contacts that you intend to submit a package for Optional Certification, and confirm the desired tier of testing. Your XBOX contacts can confirm the pricing for the chosen service, and provide guidance about submitting a Purchase Order (PO).
   * For more information, see [Certification Paid Services](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-paid-services).

2. Complete the *Certification Questionnaire* under **Supplemental info** > **Certification.**
   * If you don't have final confirmation of the game content at the Optional Certification stage, answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. We recommend that you review and edit the questionnaire after this content is complete.
   * For more information, see [Supplemental info - Certification](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-supplemental-info#certification).

3. Upload any other submission materials in the **Supplemental info** > **Files** section. Provide any documentation that might be useful for the test team, including:
   * Known issues
   * Achievements guide
   * Walkthrough
   * Previous Certification response report
   * For more information, see [Supplemental info - Files](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-supplemental-info#files).

4. Complete the [**Properties**](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-properties) module. Specifically, make sure that the **Basic Info** section is completed, including providing a **Privacy Policy URL**.

5. Complete the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) questionnaire in the [**Age Ratings**](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-set-age-ratings) module. If you have an age rating issued directly by a ratings authority, override the IARC rating and upload the age rating certificate.
   * If the game content changes after you submit the game for Optional Certification, update your answers in the IARC ratings questionnaire to ensure that accurate age ratings are acquired. Don't submit placeholder answers in the IARC questionnaire.

6. Upload your *Base Packages*, and any required *Market-Specific Packages*, in the [**Packages**](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-package) module.
   * XVC, EKB, and Submission Validator output are required. We recommend providing your .zip folder of symbol files for enhanced crash reporting.

<Note>
  If you previously published packages for a pre-order, we recommend uploading your builds to a branch other than Main, and certifying from this new branch. This step prevents the need for you to override the pre-order packages in the Main branch.

  If multiple platform packages are published for pre-order, import your pre-order packages to the branch you intend to submit for Optional Certification. Replace the pre-order package for each platform you're submitting and leave any other packages untouched. When you submit, only the new packages are tested.
</Note>

7. After the status shows as *Complete* at the top of the **Packages** page, select [**Certify**](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-certify-a-game).

8. Select the source you want for the XBOX services gameplay settings.

9. Select the checkbox for **Optional certification (feedback only)**.

10. In **Notes for Certification** include any information that would be useful to the test team.

11. Select **Submit to certification**.

<Note>
  The **Game Overview** page doesn't show the publishing progress to Certification for Optional submissions. To view the current Certification status, go to the Packages module. If you have any questions about the timing or status of your submission, speak to your XBOX contacts.
</Note>

### Updating XBOX services in CERT.DEBUG

If you're submitting your game for certification for the first time, or if you updated your XBOX services gameplay settings since your previous submission, manually publish the XBOX gameplay settings to the CERT.DEBUG sandbox.

1. Go to the **XBOX services** > **Gameplay settings** page for your product. Select the source sandbox that you selected in the Certify workflow for the packages.

2. Select **Review and Publish** to publish your XBOX services gameplay settings to the CERT.DEBUG sandbox destination.

## Providing add-on content alongside your base package

To provide game add-ons for XBOX Certification for testing alongside the game, complete the following steps for each add-on that you want to include in the submission. You should also list each add-on in the **Notes to certification** section when you submit your game.

1. Complete **Properties.**
2. Complete **Age Ratings** for Durables.
3. Complete **Store Listings** for at least one language.
4. Select at least one market in the **Pricing and Availability** module. We recommend you select all of the markets that the game is available in.
5. Select the **Certify** option when it appears at the top of the **Overview** page.

<Note>
  The base game package must be submitted to Certification by using the Certify workflow before any add-ons can be submitted.
</Note>

## Receiving Certification reports

During and after the Certification process, you might receive updates from your XBOX contacts about the status of your submission. These updates might include:

* Build Verification Test (BVT) pass/fail results
* Hold notifications that are blocking testing from proceeding
* General questions
* Certification reports

Most in-test queries are sent via email. Your Certification reports might be provided in a .docx format via email, and in all cases are available directly in Partner Center. Issues that must be fixed in your next submission will be marked as **CFR** (Condition for Resubmission) or **Pass with required fix**.

## Next steps

With your game packages submitted for Optional review, you might be ready for Final Certification, or you might continue configuring your product's settings.

* [Submit to Certification](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-submitting-to-certification)
* [Manage Packages](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/packages-overview)
* [Configure Properties](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/properties-overview)
* [Configure Age Ratings](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/age-ratings)
* [Configure Store Listings](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/store-listing)
* [Configure Pricing and Availability](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/availability/availability-overview)
* [Configure Gaming Metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/metadata-overview)

## See also

* [Certification step-by-step guide](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-guide)
* [Certification optional submissions](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-optional-submissions)


## Related topics

- [Submit game packages for Final Certification](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-disc-and-digital-certification.md)
- [Certify a game](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-certify-a-game.md)
- [Submitting to XBOX certification in Partner Center](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-submitting-to-certification.md)
- [XBOX game publishing overview](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/overview.md)
- [Packages](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/game-package-management.md)