What is a certified copy document?

If you cannot provide an original copy of a document, certain professionals may sign and date a copy as a true copy of the original. Such a document is known as a ‘certified copy’.

To have a document certified, you must present the original document and a copy to an authorised professional and ask them to: 

• Write ‘Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me’ on the copy
• Sign and date the copy
• Print their name under the signature Include their occupation, address and telephone number

Certified documents that include details that are not written clearly or readable may be not be accepted. Your document must be certified by a professional person or someone ‘of good standing’ in your community.

Individuals who may certify documents include:

• bank officials;
• councillors;
• members of parliament;
• ministers of religion;
• chartered accountants;
• solicitors;
• notaries;
• doctors;
• teachers; and
• lecturers.

The person you ask to certify a document must not be related to you, living at the same address or in a relationship with you.