How to certify a document as a true copy?

Asked by: Jody Dooley  |  Last update: March 6, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (30 votes)

To certify a document as a true copy, the original document's owner presents it and the photocopy to a notary public, who compares them, confirms they match, and then attaches a signed and sealed notarial certificate stating the copy is a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of the original, though some documents (like vital records) require certification from the issuing agency, not a notary.

How to certify a true copy of a document?

Certified True Copy Certification

  1. Secure and fill out application form.
  2. Submit duly accomplished form and attach the other supporting documents.
  3. Wait for the issuance of Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
  4. Pay the corresponding fees.

How do you certify as a true copy of the original?

How to certify a document. Take the photocopied document and the original and ask the person to certify the copy by: writing 'Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me' on the document. signing and dating it.

Who can certify a true copy of an original document in the USA?

A certified true copy is usually a special copy of an original document and is made by a notary public or lawyer. A photocopy is just a copy made from a primary document without any certification attached to it. A true copy is a photocopy or duplicate made (without alterations) of any original document.

How to make a true copy of a document?

How Is a True Copy of a Document Certified? To have a copy of a document certified, you must meet with an authorized official, such as a notary public. You'll bring your original document and a copy of it with you, and the notary will compare the original to the photocopy.

How to Certify a Copy of a Document

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Who can certify true copy?

Notaries public, qualified lawyers appointed to witness the signing of documents and certify copies as true, play a crucial role in providing notarial services.

How much does it cost to apostille a document in the USA?

The cost to apostille a document in the USA varies significantly, from around $2-$20 per document for state-level apostilles (like California's $20 + $6 special handling, Illinois' $2, Arizona's $3) to $20-$100+ for U.S. Department of State apostilles, depending on whether it's a state or federal document, using a private service (which adds significant fees like $180-$220+), or choosing expedited processing. Expect basic state fees to be low ($2-$20), while federal documents cost more, and private third-party services (often used for FBI or federal apostilles) charge much higher rates for convenience and speed. 

Where can I do certified true copy?

Request for certified true copies of records/documents at the Office for Legal Affairs may be filed anytime either by walk-in or online requests. Clients can download the said form and send it to ola.records@csc.gov.ph.

Can my local post office certify documents?

Certified copies of your important documents

Need to provide photocopies of documents? Get them certified as a true likeness of their originals at selected Post Office branches. Pay a fee for the copies you need and keep the originals. The organisation that requested them gets copies certified by a trusted brand.

Can I certify a copy myself?

In most cases, you cannot self-certify your own documents. Creating a certified copy requires an impartial and authorized party, such as a notary public or government official, to validate the accuracy of the copy. Attempting to self-certify a document may lead to it being rejected and unusable.

Can a notary public certify a true copy?

You'll often need a Copy Certification by a Notary Public, a process that confirms your copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document. At Your Local Notary Public, we specialize in notarizing copy certifications of passports and IDs in compliance with California law and international standards.

How to certify an original copy?

Single-page documents must have the following written on them by an authorised officer.

  1. This statement: 'I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original'
  2. The date.
  3. The authorised officer's signature.
  4. The authorised officer's name.
  5. The authorised officer's contact phone number.

Can I certify my documents online?

Certify Documents Online: Fast, Secure, and Hassle-Free.

The process is handled 100% online by a registered Professional Commissioner of Oaths.

What is a Certified true copy example?

Signature of Certifying Official –The certifier's signature, which usually includes their full name, title, and date of certification. Statement of Certification – A written declaration (e.g., “I certify this is a true copy of the original”) confirming the copy matches the original exactly.

How to prove certified copy?

Production of Certified Copy:

90 of Evidence Act, regarding the genuineness or execution, although, the certified copy may be used to prove the contents of the document. Mere production of a certified copy of the registered document would not amount to proving the original deed by way of secondary evidence.

What words do you need to certify a copy?

The certifier should hand-write the following on each individual copy of the document:

  • The words “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document seen by me”
  • The certifier's signature.
  • The certifier's name, professional title and their contact telephone number or email address.

Who can certify a document for me?

Copies of documents can be certified by one of the following people:

  • Accountants.
  • Armed Forces Officer.
  • Bank/Building Society Official.
  • Commissioner of Oaths.
  • Councillor (local or county)
  • FCA regulated person.
  • FCA regulated financial services intermediary (e.g. stockbroker or insurance broker)

What do you call someone who can certify documents?

A notary public can certify a copy of a document. The notary may either attach a separate notarial certificate containing the certification or write the certification on the photocopy itself. Notarial certification will include a notary seal impression on either the notarial certificate or photocopy.

What is the safest way to send important documents by mail?

The safest way to mail important documents involves combining strong physical protection (waterproof folders, durable envelopes) with high-security postal services like USPS Registered Mail for maximum security (though slower) or USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt for proof of delivery, while private carriers like FedEx/UPS offer fast, secure options often preferred for speed. For digital documents, use password protection and encryption. 

Is a true copy the same as a certified copy?

A certified copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a primary document that has on it an endorsement or certificate that it is a true copy of the primary document. It does not certify that the primary document is genuine, only that it is a true copy of the primary document.

How to get a certified copy made?

How do I certify a copy of a document?

  1. The document's custodian requests a certified copy. ...
  2. The Notary compares the original and the copy. ...
  3. The Notary certifies that the copy is accurate.

Can I get my apostille on the same day?

Yes, you can often get an apostille the same day, especially in certain U.S. states like California, New York, and Texas, by visiting their Secretary of State offices in person, but it requires arriving early, having all documents perfectly prepared, and sometimes paying extra fees for walk-in or expedited services, with federal documents requiring a longer process via the U.S. Department of State. Some private apostille services also offer same-day processing for an additional cost. 

Is apostille better than notary?

Apostilles are designed for international use, ensuring that documents are legally recognized in foreign countries. Notarization, conversely, is a process that primarily validates documents for use within a specific jurisdiction or country.

What documents usually require an apostille?

Documents that usually need an apostille are official papers for international use, like vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates), educational documents (diplomas, transcripts), court records, corporate documents, and powers of attorney, to verify signatures and seals for recognition in other Hague Convention countries. This process authenticates the public official's signature, not the document's content, and is required for use abroad, such as for visas, adoptions, or business.
 

Can a notary public certify a copy of a document?

What documents are allowed to do true copy notarization in California? Powers of Attorney. In California, a notary public can certify copies of powers of attorney. A certified copy of a power of attorney that has been certified by a notary public has the same force and effect as the original power of attorney.