At some point, you’ll likely need to have your documents certified. Whether it’s for legal, financial, or personal reasons, it’s important to know who can help you with this process. Here’s a quick guide on who can certify your documents, ensuring that they are accepted by the relevant authorities.
Who Can Certify Your Documents?
- Accountant: Must be a member of a recognised professional accounting body or a Registered Tax Agent.
- Legal Practitioner: Anyone listed on the roll of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory or the High Court of Australia as a legal practitioner.
- Barrister, Solicitor, or Patent Attorney: These legal professionals are authorised to certify documents.
- Police Officer: Any officer serving in the police force can help with document certification.
- Postal Manager: A manager at any Australian Post office.
- School Principal: Principals of Australian secondary colleges, high schools, or primary schools.
- Medical Practitioner: Doctors who are registered in Australia can certify your documents.
- Justice of the Peace (JP): A JP registered in their state (with a registration number) can certify documents.
- Minister of Religion: Must be registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961.
How to Certify Documents Correctly
The certifier must follow these steps when certifying your documents:
- Write the statement: “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”
- Include their:
- Full name
- Signature
- Date of certification
- Registration number (if applicable)
- Qualification or occupation that qualifies them to certify
This information must appear on each page of the photocopied identification documents.
Getting documents certified is a straightforward process, but it’s important to have them signed off by the right person to avoid any complications. If you’re unsure about who can certify your documents or need further guidance, feel free to contact Coastal Lawyers for assistance. We’re here to make the process as easy as possible for you.
DISCLAIMER (BECAUSE WOULD WE EVEN BE LAWYERS WITHOUT ONE):
The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance, please consult your legal representative or book a consultation with Coastal Lawyers.

Written by Coastal Lawyers- Central Coast Family Lawyers
Coastal Lawyers are family lawyers based in Erina, on the Central Coast.
Coastal Lawyers assist family law clients in parenting, property, mediation, dispute resolution, and litigation. We offer the legal advice you expect from a lawyer, along with the emotional support you might not expect.
We are passionate about assisting our clients achieve amicable separations without the need for court intervention through the process of legally assisted mediation.
Our team also frequently appears at the Newcastle Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Newcastle FCFCOA), the Parramatta Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Parramatta FCFCOA), and the Sydney Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Sydney FCFCOA) to represent our clients in more intricate family law matters. This encompasses issues related to family violence, unacceptable risk of harm to children, relocation applications, recovery orders and complex property settlements.
Coastal Lawyers offer a 1 hour Strategy Session for all new family law enquiries at a reduced hourly rate.