At some point, you may be asked to provide certified copies of important documents. Whether it’s for legal, financial, or identification purposes, getting your documents certified is a common requirement. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get your documents certified, Coastal Lawyers style.
What Does “Certified Copy” Mean?
A certified copy is essentially a photocopy of an original document that has been verified by an authorised person, confirming that the copy is a true representation of the original. The certifier must physically see both the original document and the copy before certifying it.
How to Get Your Documents Certified
To ensure your documents are certified correctly, follow these steps:
- Show the Original Document: The certifier must physically see both the original document and the copy.
- The Certifier’s Statement: On each copy of your document, the certifier must write:
“This is a true copy of the original as supplied to me.” - Signature: The certifier must sign and date each page of the document. If it’s a multi-page document, they should write or stamp on the first page:
“I certify this and the following [number of pages] pages to be a true copy of the original as supplied to me,” and then initial the remaining pages.
Referee Information Required
On each certified copy, the certifier must also include their:
- Occupation (from the list of acceptable referees)
- Full name and address
- Phone number
This ensures that the certification can be verified if needed.
Who Can Certify Documents?
Here’s a quick rundown of professionals who can certify your documents:
- Accountant (Registered Tax Agent or member of a recognised professional accounting body)
- Legal Practitioner (Barrister, Solicitor, or anyone listed on the roll of the Supreme Court or High Court)
- Police Officer
- Medical Practitioner
- Justice of the Peace (JP with registration number)
- School Principal
- Postal Manager
Getting your documents certified is a simple but important process, and making sure it’s done correctly is key to avoiding any unnecessary delays or rejections. If you’re ever unsure about who can certify your documents or need further clarification, feel free to reach out to Coastal Lawyers. We’re here to make the process as smooth as possible for you.s.
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.