what are docs to be certified?

[Terpe]

Having the documents certified, is that the same as having them notarized? And who does the certification? Thank you very much.

Technically it's not the same.

Strictly speaking a certified document is verified as a complete document to being a true and authentic copy of the original. In itself it doesn't mean that the original document was genuine, only that the certified copy of the original is a true copy. Certification may be done by the same categories of professional who would countersign a passport photo etc.

Notarizing is usally done by a Notary Public to verify that the execution of a document, or the identity and signature of someone has been acknowledged and witnessed personally in the notary's presence. It does not mean the contents of the document has been verified or authorised in any way.

Hope this helps.

[manilabong]

Technically it's not the same.

Certification may be done by the same categories of professional who would countersign a passport photo etc.

Hope this helps.

Went back to this thread 'cause I'm still a bit confused. So, do you just go to a professional e.g. a police or a teacher and ask him/her to sign the photocopied document? Enlighten me, please. I really have no idea how it works.

Also, Santander Bank sends my husband his bank statements monthly. Will these suffice or does he have to have them certified as well? Thank you very much!

[lastlid]

Went back to this thread 'cause I'm still a bit confused. So, do you just go to a professional e.g. a police or a teacher and ask him/her to sign the photocopied document? Enlighten me, please. I really have no idea how it works.

Also, Santander Bank sends my husband his bank statements monthly. Will these suffice or does he have to have them certified as well? Thank you very much!

Passport

There is a really easy way round this. Which is what we did. That is to submit the sponsors birth certificate. If you do that you do not need to get your sponsors passport notarised or anything and photocopies of his passport will do. Also you save on notarising fees.

Bank Statements

Your original Santander bank statements don't require certifying.

[manilabong]

Passport

There is a really easy way round this. Which is what we did. That is to submit the sponsors birth certificate. If you do that you do not need to get your passport notarised or anything and photocopies of your passport will do. Also you save on notarising fees.

He's a naturalized citizen so what he has is his Philippine birth certificate and the document containing the naturalization details. I don't know if the latter counts that's why I opted for his passport. Please let me know if I'm wrong about this. Thank you!

[lastlid]

He's a naturalized citizen so what he has is his Philippine birth certificate and the document containing the naturalization details. I don't know if the latter counts that's why I opted for his passport. Please let me know if I'm wrong about this. Thank you!

Ah. Sorry. I am afraid to say that i can't be so sure about that. Guessing I would say yes but I am honestly not sure.

If you have to go with the passport then notarisation of copies can be done for a smallish fee apparently. I opted for my wife to submit my original birth certificate when I realised it would save me money and I wasn't totally certain about who was qualified to notarise.