Certify a document as a true copy of the original by getting it signed and dated by a professional person, like a solicitor.
When you apply for something like a bank account or mortgage, you may be asked to provide documents that are certified as true copies of the original.
Copies of documents that can be certified include:
- passports
- photocard driving licences
- letters from a government department
- bank/building society or credit card statements
- gas, electricity or council tax bills
- letters from a hospital/doctor
Who can certify a document
To certify documents, ask a professional person or someone well-respected in your community (‘of good standing’) like a:-
- bank or building society official
- councillor
- dentist
- police officer
- solicitor
- teacher or lecturer
The person you ask shouldn’t be:-
- related to you
- living at the same address
- in a relationship with you
Check with the organisation that needs the certified copy - they may have specific rules for who can certify a document.
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
- printing their name under the signature
- adding their occupation, address and telephone number
The person certifying the document may charge you a fee.
Source:-
Certifying a document