WHAT EXACTLY IS A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY?
A Certified True Copy is created when the original document and the photocopy are presented to a Notary Public in person. The Notary compares the original document to the copy to ensure it is an accurate and complete reproduction.
After confirming the match, the Notary adds wording certifying that the copy is a true copy of the original document, signs it, and applies their official notarial seal or stamp.
Important Information About Certified Copies
To obtain a Certified True Copy, you must bring:
- the original document
- the photocopy of the document
- valid government-issued photo identification
The original and the copy must be presented in person to the Notary Public. Certified true copies cannot be completed from a scan, email, or photo of a document.
Types of Documents That May Be Certified
Karen Gisèle Gagné Notary Public can certify true copies of many types of documents, including:
- Birth Certificates
- Death Certificates
- Divorce Decrees
- Adoption Papers
- Final Court Judgments
- Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney
- Education Records
- Diplomas
- Transcripts
- Dean’s Letters
- Certificates
- Elementary and High School Report Cards
- Immigration Documents
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Driver’s Licences
- Utility Bills and Invoices
- Bank Records
- Business Contracts and Personal Agreements
- Articles of Incorporation
- Corporate Documents
- and more
Certified Copy Services for Personal, Business, Legal, and Immigration Documents
Certified true copies are commonly requested for:
- school and university applications
- employment or professional licensing
- immigration and citizenship matters
- business registration and corporate filings
- real estate and legal transactions
- court or government submissions
If you are unsure whether your document can be certified, contact Karen before booking your appointment.
Digital Originals vs. Scanned Copies
For Certified True Copies, it is important to understand the difference between a digital original and a scanned copy.
If a document was originally issued in digital format, such as an electronic transcript, digital certificate, or government record, a Notary Public may review the original electronic file and certify that a printed copy, or where appropriate an electronic copy, is an exact duplicate of that digital original.
If a document was originally issued as a paper document, a Notary cannot certify a scanned or emailed copy on its own. The physical original document must be presented to the Notary in person before a Certified True Copy can be completed.
If you are unsure whether your document can be certified, contact Karen before booking your appointment.
