Certified Copy: The Why and How of Certifying Birth and Death Certificates, Marriage Certificates and other Important Documents

September 25th, 2009

Certificate Certified copy Birth

Birth Certificate and other Documentation for Certification For many different applications worldwide you are required to have a certified copy. For immigration purpose, such as residency applications, for travel purposes, such as passport applications, and, in some countries, for financial purposes, such as opening a bank account, you will need a certified copy of certain documents.

So what exactly is a certified copy?

A certified copy is simply a photocopy of a document that has been signed by a governing authority. In some countries, such as Australia, this can be a Justice of the Peace, a teacher, a Post Office Manager, a Police Officer and many other qualified persons. In the United States, a certified copy must be signed by a Court Officer or a Solicitor. Each country has a different definition of who is authorized to sign a certified copy.

Basically a certified copy is a way of letting the authority know that is it truly you. It is a means of valid identification.

Birth Certificate and other Documentation for Certification The two most common documents that need to be certified are your passport and your birth certificate. Both of these count as valid proof of identity. Your passport has a photo of you as well as your vital information while a birth certificate is evidence of your existence. Even when you are undergoing an application for your birth certificate you will still need to have certification.

Because it is very easy to gain access to fake birth certificates and passports, you will need to have these documents certified. If you know where to go, you can obtain anything from a fake California birth certificate to a Texas birth certificate. This has become very common for immigrants who want to remain in the country.

This is also why certified copies are often needed for any government or financial related transactions.

Marriage Certificate and other Certified Documents Other documentation that needs to be certified includes a marriage certificate. Even a decree for divorce requires certification.

If you are wondering if your document needs certification it’s best to check with a governing office. However, as a general rule of thumb, any application for financial support, immigration, or travel needs certified documents. Any legal matters will also have to be certified. It’s always best to ask if you are unsure.

Why do I Need a True Certified Copy? In this day and age, you can never be too careful. This is one of the reasons you need a certified copy on many applications. People need to ensure that you are who you say you are when dealing with different situations. Certification can stop illegal immigrants from remaining in the country and also puts a halt to identify theft.

Although it can be a very annoying process for everyone involved, it is necessary for the safety and well being of yourself, your financial institution, your governing office and your country.