Document Certification & Certified Copies
Document certification in Dagenham
Need a document certified in Dagenham or East London?
Phrasing Legal can review the requirements of the organisation requesting the certified copy and confirm whether the document can be certified in the required form.
Certification may be available for passports, identity documents, proof of address, academic documents, company documents and other records, subject to the requirements of the organisation receiving them.
Where appropriate, certification is carried out by Muhammad Arshed, Solicitor of England and Wales, subject to the receiving organisation accepting certification in that form.
Because certification requirements differ between banks, government bodies, employers, professional organisations, overseas authorities and other recipients, we recommend providing any written instructions before attending.
What is a certified copy?
A certified copy is a copy of an original document that has been checked against the original and endorsed by an appropriate professional to confirm that it is a true copy of the document presented.
The exact wording required can vary.
For example, the receiving organisation may require confirmation that:
- the copy is a true copy of the original;
- the photograph is a true likeness of the person presenting the document;
- the certifier holds a particular professional status;
- the certification is dated;
- the certifier’s name, professional capacity and contact details are included.
For that reason, it is important to check the recipient’s requirements before certification takes place.
Documents commonly presented for certification
Documents may include:
- passports;
- driving licences;
- national identity cards;
- proof of address documents;
- bank statements or financial documents;
- birth or marriage certificates;
- academic certificates and qualifications;
- professional certificates;
- employment documents;
- company and business documents;
- letters and official correspondence;
- copies required by banks or financial institutions;
- documents required by professional bodies; and
- other documents where a receiving organisation requires a professionally certified copy.
Whether a particular document can be certified depends on the nature of the document and the requirements of the organisation that will receive it.
Passport and identity-document certification
Certified copies of passports, driving licences and other identification documents are commonly requested by:
- banks;
- employers;
- accountants;
- professional organisations;
- educational institutions;
- overseas organisations;
- government bodies; and
- businesses carrying out identity or compliance checks.
Please bring the original document.
Where the receiving organisation requires specific certification wording, please also provide those instructions before or at the appointment.
Some organisations may require certification of both:
- the document itself; and
- the photograph as a true likeness of the person presenting the document.
We can review the instructions before confirming whether the requested certification can be provided.
Proof of address and supporting documents
You may also be asked to provide a certified copy of a document showing your residential address.
Examples may include:
- utility bills;
- council tax documents;
- bank statements;
- official government correspondence; or
- other documents accepted by the receiving organisation.
The recipient will normally determine:
- how recent the document must be;
- which types of document are acceptable;
- whether electronic statements are permitted; and
- the precise form of certification required.
We therefore recommend checking these requirements before attending.
Academic and professional documents
Certified copies may also be requested for:
- degree certificates;
- diplomas;
- professional qualifications;
- training certificates;
- educational records; or
- professional registration documents.
These may be required for employment, university applications, professional registration or overseas use.
If the document is to be used abroad, additional requirements may apply.
Company and business documents
Businesses may sometimes require certified copies of documents such as:
- Companies House documents;
- certificates of incorporation;
- company resolutions;
- company identification documents;
- business correspondence;
- contracts or supporting documents; or
- identification documents for directors or shareholders.
The intended recipient should confirm exactly what form of certification it requires.
What should you bring to your appointment?
Please normally bring:
- the original document;
- the copy, if one has already been prepared;
- any written instructions from the organisation requesting the certified copy;
- identification where appropriate;
- details of the person or organisation receiving the document; and
- information about the country in which the document will be used, where relevant.
If you are unsure what is required, you can send us the recipient’s instructions before booking.
Documents for use outside the UK
If a document is intended for use overseas, ordinary document certification may not be sufficient.
The receiving authority may instead require:
- notarisation;
- an apostille;
- legalisation;
- authentication by a consulate or embassy; or
- particular certification wording.
These are not the same as ordinary certification.
Before booking, please check with the receiving authority exactly what form of authentication it requires.
Phrasing Legal can review the instructions and help identify whether ordinary certification is appropriate or whether another type of authorised service is required.
Is document certification the same as notarisation?
No.
A professionally certified copy and a notarised document are not necessarily the same thing.
A recipient may accept certification by a solicitor or another recognised professional in some circumstances, while another organisation may specifically require a Notary Public.
Similarly, some overseas authorities require an apostille or further legalisation after the document has been notarised or otherwise authenticated.
If the receiving organisation says that the document must be notarised, apostilled or legalised, ordinary document certification should not be assumed to meet that requirement.
Can several documents be certified at the same appointment?
Usually, multiple documents can be considered during the same appointment, subject to:
- the number of documents;
- the type of document;
- whether originals are available;
- whether different certification wording is required; and
- the recipient’s requirements.
If you have several documents, please tell us in advance so that the appropriate appointment time and fee can be confirmed.
Can you certify a photocopy without seeing the original?
Ordinarily, certification of a copy requires the original document to be available for comparison.
If you do not have the original, please explain the circumstances before booking.
We should not certify a copy as being a true copy of an original that has not been inspected.
Can electronic documents be certified?
This depends on:
- the nature of the document;
- how it was issued;
- whether an original physical document exists; and
- what the receiving organisation accepts.
If you have been sent a PDF, online statement or electronic certificate, please provide the recipient’s requirements before the appointment.
Will every organisation accept a solicitor-certified copy?
No.
The organisation receiving the document decides what form of certification it will accept.
Some organisations may require:
- certification by a solicitor;
- certification by a notary public;
- a particular professional category;
- a specific form of wording;
- certification within a certain period;
- an original signature;
- a stamp;
- an apostille; or
- additional verification.
For that reason, Phrasing Legal cannot guarantee acceptance until the recipient’s requirements have been checked.
Document certification fees
The fee will depend on matters such as:
- the number of documents;
- the number of copies;
- the type of document;
- whether special wording is required; and
- whether additional checking is necessary.
Where possible, the fee will be confirmed before the appointment.
You can also view our Fees page or contact us with the details of the documents you need certified.
Document certification appointments in Dagenham
Appointments are available by prior arrangement in Dagenham, East London.
We can also assist clients travelling from surrounding areas, including:
- Barking;
- Ilford;
- Romford;
- East London; and
- nearby areas.
Please contact us before attending so that we can confirm:
- whether the requested certification can be provided;
- what documents you need to bring;
- the applicable fee; and
- appointment availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can a solicitor certify a copy of my passport?
A solicitor may be able to certify a copy of a passport where the receiving organisation accepts certification by a solicitor.
You should first check whether the organisation has prescribed wording or any other requirements.
Do I need to bring my original passport or document?
Normally, yes.
The original document is generally required so that the copy can be checked against it before certification.
Can you certify documents for use abroad?
Potentially, but overseas authorities may require notarisation, an apostille, legalisation or other authentication instead of ordinary certification.
Please provide the recipient’s instructions before booking.
Can more than one copy be certified?
Yes, subject to the number of copies, the nature of the documents and the recipient’s requirements.
The fee can be confirmed in advance.
Can you certify a bank statement or proof of address?
Potentially, provided the document and the receiving organisation’s requirements are suitable.
Please provide the relevant instructions before attending.
Can you certify documents for a bank or mortgage lender?
Possibly.
Banks and lenders often have their own certification requirements.
Please send us the relevant instructions or form before booking so that we can confirm whether the required certification can be provided.
What if the organisation says I need a notary?
If the organisation specifically requires a Notary Public, ordinary solicitor certification may not be sufficient.
We can help identify the distinction, but the required service should be obtained from an appropriately authorised provider.
Need a document certified?
Send us:
- the type of document;
- the number of documents or copies;
- the organisation requesting certification;
- any certification instructions you have received; and
- whether the document will be used in the UK or overseas.
We can then confirm whether the requested service is suitable, what you need to bring and the applicable fee.
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Important
Certification requirements are determined by the organisation receiving the document. Phrasing Legal cannot guarantee that a particular recipient will accept a certification until its requirements have been checked.