By having it signed and dated, a professional person, such as a solicitor, can certify a document as a true copy of the original.

You may be required to submit documents that have been certified as true copies of the original when applying for a bank account or a mortgage.

Certified copies of the following an original documents are available:

• 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

Different rules apply to passport applications and photos, as well as a durable power of attorney.

You’ll need to have it signed and dated by a professional. A ‘well-respected’ signer is required.

A certified copy of a document may be required for a variety of reasons. Applying for a bank account or a home mortgage are two common reasons.

In these situations, the institution may request that you submit documents that have been certified as true copies of the original.

Who can certify a document

Your document must be certified by a professional or someone in your community who is well-known (‘of good standing’). You could inquire if the following companies provide this service:

• bank or building society official
• councillor
• minister of religion
• dentist
• chartered accountant
• solicitor or notary
• teacher or lecturer

The person you ask should not be:

• related to you
• living at the same address
• in a relationship with you

Check with the organization that requires the certified copy; they may have rules about who can certify a document.

How to certify a document

Take both the photocopied and original document 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

You may be charged a fee by the person who certifies the document.

Certifying a translation

If you need to certify a translation of a document that isn’t written in English or Welsh, request that the translation company confirm the translation in writing:

• that it’s a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’
• the date of the translation
• the full name and contact details of the translator or a representative of the translation company