What Is a Certified True Copy?

By Staff Writer | Last Updated August 4, 2015

A certified true copy is an official copy of an important document like a birth certificate that has been certified by a notary or issued by an authority office. In some cases, a notary will not provide substantial authentication.

True copies of documentation may be necessary for applications for visas, passports, and even purchasing a home. Documents may include birth certificates, court documents, deeds, and marriage licenses.

To establish the degree of which the documentation must be validated, it is important to contact the officiating body. They will indicate if it is possible to provide a copy that has been notarized, or if it must be submitted directly from the authority that issued it.