Where can I get documents certified?
Posted on 14th March 2024
Our Solicitors in Preston are often asked to certify documents, usually for use in an official capacity or for our clients who need to prove their identity for an ongoing matter with us.
Certifying a document is a process where an authorised person, such as a solicitor, verifies the originality and authenticity of a document. This process involves the certifier confirming that the copy of the document is true, complete, and accurate as compared to the original.
What is Certifying a Document?
Certifying a document typically involves taking the original document and a photocopy to an authorised certifier. The certifier will compare the original to the photocopy. If the photocopy is an exact match, the certifier will declare the photocopy to be a true and accurate copy of the original document. This is usually done by writing or stamping a statement on the photocopy itself, and it must include the certifier’s signature and details.
How are documents certified?
Documents can be certified by a range of people, referred to on gov.uk as a professional, including Doctors, Accountants, the Post Office, and solicitors. To obtain certified copies of documents, you would need to take the originals to the certifier, who would then copy them and make a statement on the copy document. Such statement usually says something like:
I, (insert name), hereby certify that this is a true copy/likeness of the original document/(person’s name).
They will then sign underneath, print their name and address and date the same. If you use a solicitor to certify the documents, they will normally add their SRA number alongside this.
How much does it cost to obtain certified documents?
Well, this depends on who certifies the documents, how many documents you need certifying, and how many copies you need. Your local solicitors in Preston do not charge our clients to certify documents if they are for our ongoing matter. For example, our conveyancing clients frequently attend their local office- Garstang, Longridge, Lancaster, or Lytham – to have documents certified when they are selling or buying a house with us, as part of the identity checks.
Alternatively, if you are not using our solicitors for an ongoing matter, there will be a small charge for certifying documents, usually £10 per document, although if a document is not a standard one-page copy, this charge could be higher. The charge covers the cost of copying the document, and the time spent on certifying it, and is a nominal charge.
Get in touch today to speak to our Solicitors in Preston.
When are Certified Documents Required?
Certified documents are required in many situations where there is a need to verify the authenticity of a document without having to present the original. This can include:
Legal Processes:
During legal proceedings, certified documents may be required to establish evidence or fulfil statutory requirements.
Immigration Procedures:
When applying for visas, residency, or citizenship in another country, certified copies of documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and educational qualifications may be required.
Education:
Universities and colleges often require certified copies of academic records and qualifications for admission purposes.
Employment:
Employers may require certified copies of identification documents, qualifications, or other certifications as part of the hiring process.
Banking and Finance:
Opening a new bank account, applying for a loan, or other financial services often require certified documents to comply with regulatory requirements.
Conveyancing:
Buying, selling, or renting property may require the certification of legal documents and proof of identity.
How can MG Legal’s Solicitors in Preston help?
If you need documents certifying, give us a call on 01772 783314 or email enquiries@mglegal.co.uk to arrange an appointment with the team. Appointments typically last 10 to 15 minutes, and can take place at any of our offices.
You will need to attend with your original ID or documents to be certified, and our team will take copies, and certify the documents during your appointment. We are often asked to confirm when we have certified a person’s identity, so we will keep a copy of the certified documents for our records, along with a record of your name, and contact number, so we can confirm we did indeed certify the documents for you if asked. We do this to ensure that you do not need to go through the expense of having the documents re-certified, if we do not have a record to be able to confirm.
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