Here’s how to get ready for your an appointment to make a certified true copy

Bring the original document you need certified

The Notary needs to make a photocopy from the original document itself.

Sounds simple, right? But be careful! Here are some things to think about:

The notary cannot certify a document that someone has tampered with. If someone has taken your document apart, or removed pages, we cannot certify it as a “true copy” of the original. For example, we cannot certify a Power of Attorney that someone has taken apart, or a homemade document that was never properly stapled together.

As well, we cannot make certified true copies from documents you download from the internet. Bring an original document physically issued by the maker. For example, we can’t certify copies of the following things people commonly download from the internet:

  • utilities statements
  • bank statements
  • transcripts or diplomas

If you need a certified true copy of one of these items, request an original document from the utilities company, bank or school and bring that to us.

Don’t worry about making the copies for certification yourself

The Notary will make the copies for you, from the original document.

We cannot use copies you have made (we need to be able to certify the copy is a “true copy”, which we can only do if we make the copy ourselves).

Check any instructions you received on how to certify the copies

Check with the people who are asking you for this certified true copy, to see if they have any special instructions we need to follow.

For example, some documents for foreign schools or identification documents require us to include special language in the certificates we put on these documents. It’s important to make sure you tell us about these special language requirements before we begin our work.

Yes, you still need your ID, even for a certified true copy

We have to identify our clients. Please remember to bring your two pieces of current, government-issued ID, one of which needs to have a photo.

How long will this take?

Your appointment should take about 15 minutes if you have:

  • you have one or two standard documents which are a page or two in length
  • simple identification documentation like driver’s licences, marriage or birth certificates

If you have more than that, it may take longer. Much depends on:

  • how many pages are in the document
  • whether we need to take the document out of a frame or other structure
  • how many certified true copies you need
  • whether you have the originals, and if the originals have been tampered with

If your document is going to take longer than the standard 15 minute appointment, we will let you know. Additional fees may apply for longer appointments.

You can also drop off the documents at the office. We will make the certified true copies and give you a call when they are ready for you to pick up.

Apostilles and Authentication of certified true copies

Let us know right away if you need your document to be authenticated or apostilled. These additional processes might need additional language or paperwork built into the work we do.

Be Kind

It’s always surprising to have to say this out loud, but we do not tolerate abuse of our staff, ourselves or the legal system.

We will refuse service to persons who are rude, abusive, who throw things or have tantrums. And yes, these are all real-life things that have happened.

We will also refuse you service if you appear to be asking for this service for invalid documents, or for documents which may be used in fraudulent or suspicious circumstances.

We love helping our clients within our professional obligations, and will often go out of our way to help where we can. When we can’t help, we will always let you know.