Certified copies of original documents

You must follow the process on this page to certify a copy. This process changed when then Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 (External link) came into effect.

The new process allows more people to certify a copy. This includes nurses, full-time teachers, some Australian Post staff and more public servants. To find out who can certify a copy of a document, go to the List of people authorised to certify copies of original documents.

Please note that copies of documents cannot be certified remotely. This must occur in person.

A 'certified copy' of an original document is a copy that has been verified as being a true copy of an original document such as a:

• birth certificate
• driver’s licence
• passport.

This is done by a person who is authorised to certify copies of original documents.

How to have copies of original documents certified

Different organisations may have their own requirements for certifying a copy. Check first before you follow this process.

Learn who is an authorised certifier

Please note that:

• authorised certifiers do not have to accept a request to certify copies
• organisations who employ people who are authorised to certify copies may not offer this service as an organisation.

When making arrangements to have copies certified, it is best to confirm beforehand that a certifier is available at a convenient time and place.

Please expand to see the full list of occupations authorised to certify copies of original documents.

List of people authorised to certify copies of original documents

Under Section 39 of the Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018 (External link) (as of 1 March 2019) the list of persons who may certify copies of original documents includes:

• A person currently licensed or registered to practice in Australia as one of the following occupations:
  • Architect
  • Chiropractor
  • Conveyancer
  • Dentist
  • Financial adviser or financial planner
  • Legal practitioner
  • Medical practitioner
  • Midwife
  • Migration agent
  • Nurse
  • Occupational therapist
  • Optometrist
  • Patent attorney
  • Pharmacist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Psychologist
  • Trade marks attorney
  • Veterinary surgeon
  • Fellow of the National Tax Accountants’ Association
  • Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
  • Member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants
  • Member of CPA Australia
  • Member of the Institute of Public Accountants
  • A member of Engineers Australia, other than a student
  • A Registered Professional Engineer of Professionals Australia
  • Registered as an engineer under a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory
  • Registered on the National Engineering Register by Engineers Australia
  • For example, Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies
  • An officer
  • A non-commissioned officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
  • A warrant officer
  • State
  • Territory
  • State authority
  • Territory authority
  • Local government authority
  • For example, a project officer employed as a VPS4 or an administrative assistant employed as a VPS2
  • A judicial officer
    • For example, a judge or magistrate
    • Chief Executive Officer
    • A member of Council staff with management responsibilities and reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer
    • Any other member of Council staff earning a salary of at least $124,000 (or a higher threshold, if specified by the Minister under s 97B of the Local Government Act 1989 (External link) )
    • For example, an arbitrator or any person or body with authority to hear, receive and examine evidence

    Visit a certifier

    Bring both the original and a copy of the original to the certifier.

    The certifier will:

    1. examine the original to ensure it is not a copy or forgery
    2. examine the copy to ensure it is identical to the original. A copy can be considered identical even if it is a different size or colour, so long as that does not result in the loss of any material information.

    The certifier will then write or stamp the copy with the words: “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.” They will sign and date the copy, and write or stamp their:

    1. name
    2. personal or professional address, and
    3. qualification as an authorised certifier.

    If there are multiple pages to the copy, the certifier will sign or initial and number all pages.

    The copy has now been certified.

    Certifying a document in another language

    A document in a language other than English can be certified. The certifier must be of the opinion that the copy is identical to the original document.