A certified true copy is not simply a colour photocopy with a stamp added. Before obtaining one, ask the receiving organisation who it recognises as an authorised certifier and what form it requires.
Read the instruction in full
Different applications may accept different certifying authorities. An institution’s own records office, a specified professional or another designated authority may be required. Do not assume one stamp is accepted everywhere.
Ask whether the certification must include a date, name, role, contact details or statement about sighting the original. Also check whether every page must be certified and whether the copy must be sent directly.
Prepare the original and a clear copy
Bring the genuine original and a complete readable copy to the authorised process. Avoid cropping the reverse side if it contains relevant information. Ask for instructions when a document has several pages or attachments.
If the original is lost, explain that first. A process intended to compare a copy with an original cannot be completed honestly by pretending the original was available.
Keep a submission record
- Save the receiver’s certification requirement.
- Record who certified the copy and when.
- Inspect the names, pages and certification details.
- Follow the requested upload or delivery route.
- Keep a secure copy of what you submitted.
Do not add a seal, signature or official title yourself. If a copy is rejected, ask the receiver to identify the unmet requirement before paying for another certification.
Is notarisation always necessary?
No universal rule applies to every academic application. Follow the receiver’s actual instruction and obtain qualified advice where a legal certification is required.
Does certification prove the degree is genuine?
It may establish that a copy was compared with a document under a particular process. Direct verification with the awarding institution can be a separate requirement.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.