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Certified True Copy Service: what it is
Many organisations will not take your only original passport, travel document or certificate. They ask for a certified copy instead. A professional person looks at your original, compares it with a photocopy, and signs the copy to confirm it is a true copy.
GOV.UK's guidance on certifying a document (opens in a new tab) explains the usual method. The person certifying writes "Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me" on the copy, signs and dates it, prints their name, and adds their occupation, address and telephone number. They should not be related to you, live with you or be in a relationship with you.
Certified copy, certified translation, notarised copy: the difference
| Service | What it confirms | Who does it | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified true copy | The copy matches the original | Solicitor, notary or other professional person | UK banks, employers, universities |
| Certified translation | The English translation is accurate | Translator or translation company | Home Office, Tribunal, HM Passport Office |
| Notarised copy | The copy matches the original, confirmed by a notary public | Notary public | Overseas authorities, often with an apostille |
A certified copy does not translate anything. If your document is in Dari, Arabic or Tigrinya, the receiver will usually also need a certified translation. We can do both in one order.
Who needs a certified true copy and when
Refugees and people with other status often need certified copies when they start rebuilding life in the UK. Common requests include:
- Banks and building societies: a certified copy of documents for bank account opening, usually ID and proof of address, if you cannot attend a branch in person.
- Employers and recruitment agencies: copies of qualifications, references or ID for pre-employment checks.
- Universities and colleges: certified copies of certificates and transcripts. For translations of these, see education certificate translation.
- Landlords, lenders and professional bodies: copies of ID or certificates, when they will not take originals.
- Overseas authorities and embassies of third countries: a notarised copy, often followed by an apostille. See our apostille and legalisation service.
Passports and travel documents
Looking for a certified copy of passport UK banks or employers will accept? The process is the same for a Home Office travel document, such as a Convention travel document. The certifier copies the photo page and any other pages the receiver asks for.
eVisas and digital status
An eVisa is a digital record, not a physical card, so there is no original to photocopy. Most UK organisations check eVisa status online using a share code. Ask the organisation whether they want a share code instead of a certified copy. All BRPs have now expired. GOV.UK says an expired BRP can only be used for limited tasks, such as accessing your UKVI account, and only until 31 December 2026 at the latest.
Settlement and citizenship
Some applications ask for copies of documents rather than originals. Check the guidance for your application. If documents are not in English, see our refugee ILR and citizenship translation service.
How we arrange your certified true copy
- Tell us what the receiver asked for. Send us the exact wording from the bank, employer or overseas authority. The wording decides who must certify and how.
- Send clear scans. We check the document and quote for certification, and for translation if needed.
- We prepare the copies. We make clean copies and, if needed, a certified translation of each document.
- Certification. A solicitor certified copy (refugees most often need this for UK banks and employers), or certification by a UK notary public, is completed after the certifier has seen your original.
- Delivery. You receive the certified copies by tracked post, and a scan by email if the receiver accepts scans.
If the copies are going abroad, a notary is usually needed rather than a solicitor. Read more on notarised translation for refugees if the translation itself must be notarised.
Before you ask for certification
If your document was issued by the country you left, think about safety before contacting its embassy or officials. Speak to your solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). We do not give immigration advice.
Certified True Copy Service price and time
- Solicitor certified copy: from £15 per document.
- Notary certified copy: from £45 per bundle (allow an extra working day).
- Certified translation, if needed: from £18 per page.
- Typical time: 1 working day for ID cards and certificates, 2–3 working days for longer documents, plus postage.
- Urgent option: same day or within 24 hours, from £10 extra per document.
Prices shown are starting prices and include VAT. We confirm your exact price in a written quote before any work starts.
Several documents for the same receiver are usually quoted as one package. See all rates on our translation prices page, or ask for a quote for certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Who can certify a true copy in the UK?
It depends on who asked for the copy. Many UK organisations accept certification by a professional person, such as a solicitor or notary, as described on GOV.UK. For use abroad, a notary public is usually required. Always follow the receiver's own instructions if they name a certifier.
How long does it take?
Once we have clear scans and can arrange for the certifier to see your original, a certified copy usually takes 1 working day for ID cards and certificates, or 2–3 working days for longer documents, plus postage. If a translation is needed too, we tell you the combined time in your quote. Overseas legalisation adds extra time.
Do I need to attend in person?
Usually the certifier must see your original document. Depending on the notary's arrangements, you may attend an appointment or send the original by tracked, insured post. We explain the options when we quote. We never ask you to post an original unless it is needed.
Can you certify a copy of a document in another language?
Yes. The certifier confirms the copy matches the original, whatever the language. Most receivers will also want a certified English translation, so we usually provide both together.
Need copies you can rely on? Send your request for an asylum translation quote. Your documents are handled confidentially under UK GDPR and deleted after delivery.
Last reviewed 1 October 2026. This page explains our translation service and is not legal advice.