Certified True Copies of Official Documents
Applying for a visa, a job or a place at a school or university? Many institutions ask for a certified copy of an important document instead of the original. At Notary on Main in Brampton, we compare your copy with the original and certify that it is a true copy, in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
What is a certified true copy?
A certified true copy is a copy of an original document that a notary public has compared with the original and certified, with the notary's signature and seal, as a true copy. Clients often need certified copies of:
passports and other identity documents;
academic diplomas, degrees and transcripts;
professional licences and certificates.
Certified copies are commonly requested for visa and immigration applications, employment and professional licensing, and academic applications, in Canada and abroad.
Many institutions require copies certified by a notary public. Some also accept copies certified by other authorized people. Check the instructions of the institution receiving your documents, including any specific wording they want on the certification.
How Notary on Main can help
We notarize signatures. We confirm your identity, you sign in front of the notary, and we notarize your signature.
We certify copies. We compare copies with the original documents and certify them as true copies.
For use in Ontario and abroad. Our notarizations can be used in Ontario and, with an apostille or authentication where required, in other countries.
What our certification confirms: that the copy matches the original document you show us. It does not confirm that the original document is genuine or valid.
Please note: certifying a copy is not legal advice, and it does not confirm the content of the document. For legal advice, you can contact Orlando Santos | Law Firm.
Documents for use abroad: apostille and authentication
Many countries need proof that the notary's signature and seal are genuine. This step is done by the government, not by the notary:
Apostille. Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention effective January 11, 2024. In Ontario, Official Documents Services (ODS) issues apostilles for documents notarized by an Ontario notary public, for use in Convention countries.
Certificate of authentication. For countries that are not members of the Convention, ODS issues a certificate of authentication instead. The destination country's consulate may then need to legalize it.
If your document is not in English or French, ODS requires a translation before it can be authenticated. Depending on the country and the institution, the apostille may be needed on the certified copy or on the original document itself. Always check with the person or institution receiving the document which steps they require.
More information: our Apostille page, Ontario: Authenticate a document for use outside Canada.
What to bring
The original documents (not copies). Please tell us when you book which documents you need certified and how many copies of each.
Valid government-issued photo ID. For example, a passport or a Canadian driver's licence.
The receiving institution's instructions, if they have any (for example, required wording or a checklist).
Languages
We notarize documents in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Service in Hindi and Punjabi is also available with Priya Kaushal, a member of our team.
Book an appointment
Call or email us to book. Tell us what the document is and where it will be used, and we will confirm what to bring.
Notary on Main, the notary division of Orlando Santos | Law Firm
195 Main Street North, Upper Floor, Brampton, ON L6X 1N2
Hours: by appointment only. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 1 PM to 6 PM. Other times on request.
Phone: (647) 963-9227
Email: orlando@santoslawpc.com
See all our Critical Documents.
Helping people with essential documents since 1984.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Fees
Certified true copies: $50.00 plus HST for the first copy, and $20.00 plus HST for each additional copy.
Government apostille or authentication fees, and any consulate fees, are separate and are paid to those offices.