"Certified copies" who can certify and what format

[eeckard]

This should be an easy one for those in the know!

I need to give my embassy "certified copies" of a document. My questions are:
- who can perform the certification (is it limited to some people)?
- what does it look like (stamp, handwritten, what is accepted)?
- what is the cheapest and easiest way to get documents certified?

Thanks in advance.

[John]

What type of document are you thinking of sending in a certified copy of?

If it is a passport, go to any Solicitor's office.

[eeckard]

John, it is a passport.

Solicitors are expensive though. Is there not a cheaper alternative? In South Africa (where I am from) you could go to your local police station and get it done free of charge there).

[bbdivo]

Can't the embassy certify them? (unless you're posting them) My embassy certifies everything there and then when you hand documents over to them.

[ppron747]

Surely the answer to the question is that it will depend on the policy of whoever the certified copy is to be submitted to... The phrase "certified copy" can mean a multitude of things, and I don't think there is a "one size fits all" answer.

[John]

Solicitors are expensive though.

What on earth do you think they are doing to charge? This is surely a cheap procedure. In any case, no harm in walking into a firm of solicitors and asking, "I need a certified copy of my passport. How much would that cost?", and if you don't like the answer, making your apologies and walking out.

Or of course enquiring by phone.

[EJ]

John,

I had to get a "Power of Attorney" certified around three years ago. The notary charged £42 + VAT. Thus it isn't cheap and it would be handy to know if it can be done for free through another avenue.

[mhunjn]

Notaries are generally expensive. However, 'solicitors' are cheap... they'll normally certify passport copies for about £10.
So give a couple of solicitors around you a ring and go with the cheapest.

Check with your embassy... as they might accept a document certified by a church priest, teacher, doctor as well. Some of these might certify it for free.

[jes2jes]

I did certify some certificates for the FCO last week at a Posh City Law Firm in St James Street and it costs only £5 a document. I have also in the past certified a letter to an adjudicator in a solicitor's office and it is also the same 5 quid.

[Rogerio]

I've had to certify many copies of many documents before... I rang round various solicitors, and ended up having to pay £5 for a whole bunch of stuff.... copying included.... just ring round.

[davidm]

I've had to certify many copies of many documents before... I rang round various solicitors, and ended up having to pay £5 for a whole bunch of stuff.... copying included.... just ring round.

I paid £5 per passport when I applied for naturalisation- there were 3 in total (2 of mine and 1 of my wife), paid £15.
Notaries are expensive- I paid £50 plus VAT to get something notarised a couple of years ago.