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In depth
A certified copy is a copy of a document that has been verified as a true and accurate copy by the issuing authority or a notary public. The certification typically includes the certifier's signature, seal, and the statement 'I certify that this is a true copy of the original.'
For CBD applications, most authorities require certified copies of vital records rather than photocopies. Some authorities (Italian consulates) require 'apostilled' certified copies — certified by the issuing authority and then apostilled by the relevant state/national authority.
Certified copies can typically be obtained from: (1) the vital records office that issued the original, (2) a notary public (for non-government documents), or (3) the consulate of the issuing country (for documents issued abroad).
Related terms
An apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
A notary public is a public official authorized to witness signatures, certify documents, and administer oaths, used in CBD cases for document certification.
A long-form birth certificate is a detailed birth certificate that includes the child's and parents' full information, required for most CBD applications.
A short-form birth certificate is a simplified birth certificate showing only the child's basic information, typically not accepted for CBD applications.
A vital record is a government-recorded document that certifies a vital event — birth, marriage, divorce, or death — and is the primary evidence in CBD cases.
A marriage certificate is a vital record that certifies a marriage, required for CBD cases to establish the legitimacy of the descent line.