How to make a certified true copy of a document online
A certified true copy is a photocopy or scan confirmed to be a true and complete copy of an original document, commonly required for visa and immigration applications, banking, tenders and legal filings. With PDF Verified you can produce a certified-true-copy PDF online: scan the original, apply a “Certified True Copy of the Original” stamp with the certifier’s name and date, and seal the file with a tamper-evident SHA-256 fingerprint and a public QR verification link so any authority can confirm it has not been altered. Note: where a copy must be certified by a specific authorised person (a notary, commissioner for oaths or lawyer), that person still performs the certification, PDF Verified provides the stamp, seal and verifiable record.
Create a certified-copy stamp →
Drop your document here and sign it now. PDF, Word and Excel all work: a .docx or .xlsx is laid out in your browser exactly as it was written, so there is nothing to convert first. Add a signature, a date, a company stamp or a watermark, then download it sealed. Free to start, no account, and the file is never uploaded to open it.
How to make a certified true copy of a document online, step by step
- Scan the original into a PDF, Scan or photograph each page of the original document and combine them into a single clear PDF.
- Apply the certified-true-copy stamp, Add a “Certified True Copy of the Original” stamp with the certifier’s name, title, registration number and date. PDF Verified includes a ready certified-true-copy stamp you can edit.
- Seal and share the verifiable PDF, Download the stamped PDF sealed with a SHA-256 fingerprint and a public QR verification link, so the receiving office can confirm the copy is genuine and unaltered.
What you get
- Ready “Certified True Copy of the Original” stamp with editable certifier details.
- Tamper-evident SHA-256 seal so any change after certification is detectable.
- Public QR verification the receiving authority can check with no account.
- Ideal for visa, immigration, banking, tender and legal document requirements.
- Serial numbers and audit trail for a stronger record than an ink stamp.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a certified true copy online?
Scan the original into a PDF, apply a “Certified True Copy of the Original” stamp with the certifier’s details and date, and download the file sealed with a SHA-256 fingerprint and public QR verification. The authorised person certifying the copy signs or stamps it; PDF Verified provides the stamp, seal and verifiable record.
What must a certified true copy show?
It should clearly state “certified true copy of the original”, the signature of the certifying officer, and the officer’s name, title, and registration or provider number legibly printed below the signature, plus the date. PDF Verified’s certified-copy stamp captures each of these fields.
Who can certify a copy of a document?
Depending on the jurisdiction and the receiving office, a notary public, commissioner for oaths, lawyer, or other authorised person certifies the copy. PDF Verified does not replace that authority, it gives them a verifiable digital stamp and seal to certify with.
Is a certified true copy the same as a notarised copy?
A certified true copy confirms the copy matches the original; notarisation is a formal act performed by a notary. Some offices accept a certified copy, others require notarisation, check the receiving authority’s requirement.
Can I use a certified true copy for a visa or immigration application?
Many immigration and visa processes accept certified true copies that clearly carry the certifying wording, signature and certifier details. Always confirm the specific requirement of the embassy, consulate or authority you are applying to.
How does the receiving office verify the copy?
They scan the QR code or open the verification link on the PDF, which confirms the document is sealed, shows the stamp and serial, and reveals whether the file has been altered since it was certified.
What PDF Verified is, and what it is not
Electronic signature law is settled in broad terms and specific in the details. The ESIGN Act, UETA, eIDAS and their equivalents recognise electronic signatures across more than 190 countries, and what decides a particular case is intent to sign plus evidence connecting the signature to the signer, which is what the audit certificate records. Certain document types carry their own formalities wherever you are: deeds, wills, some property instruments, and anything requiring a witness or a notary. Sign only what you are authorised to sign, since applying another person signature without their authority is forgery whatever tool is used.
PDF Verified is a tool for preparing, signing, stamping and checking documents. It is not a law firm, a compliance service or a forensic examiner, and nothing here is legal, financial or compliance advice. Requirements differ by country, by document type and by the party asking, so check what applies to your document before you rely on it, and take advice where the document matters. You are responsible for the documents you create, sign and send, and for having the authority to do so: signing or stamping in somebody else name, or as an organisation you do not represent, is forgery whatever tool is used. To the extent the law allows, we accept no liability for how a document made with this tool is used or relied on. The full position is in our terms of service.