Can a certified copy be notarised?

Yes, a certified copy can often be notarised by a UK solicitor or Notary Public, and this is frequently a necessary step in the legalisation process, especially if the original certification isn’t directly recognised by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for issuing an apostille.

You might have a document copy that’s already been “certified” in various ways:

• By a UK solicitor or notary: You may need notarisation if the existing signatures are not registered with the FCDO.
• By the issuing body (e.g., a UK University): Universities often issue certified copies of degrees or transcripts, confirming they are true copies from their records.
• By overseas British consular staff: UK officials abroad can sometimes certify copies of documents.
• By other professionals or bodies: Other professionals sometimes certify documents, but this is less common in the legalisation context.

All these certifications generally confirm that the copy is a true likeness of an original document.

The challenge arises when you need a UK apostille. The FCDO issues apostilles against the signature or seal of a recognised UK public official or body.

While a university’s certification confirms the copy is genuine, the university registrar’s signature would not be on the FCDO’s database for apostille purposes.

Similarly, the signature of overseas consular staff might not be directly verifiable by the FCDO in the UK for issuing an apostille.

This is where an FCDO-registered solicitor or notary public plays a vital role. They can take your existing certified copy (whether certified by a university, consular staff, or if it needs certifying from scratch) and perform a new notarial act:

1. Verification: For example, with a university-certified copy, they might still need to verify with the university (like using the HEDD system).
2. Adding their certification/seal: They will then add their own certification statement, signature, and seal (or their qualified electronic signature for e-apostilles).

So, a certified copy (even one certified by a university or consular staff) can usually be notarised by a UK solicitor or notary public. This step is often necessary because the original certification, while valid for confirming the copy’s accuracy, is not directly verifiable by the FCDO for issuing an apostille.

The notarisation adds a layer of authentication that the FCDO can verify, paving the way for legalisation. We can advise on the specific requirements for your document and handle the necessary notarisation and apostille process.