Getting A Certified Copy Of Your Birth Certificate
Birth Certificate Certified Copies
For court, government, commercial and academic purposes, you may be required to obtain certified copies of original documents, such as birth certificates, rather than a mere photocopy. Instead of submitting an original birth certificate to a government agency or a financial institution, you may submit a certified copy of the document which allows you to avoid the risk of losing or damaging your original birth certificate that can be costly and time consuming to replace.
The legal team at Kahane Law Office is happy to certify an exact copy of your birth certificate at its Calgary office. We also make certified copies of other documents. Keep reading to learn more about what we do, the process and how we help you obtain one.
What Is A Certified Copy Of A Birth Certificate?
A certified copy reproduces an original document, typically through a photocopy or a printed photograph. The reproduction with seal authenticates it as a true copy of the original document by way of the notary. The authorized individual will stamp the photocopy or printed photograph stating that it is a true copy of the original document. However, a certified copy of a document does not guarantee that the original document is genuine. Thus, a certified copy only guarantees that it is a true copy of the original document.
A certified true copy will include the following wording: “I hereby certify that the within instrument is a true and correct copy of the original document of which it purports to be a true copy.” Most governments and organizations recognize the notary seal that we affix to the certified copy. While not often necessary, on request, we provide the documentation indicating the nature of the Notary status in Alberta. We provide this confirmation at no additional cost. In Alberta, all lawyers automatically become notaries on admission to the Bar. In addition, some individuals solely have the status of notary without being a lawyer.
When Do I Need A Certified Copy Of My Birth Certificate?
The requirement for a certified copy of your birth certificate commonly exists as supporting documentation for academic, employment, immigration and government applications. Birth certificates serve as a record of where a birth occurred. Therefore, a certified copy usually reflects acceptable proof of citizenship. Specifically, you may require a certified copy of your birth certificate when applying for:
- work visas;
- tourist travel visas;
- study permits;
- boarding school applications;
- temporary resident permits;
- refugee status;
- passports;
- driver’s licence;
- social security cards;
- professional or educational exchanges;
- professional or trade licences;
- sponsorships; and lastly
- post-secondary programs abroad.
Process For Making Birth Certificate Certified Copies
If you require a certified copy of your birth certificate, call us to book an appointment. While we encourage appointments, we welcome same day and walk-in appointments. Please bring the original birth certificate along with two pieces of valid identification (one must be a government-issued photo identification). Birth certificate certified copies cannot be made from a copy of a birth certificate. We absolutely require the original document. Notably, altering and/or laminating your original birth certificate makes it invalid. We photocopy your birth certificate while you wait (in either black and white or colour). Lastly, on request, we produce multiple copies of the same document.
The certified copy of your birth certificate is stamped, signed and sealed by an authorized person, such as a lawyer, notary public and commissioner of oaths. The individual certifying a document as true should compare the original document to the photocopy, sign, seal and state:
- their name;
- a written statement certifying the copy as true;
- their official title; and lastly
- the date that the birth certificate was certified.
If your certified copy is missing any of the above criteria, you many governments and institutions require resubmitting of a properly certified copy which delays your application.
What If I Misplaced My Original Birth Certificate?
If you have misplaced your Canadian birth certificate, request a copy from the vital statistics office in the province or territory you were born in. As certifying a copy of your birth certificate requires us to examine the original document, we cannot issue a certified copy without your original documentation. In these situations, the requirement is to then order a new one. With that, we then make an notarized reproduction of it. Ordering a new one often takes time, so ordering it in advance is best.
What If My Birth Certificate Is In A Foreign Language?
If your birth certificate is in another language other than English and you wish to use it in Canada, a certified translator must translate the original document to English or French and attach a certificate of translation to both the original birth certificate and the translation. We then photocopy the original birth certificate, translation and the certificate of translation and certified them as true.
Most importantly, if Birth Certificate Certified Copies are needed for foreign countries that do not need translations, then we are able to make a official reproduction without a translation. However, as an Alberta law firm, we cannot give advice on what is required in other countries or jurisdictions. We always recommend that you speak to a lawyer in that jurisdiction to confirm the legal requirements. Failing to do this often leads to the need to re-submit documents. This often takes more time, money and stress for the applicant.
Help With Certifying Your Birth Certificate
We are able to make birth certificate certified copies on a walk in basis if needed. You may need to wait 5-10 minutes, until a lawyer is ready, but we welcome you. You can also make an appointment, if you wish, so that you do not have to wait. We have lots of free parking and are certainly located to make things easy. If you require certified copies of a birth certificate, you can schedule an appointment with one of our experienced notaries or commissioners. We can be reached toll-free at 1-877-225-8817 (or 403-225-8810 locally in Calgary, Alberta), or email us directly here.