You can get certified copies of original documents at any police station, at any time.
The certification of copies is provided at no cost.
You must supply your own copy. The public is not permitted to utilize the police station’s resources, such as copier machines and paper.
When seeking certified copies, you must supply the original documents. If the original documents are not presented for verification, copies will not be certified.
Please be patient. Remember that the police station has responsibilities to respond to, and it may take some time before they can attend to you.
You can also have copies certified at the following locations:
Lawyers and notaries public (who are members of a recognised professional body)
Accountants or actuaries (who are members of a recognised professional body)
Members of the judicial system
Directors, managers, or company secretaries of a bank or other regulated financial services organization.
Can you documents at the Post Office?
Customers who need photocopies of identity documents confirmed as a genuine likeness of the original can use the Post Office document certification service. It is critical that you ensure that this service is acceptable to the intended recipient of the certified copies.
What exactly is a certified copy of identification?
A document can be certified as a true copy of the original by having it signed and dated by a professional, such as a solicitor. When applying for a bank account or a mortgage, you may be asked to present documents that have been certified as true copies of the originals.
In South Africa, how long is a certified copy of an ID valid?
The validity period of a certified document is primarily determined by its type and certification. A birth certificate, for example, is permanent, whereas a police clearance certificate is only valid for one year.
