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Certified copies of original documents
To complete certain processes at the University you may be required to provide certified copies of important documents.
A certified copy of an original document is one that that has been verified as a true copy by an authorised person.
Who can certify documents
An authorised certifier may be a Justice of the Peace (the University has a number of JPs on campus who are available by appointment) or someone from the following occupations:
- an accountant (member of a recognised professional accounting body or a Registered Tax Agent)
- a judge, barrister, solicitor or patent attorney
- a Commissioner for Affidavits, Declarations or Oaths
- a bail justice or sheriff
- a police officer
- a postal manager
- a principal of an Australian secondary college, high school or primary school
- a medical practitioner
- a minister of religion.
Other authorising officers are:
- an officer at a tertiary admissions centre: UAC, VTAC, QTAC, SATAC, TISC;
- staff members of the University of Sydney
- Admissions Officer or Student Services Office at any Australian university or TAFE college
- the official records department of the institution that originally issued the document(s).
Certifiers outside Australia
If you’re outside of Australia, the following the people can certify your documents:
- an authorised officer of an Australia overseas diplomatic mission
- staff members of the University of Sydney
- an authorised officer of an Australian Education Centre
- an authorised agent of the University approved by the University of Sydney International Office (a list is held by the International Office)
- a school headmaster or other recognised examining authority
- a Notary Public
- authorised officer in accordance with local legislation/practice.
How to certify a document
The original document must be viewed by the certifier and they must personally copy the original document and verify it by completing the following:
- Use a stamp or write by hand on the copy: “This is a true copy of the original document sighted by me” on each page of the document
- Sign the statement on each page
- Write by hand the following details:
- name and business address
- contact telephone number
- professional or occupational group (as listed above)
- date verified.
- Put the official stamp or seal of the verifier's organisation on the copy, if the organisation has such a stamp
- If the certifying officer is a Justice of the Peace the certifying officer must list the registration number and Australian state/territory of registration.
Last updated: 29 September 2022
