How to certify copies of documents

Overview

Some procedures ask for a 'certified copy' (copia compulsada) rather than the original document — a copy that an authorised body has formally confirmed matches the original. This lets you keep your original safe while still submitting valid proof.

Requirements

• You'll need to bring both the original document and a copy to be certified — the certifying body compares them directly

Step-by-step process

• Bring the original document and a photocopy to a body authorised to certify copies — this commonly includes notaries, certain town halls, and some public administration registry offices
• The office compares the copy against the original and stamps or signs the copy to confirm it's an accurate reproduction
• Use the certified copy for the procedure that requested it, keeping your original safe

Required documents

• The original document
• A photocopy of the document to be certified
• Your ID

Common mistakes

• Assuming any photocopy shop can produce a legally valid certified copy — it needs to be certified by an authorised body, not simply photocopied
• Not checking whether the requesting institution actually needs a certified copy at all — some accept a simple copy alongside the original for comparison instead

Practical tips

• Notaries can certify copies of almost any document but charge a fee; some public administration offices offer this service free for documents relevant to their own procedures
• If you'll need the same certified copy for multiple procedures, ask for more than one at the same visit

How Tuchati can help

If you're not sure whether a specific procedure needs a certified copy, a notarised copy, or something else entirely, Tuchati can help you confirm before you make a trip.