Prove your documents are authentic without parting with the originals. When applying for a new job, professional license, or foreign visa, organizations often ask for a “Certified True Copy” of your important documents. Sending your original passport or degree by mail is risky—if it gets lost, replacing it can take months.
At Canada Notary, we provide instant Certified True Copy services. Our licensed Notaries and Commissioners examine your original document and certify that the photocopy is a true, accurate, and unaltered reproduction of the original.
A Certified True Copy (also known as a Notarized Copy) is a photocopy of a primary document that has been verified by a Notary Public. The Notary compares the copy to the original, then stamps, signs, and seals the copy with a statement confirming it is a “true and exact copy of the original.”
This allows you to submit the certified copy for official purposes (like university admissions or government applications) while keeping your valuable original document safe in your possession.
We can certify almost any original document presented in person. Popular requests include:
Identification:
Passports (Canadian & Foreign)
Driver’s Licenses
Permanent Resident (PR) Cards
Citizenship Certificates
Birth & Marriage Certificates
Education & Employment:
University Degrees & Diplomas
Academic Transcripts
Professional Licenses (P.Eng, CPA, RN)
Legal & Financial:
Power of Attorney documents
Wills (Originals only)
Bank Statements & Utility Bills (for proof of address)
We make it fast and easy.
You must bring the original, physical document to our office. We cannot certify a copy of a copy, nor can we certify a digital printout as a “True Copy” of an original (unless we view the digital source directly).
We prefer to make the photocopy ourselves to ensure nothing is altered. If you bring your own copies, we must carefully inspect them against the original.
We apply our official Notary seal, stamp, and signature to the photocopy, turning it into a legally recognized Certified True Copy.
To comply with Ontario law, there are some exceptions:
Religious Documents: In some cases, church records (baptismal certificates) must be certified by the issuing religious institution.
Copyrighted Materials: We generally cannot certify copies of entire books or creative works due to copyright laws.
Digital-Only Documents: If a document only exists as a PDF (e.g., an e-bill), we can notarize a declaration stating you believe it is a true copy, but we cannot certify it as an “original” paper document.
While IRCC does not always explicitly demand notarization for standard tourist visas, visa officers frequently request it to prevent fraud. A Notarized Invitation Letter acts as a sworn affidavit, proving that:
Walk in with your original, walk out with your certified copies in minutes.
Our team knows the specific stamps and formatting required by Service Ontario, Global Affairs Canada, and international consulates.
Need 10 copies of your passport? We offer volume pricing for multiple copies of the same document.
No. To stamp a document as a "True Copy," the Notary must physically hold and inspect the original paper document to ensure it is not a forgery. You must visit us in person.
The certification itself does not expire, but the organization requesting it might. For example, some banks require certified copies to be less than 3 months old. Always check your instructions.
No. A Certified True Copy verifies the photocopy matches the original. An Apostille verifies the signature of the official who issued the document. If your document is for international use, you may need both.
Celebrate with us this Friday — enjoy 10% OFF Notary & Commissioner Services (online & in-person).
Coupon Code: CNOTARY10
Offer valid from September 12–15, 2025. Excludes Apostille and Translation services.
Terms & Conditions
To qualify for the 15% notary discount, eligible individuals must provide valid proof. Full-time students are required to present a valid student ID along with proof of current full-time enrollment. Seniors must be 65 years of age or older and show government-issued ID for age verification. Those receiving social assistance must provide official documentation from either Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Canadian military personnel must present valid military identification. All submitted documentation must be current and verifiable. Canada Notary reserves the right to decline the discount if sufficient proof is not provided.
