A certified copy of an Original document is a copy (typically a photocopy) that bears a certificate or endorsement stating that it is a genuine copy of the Original document. It merely certifies that the main document is a true-copy of the source document, not that it is authentic.

In English-speaking legal systems nations, a certified-copy is a typical technique of giving a copy of papers. Obtaining it is typically affordable. For formal Government or judicial purposes, as well as commercial uses, a certified-copy may be necessary. It prevents the owner of crucial papers (particularly identification documents) from relinquishing control of those documents, putting them at danger of loss or damage.

It resembles a notarized-copy, which is a document that is used in various nations, including the United States. A notary public signs a notarized copy. A person designated by the individual or organization requesting the certified copy signs it. The individual is generally addressed as an authorized user. The person who has the authority to sign the certification varies by country. A person may be authorised to do so by law (for example, a court-clerk, solicitor, or public official), although this is not always the case. Official-documents can also be validated by approved Post Office workers in some countries, such as the UK and South Africa. The supplementary certificate is normally necessary if the primary-document has to be translated. A birth certificate written in Russian, for example, can be utilized in an English-speaking nation. Typically, the documents must be properly translated and include a copy of the Original document as well as the lawyer's certificate of correctness. The Original document, translation, and certificate of correctness are then photocopied into a certified copy. It is probable that a validated copy of an English Birth Certificate will be required for usage in Russia.