Document Certification Services in London

James Immigration Solutions Ltd provides professional document certification services by prior appointment in London and Ilford.

Our document certification service is provided by Fahad Zohaib Asghar FCILEx, a Fellow of CILEX and Commissioner for Oaths.

We can compare an original document with a copy and, where appropriate, certify that the copy is a true copy of the original document presented to us.

Before booking, you should confirm that the organisation receiving your documents will accept certification by a Fellow of CILEX or Commissioner for Oaths.

What Is a Certified Copy?

A certified copy is a photocopy or printed copy of an original document that has been checked against the original by an appropriate professional.

The certifier normally:

• Examines the original document
• Compares the copy with the original
• Adds the required certification wording
• Signs and dates the copy
• Prints their name and professional status
• Adds relevant professional or contact details

A certified copy confirms that the copy matches the original document presented. It does not independently prove that the original document itself is genuine.

This distinction is confirmed in the official CILEX document-certification guidance.

Documents We May Certify

Subject to the receiving organisation’s requirements, we may certify copies of:

• Passports
• Photocard driving licences
• Immigration-status documents
• Letters from government departments
• Bank or building-society statements
• Credit-card statements
• Utility bills
• Council Tax statements
• Letters from hospitals or medical professionals
• Employment letters
• Payslips
• Professional membership documents
• Educational certificates
• Qualification certificates
• Tenancy agreements
• Company documents
• Other identity or official documents

Some documents have special certification requirements. Certain organisations may require an original official copy issued by the relevant authority rather than a photocopy certified by a legal professional.

Passport Copy Certification

A passport copy may be required for:

• Employment checks
• Professional registrations
• Financial institutions
• Educational applications
• Company procedures
• Identification checks
• Immigration-related applications
• Overseas administrative matters

You must normally bring the original passport to the appointment. We will compare the relevant copied pages with the original passport before deciding whether we can certify them.

Certifying a copy of a passport is different from countersigning a passport application or passport photograph. Passport applications have separate requirements.

Driving Licence Certification

We may certify a photocopy of a valid photocard driving licence where the receiving organisation accepts certification by a Fellow of CILEX or Commissioner for Oaths.

You must bring the original driving licence. The copy will be checked against the original before it is signed and dated.

Bank Statement and Financial Document Certification

Certified financial documents may be required by:

• Banks
• Mortgage providers
• Educational institutions
• Employers
• Professional bodies
• Government departments
• Overseas authorities

We may certify a copy of a bank statement, payslip or other financial document where the original or acceptable source document is available.

Certification does not verify the source of the funds, the accuracy of the financial information or the authenticity of the underlying transaction. It only confirms that the copy corresponds with the document presented.

Qualification and Educational Document Certification

Universities, employers, professional bodies and overseas authorities may request certified copies of:

• Degree certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Training certificates
• Professional qualifications
• Continuing professional development certificates
• School or college certificates

Before attending, confirm whether the recipient will accept a copy certified by a Fellow of CILEX. Some institutions may require certification by the issuing university, a Notary Public or another specified professional.

Government and Official Documents

We may be able to certify copies of official correspondence and documents, including:

• Government department letters
• HMRC correspondence
• Local-authority documents
• Court correspondence
• NHS or medical letters
• Immigration correspondence
• Professional-registration documents

Birth, death, marriage and civil-partnership certificates may sometimes require an official certified copy issued by the relevant register office rather than certification of a photocopy.

Who Can Certify a Document?

Government guidance explains that a document may be certified by a professional person or someone of good standing. However, the organisation requesting the document may impose its own requirements.

The person certifying the document should not normally be:

• Related to the document holder
• Living at the same address
• In a personal relationship with the document holder
• Personally interested in the matter

Read the official GOV.UK guidance on certifying documents.

CILEX confirms that Fellows can generally certify documents, but there is no statutory obligation requiring every organisation to accept a document certified by a Fellow.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Please bring:

• The original document
• The copy requiring certification, if already prepared
• Valid photographic identification
• Instructions from the receiving organisation
• Details of where the document will be submitted
• Details of the country where it will be used
• Any specific wording required by the recipient
• The relevant application or reference number
• Any deadline that applies

If you do not have a copy, ask before attending whether copying facilities will be available.

We will not normally certify a photocopy, photograph, scan or screenshot without seeing the original document or another source acceptable for the particular certification.

Document Certification Process

Our process normally involves:

1. Receiving details of the document and its intended use
2. Checking the receiving organisation’s requirements
3. Confirming whether we can provide the certification
4. Booking an appointment
5. Examining the original document
6. Comparing the copy with the original
7. Adding the appropriate certification wording
8. Signing and dating the copy
9. Adding professional and contact details
10. Returning the certified copy to you

The precise wording and treatment of multi-page documents depend on the recipient’s requirements.

Standard Certification Wording

A certified copy may include wording such as:

“Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.”

The certification may also include:

• Signature of the certifier
• Date of certification
• Full printed name
• Professional title
• Business address
• Telephone number
• Membership or professional details

The receiving organisation may require different wording. Send its instructions to us before the appointment.

Certified Copy or Witnessed Signature?

Certifying a copy and witnessing a signature are different services.

Certified copy

The professional compares a copy with the original and confirms that the copy matches the original presented.

Witnessed signature

The professional observes a person sign a document and confirms that the signature was made in their presence.

Oath or statutory declaration

The person formally swears, affirms or declares that the contents of a statement are true before a Commissioner for Oaths.

If your document requires an oath, affidavit or statutory declaration, please use our separate Commissioner for Oaths Service.

Document Certification or Notarisation?

Document certification is not automatically the same as notarisation.

A certified copy may be suitable for many purposes within the UK. However, documents intended for use overseas may require a Notary Public.

A Notary Public commonly authenticates documents for foreign authorities and uses a separate notarial seal. The principal role of a notary in England and Wales is to attest the authenticity of deeds and legal documents intended for use abroad.

You should ask the receiving authority whether it requires:

• An ordinary certified copy
• Certification by a solicitor
• Certification by a Commissioner for Oaths
• Certification by a Fellow of CILEX
• Notarisation by a Notary Public
• An apostille
• Embassy or consular legalisation

JISL does not describe its document certification service as a notarial service.

Do You Need an Apostille?

An apostille is issued through the UK Legalisation Office to confirm the signature, seal or stamp of a UK public official on a document.

Apostille requirements are separate from ordinary document certification. The receiving authority may require the original document or a copy signed by a particular professional, such as a UK Notary Public or solicitor.

Check the official GOV.UK legalisation and apostille guidance before booking certification.

JISL does not issue apostilles and cannot guarantee that a document certified through this service will be accepted for legalisation.

Documents Intended for Use Abroad

If a document will be used outside the UK, tell us:

• The destination country
• The receiving organisation
• The purpose of the document
• Whether notarisation has been requested
• Whether an apostille is required
• Whether embassy legalisation is required
• Any required certification wording

Government guidance states that where a certified copy of a UK document is required for legalisation, a UK-based notary may be needed.

It is the document holder’s responsibility to confirm the recipient’s requirements before certification.

Certified Translations

Certifying a copy of a document is different from certifying a translation.

Where a document is not written in English or Welsh, the receiving authority may require a professional translation containing:

• Confirmation that it is a true and accurate translation
• The date of translation
• The translator’s full name
• The translator’s contact details
• The translator’s signature or certification

JISL’s document certification service does not automatically include translation or translator certification.

Same-Day Document Certification

Same-day appointments may be available depending on:

• The type of document
• The number of documents
• The number of pages
• The intended use
• The required certification wording
• Appointment availability

Documents should be sent for review before attending. Same-day service cannot be confirmed until we know the recipient’s requirements.

Document Certification Fees

Our professional fee depends on:

• The type of document
• The number of documents
• The number of pages
• The number of certified copies required
• Whether special wording is needed
• The intended country of use
• The appointment location
• Whether urgent service is requested

The fee will be confirmed before the appointment.

The certification fee does not automatically include:

• Photocopying
• Translation
• Legal advice
• Document drafting
• Notarisation
• Apostille applications
• Embassy legalisation
• Courier charges

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a certified copy prove?

It confirms that the copy matches the original document presented to the certifier. It does not independently prove that the original itself is genuine.

Do I need to bring the original document?

Yes, in most cases. We normally need to examine the original before certifying the copy.

Can you certify a scanned or emailed copy?

Not usually without seeing the original or an acceptable source document. Contact us with the recipient’s requirements before booking.

Will every organisation accept a CILEX-certified copy?

No. The receiving organisation decides who it will accept as a certifier. Confirm its requirements before attending.

Can you certify my passport?

We may certify a passport copy where the receiving organisation accepts certification by a Fellow of CILEX or Commissioner for Oaths.

Can you certify my degree certificate?

We may be able to certify it, but some universities, employers or overseas authorities require certification by the issuing institution or a Notary Public.

Can you certify documents for use abroad?

Possibly, but overseas documents frequently require notarisation, an apostille or embassy legalisation. Check with the receiving authority first.

Is certification the same as notarisation?

No. Notarisation is a separate service performed by a qualified Notary Public, commonly for documents intended for use abroad.

Can JISL obtain an apostille?

This document certification service does not include issuing or guaranteeing an apostille. Apostilles are issued through the UK Legalisation Office.

Can you certify a translation?

A translated document normally requires confirmation from the translator. Ordinary copy certification does not verify the accuracy of a translation.

Can I obtain multiple certified copies?

Yes, subject to document review and payment of the applicable fee for the required number of copies.

Are same-day appointments available?

Same-day appointments may be available after the document and recipient’s requirements have been checked.

Book a Document Certification Appointment

Appointments are available in Ilford and London by prior arrangement.

Document certifier: Fahad Zohaib Asghar FCILEx
CILEX membership number: 60039032
Telephone/WhatsApp: +44 7944 222484
Email: admin@jisl.co.uk
Website: www.jisl.co.uk

Send a clear copy of the document and the receiving organisation’s instructions before attending.

Professional Information

Fahad Zohaib Asghar is a Fellow of CILEX and Commissioner for Oaths.

James Immigration Solutions Ltd is Company No. 15056317.

JISL is separately regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1, organisation reference F202538614. This immigration authorisation is separate from the document certification service.

Certification does not guarantee that a document will be accepted. The receiving organisation, government department, court, embassy or overseas authority determines its own certification requirements.