Certified Copy vs Notarised Copy

	Certified Copy	Notarised Copy
Who issues it	Commissioner of oaths (police, post office, attorney)	Notary public (admitted by the High Court)
For what use	Domestic South African use	International use, apostille, or when notarisation is specifically required
Authority level	Basic — confirms the copy matches the original	Higher — includes a notarial certificate with the notary’s seal
International recognition	Not recognised outside South Africa	Recognised internationally
Can be apostilled?	No	Yes — through the High Court

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When You Need a Notarised Copy

• The document is for use overseas
• The receiving authority requires notarisation (not just certification)
• The document will be submitted for apostille or authentication
• A foreign embassy, employer, or institution specifies a notarised copy

When a Certified Copy Is Enough

• The document is for domestic South African use
• A South African government department, bank, or employer accepts certified copies
• No international legalisation is required

Not sure? Contact us and we will advise which is needed for your specific situation.