How to get a certified true copy online in Canada.

What a certified true copy is — and is not

When a notary certifies a true copy, they are attesting to one narrow fact: the copy in front of them faithfully reproduces the original document they examined. They are not vouching for the authenticity of the original, its legal effect, or the truth of anything it says. A notary can certify a copy of a diploma without confirming you earned the degree; that verification is the issuing institution's job.

This is the most common reason people are asked for certified copies. Universities, licensing bodies, immigration programs, and employers frequently want proof of a credential without taking custody of your only original passport or degree.

How certification works over video

The mechanics are simple but exacting. During the call you hold the physical original up to your camera. The notary examines it — often asking you to turn pages, tilt the document to show security features, or zoom in on specific details — and compares it against the copy you uploaded. Once satisfied that the copy matches, the notary attaches a certification statement, signs, and seals it.

Good lighting and a steady camera make a real difference here. A blurry passport page under a dim lamp can mean the notary cannot complete the certification, so set yourself up near a window or a bright lamp before the call.

Preparing your copy

1. Scan or photograph every page of the original, including blank pages if the document is paginated.
2. Keep it legible. Full page in frame, no cropped edges, no glare across text or photographs.
3. Upload before the appointment so the notary has the copy on screen during the call.
4. Have the original physically with you — not in a safety deposit box, not with a family member.

Documents a notary usually cannot certify

• Documents you only have as a scan or email attachment. No physical original means nothing to compare.
• Records the issuer restricts. Some vital statistics documents must be certified by the issuing authority itself.
• Documents needing apostille or legalization. That is a separate government process that happens after notarization.
• Copies of copies. Including a previously certified copy — go back to the original.

If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, send us the details before booking. We check at no charge, and we would rather tell you in advance than have you sit through an appointment that cannot be completed.

How many copies to get

If several institutions each want a certified copy, ask for multiple certifications in the same appointment — it is far cheaper than booking separate sessions later. Applicants for immigration programs, professional licensing, and graduate school often need three or four, and each certification after the first is charged at the additional-page rate rather than a full fee.

What it costs

The first certified true copy is $49.99 CAD, and each additional copy or page handled in the same appointment is $26 CAD. See certified true copy costs for examples.