[Question] Certified Document Copies

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  [Deactivated] on 26/01/2016 - 23:01

  +1

  It would be illegal to make any alterations to the certified copy, once it has been positively certified. The JP is attesting that the copy is identical to the original, and if the copy is redacted before being certified then it may not be certified, as the original isn't redacted.

  If the copy is redacted after being certified, then sure the certifier won't know about it, but the action itself would be against the law.

  • 

    Tnetennba on 26/01/2016 - 23:07

    So essentially what the recipient of these copies is asking me to do is break the law? I don't understand how else I can provide a certified copy but also redacted.. It didn't make sense to me which is why I posted here.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 26/01/2016 - 23:47

      Are you sure that the copy needs to be certified? Perhaps try explaining this notion to them, that the original isn't redacted and neither can the copy.

      Easy to get around this if the certification requirement isn't there…

      • 

        Tnetennba on 27/01/2016 - 00:13

        It must be certified, but they are happy to accept a certified and then blanked copy.. It's only for verification purposes, I'm not sure it really matters if they are happy with it.. :|

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 27/01/2016 - 00:22

        @brezzo:

        Well, if they've explicitly said that they are prepared to receive a certified copy which is later redacted, then I'd simply proceed with that. After all, that's exactly what they want.

        Also, try going over the redacted area on both sides of the paper, which will make the underlying information harder to identify.

        I wouldn't really go scan or photocopy the certified copy though, because a copy of a certified copy isn't itself an attested document.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 27/01/2016 - 08:40

    Its not at all illegal.

    What may be illegal is trying to pass off the modified copy as unaltered for your gain through deception. The receiving party is fine for things to be redacted, so no problem.

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  altomic on 27/01/2016 - 03:49

  +4

  Make a copy of the original.
  Black out the personal information.
  Make a copy of this censored copy and have a JP certify that.

  It is a certified copy of the original(copy).

  So you end up with 3 documents:
  1) original
  2) copy of original censored.
  3) JP certified copy of original censored copy #2

  • 

    Emilia on 27/01/2016 - 08:50

    -1

    You can't make a copy of an already certified copy. You can only certify a copy of an ORIGINAL document.
    I'm a pharmacist and I certify documents all the time.

    • 

      Lysander on 27/01/2016 - 10:59

      +2

      Technically altomic is correct.

      All you do is to certify that two documents are identical. In other words, you certify that the copy you are shown is identical to the document you are shown as original. Whether or not that original is a copy itself is not really the point. A lot of my university replacement certificates are simple printouts which do not like a bit different than copies of the document. The only reason why I know it is the "original" is because it came in the university envelope.
      So what altomic suggests is fine. Especially, since a bank statement is merely a machine print out as well which has no original signature or raised writing.

      Source: JPs have done this many times for me, also the police has done it several times, librarians, pharmacists, public trustee - also I work in an area where this is relevant.

      • 

        altomic on 27/01/2016 - 16:46

        Yes, not a copy of a certified document. The document which will be certified is the 3rd document. A copy of (a copy of the original that has been censored).

        You could certify a photocopy of a piece of toilet paper provided you have the original to verify.

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  cDNA on 27/01/2016 - 09:33

  -2

  Go into a Department of Justice office or hire a respected lawyer and ask them to sign your forms. You can trust them with any sort of information. I assume the documents do not incriminate you in any sort of way. If they do, hire the lawyer!