Who can certify documents?

Certifying a copy of a Customer’s ID document in Australia

Documents can be certified as a true copy of the original document, by any of the following certified signatories: 

1. Justice of the Peace

2. A registered Legal practitioner

3. Accountant who is a fellow of the National Tax Accountants' Association or a member of any of the following: 

• Institute of the Chartered Accountants of Australia
• The Association of Taxation and Management Accountants
• The Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA)
• The Institute of Public Accountants

4. Commissioner for Affidavits

5. Commissioner for Declarations

6. A Public Notary

7. Medical practitioner

8. Pharmacist

9. A federal, state or territory Police officer

10. An American Express employee

Certification requirements

The certification must include the following and make a statement as below:

1. Certifier’s full name
2. Category/Qualification of certifier. For example, Justice of the Peace
3. Stamp/Seal (if applicable)
4. Registration number (if applicable)
5. Signature
6. Date
7. For photo and non-photo IDs: "I certify this to be a true copy of the original, which I have sighted or similar."

Certification when overseas

When certification occurs overseas, copies of international identification provided by a Customer residing overseas must be certified by a person authorised by law in that country to take statutory declarations or the equivalent.

It is important that the trusted referee must not be:

1. Related to the Customer. For example, a trusted referee cannot be their parent, child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or cousin.
2. The spouse or partner of the Customer
3. A person who lives at the same address as the Customer
4. A person involved in the transaction or business requiring the certification