A person who can certify documents as true copies should be a professional person or a

person of good standing in the community. The list that follows gives examples of the type of
person that would be suitable. The person should not be related by birth or marriage to the
applicant, be in a personal relationship with the applicant or live at the same address.
The person certifying documents should :
 include the words “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me”
 sign
 print their name
 confirm their occupation
 add their address and telephone number

 Accountant  Manager/personnel officer (of a limited

company)
 Airline Pilot  Member, associate or fellow of a
professional body
 Articled clerk of a limited company  Member of parliament
 Assurance agent of a recognised  Merchant Navy Officer
company
 Bank/building society official  Minister of recognised religion
 Barrister  Nurse (RGN and RMN)
 Chairman/Director of a limited company  Officer armed forces (serving or retired)
 Chiropodist  Optician
 Commissioner of oaths  Paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified
paralegal or associate member of Institute
of Paralegals)
 Councillor (local or county)  Person with honours (OBE or MBE etc)
 Civil Servant  Pharmacist
 Dentist  Photographer (professional)
 Director/manager of a VAT registered  Police Officer
charity
 Director/manager/personnel officer of a  Post office official
VAT registered company
 Engineer (with professional qualifications)  President/secretary of a recognised
organisation
 Financial services intermediary  Salvation army officer
(stockbroker/insurance broker)
 Fire service official  Social worker
 Funeral director  Solicitor
 Insurance agent of a recognised  Surveyor
company
 Journalist  Teacher, lecturer
 Justice of the peace  Trade union officer
 Legal secretary (fellow or associate  Travel agent (qualified)
member of the Institute of Legal
Secretaries and PAs)
 Licensee of public house  Valuer or auctioneer (fellows and associate
members of the incorporated society)
 Local government officer (including  Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
register office staff)