When you apply for a car loan or passport or conduct business in another state, some of the requirements you need to provide could include certified copies of legal documents. Similarly, if you’re in the middle of a divorce or any legal action, your attorneys might need certified copies of documents that were already filed at the county clerk’s office.
Obtaining certified documents and court records is a service we offer at Serve Index LLC. This is another task our process servers have experience with, along with retrieving legal documents from NY courts.
What Is a Certified Copy of Legal Documents?
A certified copy of any legal document is essentially a photocopy of the original file. When an officer who has custody of the original document certifies a copy, it means that they attest that the certified copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original document. This is where the phrase, “true and certified copy” comes from.
Unlike exemplified copies that must be signed by the county clerk and a judge, certified copies don’t need hand-written signatures from the people who issued the documents.
A few more things that you need to know about certified copies:
- The state of New York doesn’t allow notaries to perform copy certifications for any document.
- In New York, only the custodians of records are allowed to produce certified copies of private and publicly recorded documents.
- Certified copies can only be made from original documents. If it no longer exists and the copy must be made from another duplicate, the certified copy should have the note, “photocopy of a photocopy.”
- A certified copy of a birth certificate is as good as the original when applying for a passport, driver’s license, marriage license, bank and credit card accounts, etc.
These are the publicly recorded documents for which you can get a certified copy in New York:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Passport and driver’s license
- Transcripts and other student records
- Income tax forms
- Citizenship and naturalization certificates
- Documents filed in court proceedings
- Documents recorded by the Clerk of the Court
- Public records of government offices
How Do I Obtain a Certified Copy of Legal Documents?
How Do I Obtain a Certified Copy of Legal Documents?The process of getting certified copies in New York varies depending on the type of document that needs certifying (recall that New York only allows the official document custodians to certify copies, so each source can have their own SOPs). There are, however, two ways to obtain them:
Requesting via mail
To obtain certified copies of legal documents in New York by mail, follow these steps.
Begin by identifying the relevant authority that holds the specific documents you require. This could be a courthouse, government agency, or records office. Keep in mind that different jurisdictions may have their own distinct procedures and fee structures.
Once you’ve identified the relevant authority, initiate contact with them and formally request the specific documents you require. Ensure to provide all necessary details, such as case numbers, names, and dates, to avoid delay.
Some agencies may require you to complete the request forms they provide. Take your time to accurately and fully fill out these forms, as any errors or omissions can result in delays in processing your request.
Be prepared to cover any required fees for document certification and copying. Consult with the agency to understand the accepted payment methods.
To guarantee the secure return of your requested documents, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. This ensures that the documents are safely mailed back to you.
Once you’ve completed all the necessary steps, mail your request, forms, fees, and self-addressed envelope to the appropriate office or agency. Keep in mind that processing times can vary, so patience is key. Upon completion, you will receive your certified copies by mail.
Requesting in person
If you’re planning on requesting documents in person, confirm their hours of operation, check their website or call ahead before visiting during their regular business hours.
When visiting the authority, make sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, to prove your identity. Approach the designated counter or office and provide any pertinent details like case numbers or file references when requesting the specific legal documents you need.
Be prepared to cover fees for document certification and copying. Payment methods may vary, so having cash or cards on hand is advisable.
Upon receiving the certified copies, take the time to review and verify that they match your requirements.
Lastly, it’s crucial to securely store your certified copies, given their legal significance. This will ensure you have the necessary documentation readily available when needed.
The general process for obtaining a certified copy also goes like this:
Step 1: File a request for a certified copy of the document you need.
Step 2: Pay the fee.
Step 3: Allow the custodian to conduct a search (“Find on File”). How long it takes to find the original document on file, however, depends on how old it is. The farther back the custodian must search, the longer it could take to find the original document. You might also be asked to pay additional fees if the search is more extensive than expected.
Step 3: Receive a notification that your certified copy is ready.
Step 4: Claim the certified copy from the custodian.
This is a simplified version of the process. Obtaining a certified copy of a divorce decree, for example, has extra requirements like you must be a party to the divorce or have a notarized letter signed by a party to the divorce. Minute details like this can be a lot to take if you need to get a certified copy of multiple documents at once.
The Hassle-Free Way of Getting Certified Documents and Court Records
The easiest way to get a certified copy of any legal document is to hire experienced process servers. Whether you need these documents for your personal use or your lawyers need them for a legal action you’re pursuing, Serve Index LLC can do the job.
Hiring process servers to obtain certified documents and court records for you can provide numerous advantages. One of the key benefits is the convenience they offer.
By acting as intermediaries, process servers alleviate the need for individuals to navigate complex legal procedures themselves. They handle the entire process, beginning with identifying the appropriate authorities and concluding with submitting the necessary requests. This saves both time and effort for the individuals seeking the documents.
In addition to convenience, process servers provide efficiency. Process servers have in-depth knowledge of the required forms, fees, and protocols, ensuring a smooth and error-free experience. By leveraging their expertise, individuals can streamline the procedure and minimize the likelihood of mistakes or delays.
Process servers also understand the urgency often associated with retrieving certified documents, whether for legal proceedings, business operations, or personal matters. Process servers are equipped with the necessary know-how to expedite the process and retrieve the documents promptly.
Reliability is another crucial aspect when it comes to hiring professional process servers. By engaging their services, individuals can place trust in their expertise and dedication to their case. Process servers take it upon themselves to ensure that all legal requirements are met, including checking the accuracy and certification of the documents.
Serve Index LLC can obtain certified copies with convenience, efficiency, timeliness, and reliability. Let us retrieve these documents for you!