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"Notarized Copy" is the same as "Certified Copy"???

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  1. #1

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    Red face "Notarized Copy" is the same as "Certified Copy"???

    Hi, i have the following request from a visa office:
    For any dependent children: notarized copy of the original hospital birth certificate


    is it the same as "certified copy" from Hong Kong immigration department, they call it "Certified Copy of an Entry in the Births Register"?
    please kindly advise. cheers


  2. #2

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    anyone would advise please?


  3. #3

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    Notarised and certified are two different things.

    To be notarised you have to go to a qualified notary public.


  4. #4

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    It is not the same. In some instances, certified can mean it must be witnessed by certain groups of people (eg Chartered Accountant, Judge, Doctor/Dentist, Bank Officer, Embassy staff, etc). Whereas notorised means it has to be certified by a licensed notary public. Not all lawyers are notary publics, they have to get the requisite license before they can call themselves that..


  5. #5

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    This post sums up the differences:

    https://hongkong.geoexpat.com/forum/...ml#post2753430


  6. #6

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    thanks so much for all the advice here, guys
    the document requested is Birth Certificate, not some agreement or whatsoever that need to be signed in front of some witness or something.
    Because the cost is really so much different:
    Certified copy of birth certificate from HK Govt = $140
    Notarized document from notary public = $1,500

    this request is for canada visa purpose... so confusing...
    anyone has experience with canada visa office?


  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Andy SNK:
    thanks so much for all the advice here, guys
    the document requested is Birth Certificate, not some agreement or whatsoever that need to be signed in front of some witness or something.
    Because the cost is really so much different:
    Certified copy of birth certificate from HK Govt = $140
    Notarized document from notary public = $1,500

    this request is for canada visa purpose... so confusing...
    anyone has experience with canada visa office?
    Ironically I'm looking into some Canadian visa stuff at the moment and it seems that if the document needs authentication outside of Canada they will ONLY accept a notarised copy and no other form of authentication.

    I'm not sure if the Canadian Consulate will recognise a document authenticated in front of a commissioner of oaths as notarised, but I very very much doubt it.
    Andy SNK likes this.

  8. #8

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    Dang!
    may i know how much you have to pay for a notarized copy? and where?
    i need 2 birth certificate to be notarized copy
    cheers


  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Andy SNK:
    Dang!
    may i know how much you have to pay for a notarized copy? and where?
    i need 2 birth certificate to be notarized copy
    cheers
    It really depends on the notary you go to. Seems the going rate is roughly HK$900 - 1500.

    FYI from the Canadian Immigration website:

    Who can certify copies?

    Persons authorized to certify copies include the following:

    In Canada:

    a notary public
    a commissioner of oaths
    a commissioner of taking affidavits

    Outside Canada:

    a notary public
    Andy SNK and ummbongo like this.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by pin:
    It really depends on the notary you go to. Seems the going rate is roughly HK$900 - 1500.

    FYI from the Canadian Immigration website:

    Who can certify copies?

    Persons authorized to certify copies include the following:

    In Canada:

    a notary public
    a commissioner of oaths
    a commissioner of taking affidavits

    Outside Canada:

    a notary public
    Really appreciate the detail info, mate
    cheers

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