NZ Document Certification
 

There seem to be conflicting opinions about just who can certify document copies in the UK, especially the issue of whether police officers can or can't. Has anyone used copies certified by a police officer for an application to NZIS?

The NZIS definition is:
"Certified copies are photocopies that have been stamped or endorsed by a person who confirms that the copy is a true copy of the original. The person who certifies the copy must be authorised to do so by law, in your home country or in New Zealand (e.g. a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, lawyer or Court official)."

This presumably excludes ministers of religion - another avenue that some people have mentioned on other threads - but what about the police?

I want to get our stuff certified over Xmas/New Year, when I'll be in England, but with many solictors closed over the holiday period a police officer seems like a good alternative.

John

The police in the UK won't do it for you...
I've asked them, and they are not qualified to do it.

So it's a notary public, solicitor, JP etc. in the UK.

Re: NZ Document Certification
 

I used my local Magistrates Court who did them all for a fixed fee. Can't
remember exactly how much but it was under 10 pounds and I had about 50
documents. Just call them beforehand and they will tell you what time to
come along, usually in the morning before court begins. Had to swear an oath
from the witness box and they asked me a couple of questions but other than
that it was very quick and painless.

Police officers are "not supposed" to sign anything official unless they
know you personally but you might find the odd one who will...


"jseni01d" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > There seem to be conflicting opinions about just who can certify
    > document copies in the UK, especially the issue of whether police
    > officers can or can't. Has anyone used copies certified by a police
    > officer for an application to NZIS?

Re: NZ Document Certification
 

We asked a friend who was a magistrate, and as such a JP. She did it for
free (we bought her a bottle of wine!)
"Ben" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I used my local Magistrates Court who did them all for a fixed fee. Can't
    > remember exactly how much but it was under 10 pounds and I had about 50
    > documents. Just call them beforehand and they will tell you what time to
    > come along, usually in the morning before court begins. Had to swear an
oath
    > from the witness box and they asked me a couple of questions but other
than
    > that it was very quick and painless.
    > Police officers are "not supposed" to sign anything official unless they
    > know you personally but you might find the odd one who will...
    > "jseni01d" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > There seem to be conflicting opinions about just who can certify
    > > document copies in the UK, especially the issue of whether police
    > > officers can or can't. Has anyone used copies certified by a police
    > > officer for an application to NZIS?

Re: NZ Document Certification
 

Check when the courts are open over Xmas though. Most of them are shut.

Nicola




"Ben" wrote in message news:...
    > I used my local Magistrates Court who did them all for a fixed fee. Can't
    > remember exactly how much but it was under 10 pounds and I had about 50
    > documents. Just call them beforehand and they will tell you what time to
    > come along, usually in the morning before court begins. Had to swear an oath
    > from the witness box and they asked me a couple of questions but other than
    > that it was very quick and painless.
    >
    > Police officers are "not supposed" to sign anything official unless they
    > know you personally but you might find the odd one who will...
    >
    >
    > "jseni01d" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > > There seem to be conflicting opinions about just who can certify
    > > document copies in the UK, especially the issue of whether police
    > > officers can or can't. Has anyone used copies certified by a police
    > > officer for an application to NZIS?

Well I went to my local Magistrates Court in West London two days ago, and they said they don't do it. Perhaps elsewhere in the UK they may be more willing. Local solicitors here charge anything between 5 and 10 quid per signature but may be willing to reduce the price if you have loads. Local legal advice centre normally don't charge but are usually very busy and not always available.

Good luck!

Don't forget one option for NZ is to send the originals. The NZIS actually encourages this (as opposed to DIMIA who discourage it) and have a policy of themselves photocopying originals and sending them promptly back to you.

Originals are also, I surmise, a way of giving your case officer confidence in your application as case officers have a good grasp of what originals should look like (ie they don't waste time checking whether your certified copies are likely to contain false information or be based on forgeries etc).

We sent nearly all our documents in original form on the advice of our immigration agent. Our application was dealt with very quickly.

I think if you use a good courier (ie Fedex, DHL, TNT) you should not worry overmuch about originals getting lost.

Cheers Don

Thanks to all those who replied.

My mother has found a kind solicitor who's prepared to certify a load of stuff for free, and on New Year's Eve at that. I'll have to take him a bottle of something for his trouble.

I'm obviously going to take up the offer, but now that you mention it, Don, the idea of sending the originals does sound good. It can't do any harm to have some certified copies on hand, though.

It's all eyes on the NZIS website next week for the December passmark announcement, which will presumably appear soon. A 2-point cut to 28 is my prediction, based on the fact the minister went so far as to say 30 was too high.

Cheers,
John