2011-May 20: Certifying documents

Visa Pak 17 - Information about certifying documents and when to request them, and procedure to be followed with uncertified documents

Visa Paks

20 May 2011

Certifying documents

We have recently been advised by a group of licensed immigration advisers that there have been cases where Immigration Officers have returned original documents to applicants and requested that certified copies are provided. Specific examples include returning passports and requesting certified copies of every passport page.

Returning the document and requesting a certified copy in such cases causes unnecessary and avoidable delays and costs to the applicant.

A13 Documents submitted to support applications clearly explains that all documents submitted in support of an application must be originals, or certified copies unless uncertified photocopies are specifically requested on the relevant INZ form or guide.

This section also explains who is able to certify original documents, and provides instructions on when and how an Immigration Officer may certify photocopies/faxed copies supplied with the original document.

A13.1.10 of the Immigration Instructions were updated on 6 July 2015 as follows:

A13.1.10 Uncertified copies
    a. Where uncertified copies of original documents have been provided, an immigration officer may request to see the original documents before making a decision on the application. 
    b. Uncertified copies must be: 
        i. legible; and 
        ii. in colour, where the original document contains colour; and 
        iii. an accurate reflection of the original document.

Action required:

Where an applicant provides an original document with an uncertified photocopy/faxed copy of the document, Immigration Officers may certify the document as instructed at A13.1.5 Certified copies (c) and (d).

Where an applicant provides an original document without any photocopy/faxed copy of the document, Immigration Officers may photocopy the document and certify this as instructed at A13.1.5 Certified copies (c) and (d).

Please remind staff of the immigration instructions at A13 Documents submitted to support applications.