We prefer you send a certified photocopy instead of the original document.

If you have to send us documents, try to send us certified photocopies rather than the original documents.

Original documents
If you decide to send your original documents, you may want to send them by registered mail We will return all the original documents you send us.

Photocopy of an original document
We can only accept a photocopy of an original document if it is readable and if you have someone certify it as a true copy of the original.
If you bring your original documents into any Human Resource Center of Canada (HRCC), our staff will photocopy the documents and certify them for free. If you cannot visit an HRCC, you can ask one of the following people to certify your photocopy:

· accountant
· municipal clerk
· chiropractor
· notary
· commissioner of oaths
· official of a federal or provincial government department
· dentist
· official of an embassy, consulate or high commission
· doctor
· funeral director
· pharmacist
· justice of the peace
· police officer
· lawyer
· postmaster
· manager of a financial institution
· professional engineer
· member of a provincial legislature (or their staff)
· social worker
· member of parliament (or their staff)
· teacher
· minister of religion
· social security official of another country

People who certify photocopies have to compare the original document to the photocopy, state their official position or title, their address and include the date they certified the document.

They also must write the following statement on the photocopy

"This photocopy is a true copy of the original document which has not been altered in any way."

You cannot certify photocopies of your own documents, and you cannot ask a relative to do it for you.

Please write the Client Identification Number ( S.I.N. 123 456 789)
on any document or photocopy that you send us.