Certified copy:
– Copies of original documents can be certified by any Commissioner of Oaths in South Africa by endorsing the document with a Commissioner of Oaths stamp. This indicates that the document itself is a true copy of the original document.


Notarised copy:
– Copies of original documents can be authenticated by a Notary Public to prove that it is a true copy of the original by endorsing the document with a Notary Public stamp or seal.
The process of authentication of documents involves the Notary Public verifying the original document as well as the copy to ensure that the copy is a true copy of the original and that no amendments or adjustments were made thereto. Once the document has been notarised, the Notary Public issues a collation certificate.