What is a notarial copy and what is it for?
If you have ever had to present official documentation for administrative procedures, it is likely that you have been asked for a certified copy. But, what does that mean exactly and when does a notary intervene? We explain it to you.Definition of notarial copy
The notarial copy (or document comparison) is the act by which a notary certifies that a copy of a document is faithful and exact to the original. Through this process, the notary prepares a record stating that they have compared the copy with the original and that both match. The result is a certified copy with full legal validity that can be presented to administrations, courts, companies, or institutions as if it were the original, without the need to exhibit the original document every time.When is a notarial copy needed?
- Procedures before foreign administrations that require Spanish documents to be certified.
- Judicial proceedings in which the authenticity of private documents must be proven.
- Inheritance processes in which property deeds or other documents must be presented.
- Homologation of academic degrees abroad.
- Commercial or banking contracts that require certifying identity documents or notarial powers.
- Application for nationality or residence in Spain or abroad.
Difference between notarial copy and administrative certification
There is an important distinction: the administrative certification is performed by a public official (such as a counter employee of the Administration) and only has validity before that same administration. The notarial copy, on the other hand, has universal validity and can be presented to any body, in Spain or abroad.What documents can be certified?
Practically any document can be the object of notarial certification:- ID card, NIE, or passport.
- University degrees and academic certificates.
- Property deeds or notarial powers.
- Private contracts, invoices, or commercial agreements.
- Birth, marriage, or death records from the Civil Registry.