A certified passport copy is made when a Notarial Services Attorney sees your original passport, compares it with the copy and signs and seals a statement that the copy is true to the original. You must bring the physical passport: certifying from a photo or scan is not a certified copy of the original. Many foreign banks specify their own certification wording, so get it from the recipient before your appointment.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29 · General information only, not legal advice for your specific case
Who asks for certified passport copies
- Foreign banks and brokers opening accounts or doing remote KYC
- Some embassies and immigration authorities for visa or residence applications
- Universities and credential evaluation bodies
- Foreign company registries when appointing a director or shareholder living in Thailand
Which pages to copy
At minimum, the biodata page with the photo and machine-readable zone. Some recipients also want the signature page, the latest visa or entry stamps, or every page with entries.
Copies must be clear, show the photo and all numbers, and not be cropped. For multiple sheets the attorney certifies each sheet or binds them with a certificate stating the number of pages.
Certification wording recipients specify
Some banks in the UK, Singapore or Hong Kong ask for wording such as "I certify that this is a true copy of the original and the photograph is a true likeness of the holder", with the certifier's name, capacity, address, contact details and date.
Without specified wording, the attorney uses a standard certificate, but sending the recipient's wording in advance reduces the chance of a resubmission request.
When Consular Affairs authentication is needed
If the recipient wants a government-authenticated document, take the attorney-certified copy to the Legalization Division of the Department of Consular Affairs, and possibly to the destination country's embassy afterwards.
A foreign passport is issued by another state, so some recipients prefer a copy certified by the issuing country's embassy instead. Ask which they accept.
Steps
1. Get the recipient's requirements
Pages, wording, and whether Consular Affairs authentication is needed.
2. Bring the original
A valid, legible passport.
3. Attorney checks and certifies
Compares copy with original, signs, seals and records the certification.
4. Send or authenticate further
Send to the recipient or file with Consular Affairs/the embassy as required.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone bring my passport for me?
Certifying a copy requires the original. Certifying that the photo is a true likeness usually requires the holder to attend in person.
Can you certify from a scan?
Not as a copy certified from the original; the physical passport must be seen.
Can an expired passport be certified?
The attorney can certify the copy matches the passport shown, but most recipients want a valid passport.
How long is a certified copy valid?
That is set by the recipient; many apply a time limit from the certification date.
What does it cost?
It depends on pages and steps needed. Please contact our team for a quotation.
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