Is Your Document Official?

What does the seal on my document mean? If you have lost an original document, you may need to provide an official replacement. Let’s talk about some common document seals and what they mean for you. 

• Official Original Document: An official original document (like a birth certificate or marriage license) will usually have an embossed raised seal stamped on it. It should also have a date and registration number stamped on it when the document was filed with the county or state.

• Certified Copy: If an original document needs to be replaced, a certified copy can be issued by the county or state where it originated. This copy will also have an embossed raised seal stamped on it. There will be language written on the document that specifies that it is a “true and correct copy of the original record”.

• Notarized Document: Some documents require a notary (like a will or power of attorney). This is completed by a person certified to be a notary, usually found at banks, shipping & delivery stores, or professional offices. The notary will verify signatures and document details with a stamp (embossed or stamped), the date and their signature.

• Registration: An example of a registration would be for your vehicle (required to get license plates). There will probably not be any type of seal, but there will be an identification number of the vehicle that has been recorded with the county or state.

• Certificate: Examples of certificates are for vehicles to show ownership, or certificates of vaccination for people and pets. There will be a seal from the state or county (it may printed on the document as a watermark). There will be a title number recorded with the county or state.

• Personal Identifiers: Personal identifiers are specific numbers given to an individual for the purpose of official identification. Examples include driver’s licenses, pet licenses, passports, social security numbers. You may have several different identifiers based on the document. These identifiers are recorded by the appropriate county, state or federal agency and used for legal purposes. 

• Certification: A certification usually represents requirements that have been met for education or work. A document or card will have a stamp or seal, with the date and signature of the authority confirming completion.

Have more questions? Email us at support@masterminddocs.com to discuss!