Certified copy
An official copy of a court order, judgment or public record, certified by the issuing office as a true copy. It is needed for appeals and is accepted as proof of the original.
A certified copy is a copy issued by the court or office that holds the original, with a certificate that it is a true copy, signed and sealed by the officer. Courts, registries and government offices accept it in place of the original.
When you need one
- To file an appeal or revision against a court order or decree.
- To execute a decree, or to show an order to a bank, police station or registrar.
- To prove a registered document or a public record in another case.
Time to get a copy and limitation
Under Section 12 of the Limitation Act, 1963, the time taken to obtain a certified copy of the decree, judgment or order is excluded when counting the limitation period for an appeal or review. Apply promptly and keep the receipt that shows the date of application.
How to apply
- Apply to the copying section of the court, or online where e-copying is available (the Supreme Court and many High Courts offer it).
- Give the case number, the date of the order and the pages needed.
- Pay the copying fee and collect the copy, or download a digitally signed copy.
Use the certified copy application, and read how to get a certified copy of a court order.
Checked against the sources below on 7 November 2026 IST. General information about Indian law, not legal advice for your case.
Documents that use this term
Guides that explain more
- How to Get a Certified Copy of a Court Order or Judgment
A certified copy comes from the court's copying section with a signed and sealed certificate. Here is how to apply, what urgent and online copies mean, and why the date you apply matters for an appeal.