Certified copies of public documents
AI Assist
Summary
When a public officer has custody of a public document that a person may inspect, the officer must give that person a copy on demand on payment of the legal fees. The copy must carry a dated certificate at the foot stating it is a true copy, signed with the officer's name and official title and sealed if the officer is authorised to use a seal. Such copies are called certified copies.
Example
Priya goes to the local revenue office to get a copy of her land record. The officer must, on payment of the legal fee, provide a copy with a dated certificate at the foot stating it is a true copy, signed with the officer's name and official title and sealed if authorised. Priya can use this certified copy as an official document.
Bare Act
Enacted textEvery public officer having the custody of a public document, which any person has a right to inspect, shall give that person on demand a copy of it on payment of the legal fees therefor, together with a certificate written at the foot of such copy that it is a true copy of such document or part thereof, as the case may be, and such certificate shall be dated and subscribed by such officer with his name and his official title, and shall be sealed, whenever such officer is authorised by law to make use of a seal; and such copies so certified shall be called certified copies.
Explanation.-Any officer who, by the ordinary course of official duty, is authorised to deliver such copies, shall be deemed to have the custody of such documents within the meaning of this section.
Previous year papers
Pick your exam. we'll email the most recent paper.