Below is a summary of documents you may need to submit to the Inn along with the certification requirements. Refer to your specific application form (e.g. Admission, Call) to see which documents you must provide.
Documents You May Need to Submit
1. Identification
Provide a certified copy of:
- Photographic ID (passport, national ID card, or driving licence)
- Other ID, if required (e.g. birth or marriage certificate, deed poll)
2. Academic Qualifications
- Submit a certified copy of your degree certificate(s) (undergraduate or postgraduate) OR arrange for the university to confirm your degree directly to the Inn via email
- Bar Course / BTT - No documents needed — the Inn gets your results sent directly from your course provider.
📌 Certificates issued in a language other than English must be accompanied with a professional certified translation.
3. Certificate of Academic Standing
For applicants with undergraduate degrees obtained outside the UK and Republic of Ireland (excluding transferring lawyers), submit the PDF issued by the BSB (no certification needed)
4. Certificate of Good Standing (transferring lawyers only)
Provide a certified copy unless it is only issued as a soft copy, in which case submit the PDF as-is (no certification needed)
🔍 Certification Requirements
✅ What is a Certified Copy?
A certified copy is a photocopy of an original hard copy document that has been signed and verified by an authorised person to confirm it is a true copy of the original
📌 You cannot certify a document that was originally received electronically (e.g. PDF or email printout)
Certification Options
1. UK Post Office
A certification service is available (for a fee). Bring both the original document and a photocopy
2. In person at the Inn
You may bring your documents to the Inn, and we can make certified copies for you (free of charge)
📌 Do not post original documents – the Inn does not accept responsibility for their return
3. Professional person
✅ Who Can Certify?
The certifier must be one of the following:
- Accountant
- Bank or building society official
- Barrister
- Councillor
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Embassy official
- Lecturer or university official
- Minister of religion
- Solicitor or notary
- Teacher
They must not be:
- Related to you
- Living at the same address
- In a personal relationship with you
Certifiers can be outside the UK, but the certification must be in English. If a stamp is used and is not in English, add a hand-written translation on the document
📝 How to Certify a Document
- Make a clear photocopy of your original hard copy document
- Take both the original and the photocopy to the certifier
- The certifier must write the following on the front of the copy:
“Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.”
They must also:
- Sign and date the copy
- Print their full name
- Include their occupation, professional address, and phone number
⚠️ Certification on the back of the copy/on a separate page is not accepted
⚠️ Some certifiers may charge a fee.
Example of a certified copy:
This example is a copy of a passport, but the same process applies for certifying any document.
✉️ Submission Notes
- Attach scans of certified documents to your application
- We reserve the right to request original hard copy certified copies by post. If you live outside the UK, factor in the time it may take to post certified documents
- Do not send original documents by post — we cannot guarantee their return
For criminal record checks (Call to the Bar), original ID documents must be sent to DDC Ltd. Certified copies are not accepted for this purpose.
⚠️ Final Notes
- Poor quality copies, incomplete certifications, or uncertified soft copies will delay your application.
- Applicants are expected to follow this guidance closely. The Inn may exercise discretion only in exceptional circumstances.