Guidelines for Certification of Documents for Award Course Applications

All documents submitted to the University of Sydney must either be original documents or certified copies of original documents. An original document must carry on it the original stamps and signatures of the issuing authority. Listed below are the guidelines for certifying documents:

• When originals are not available and copies of originals are submitted, it is essential that the person certifying the copy has sighted the original.
• Documents can only be certified by the issuing institution, an Australian diplomatic post, a registered agent of the University of Sydney, or, in the People’s Republic of China, a notary public. Justices of the Peace (JPs) are not authorised to certify documents.
• A registered agent of the University must use the agency stamp and sign and print their name on each page when certifying a copy.
• Translations are required for all documents in languages other than English which are submitted with an application. Translations can only be made by an official translator registered with a government body or by those agents which have been designated as translators.
• Certified copies of documents can be accepted in hard copy by mail for application purposes (or by fax or email from agents). However, all successful applicants must bring their original documents with them to Australia and present them for examination. The University will provide successful applicants with further
  details regarding document checking procedures.
• All documents submitted to the International Office become the property of the University and will not be returned.

Please note: Rigorous checks are conducted on applications both before and after students enrol. If any fraudulent documents are discovered appropriate action will be taken. This will result in the withdrawal of an offer or the termination of an enrolment. Checking will involve contacting the original issuing authority to verify transcripts. In addition to contacting the original issuing authority, in the People's Republic of China the Ministry of Education's China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Centre (GDGDC) may be requested to authenticate academic transcripts.