Guide
Certified copy vs true copy vs plain copy
Three different things. People ask for one and need another, discover it a fortnight later, and start again. Two minutes here saves that.
Certified copy
Issued by the court itself. You apply at the copying agency, pay a court fee, and the court prepares a copy, stamps it, and has a copying clerk attest and date it.
This is the only version with independent legal standing. Filing an appeal, starting execution, producing a decree before a sub-registrar, proving an order to a bank or an employer — all of these need a certified copy. Under the Indian Evidence framework it is admissible as secondary evidence of the original record; nothing below is.
यही असली वाली है। Court से मिलती है, court की मोहर लगी होती है, और अदालत में यही चलती है।
True copy
Attested by an advocate, not by the court. Your advocate photocopies a document and writes “true copy” with their signature and stamp, certifying it matches what they have seen.
It is used constantly in day-to-day practice — serving papers on the other side, filing sets of annexures, sharing documents between advocates. It is a convenience, not proof. Where a court needs the record proved, a true copy will not do.
Plain copy / ordinary copy
Just a photocopy. No attestation from anyone. Some courts issue plain copies of orders quickly and cheaply, and free copies of judgments are supplied to parties in certain matters.
Useful for reading, for showing your advocate, for starting to prepare. Zero legal standing. Never file one where a certified copy is required.
Side by side
| Certified | True copy | Plain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attested by | The court | An advocate | Nobody |
| Accepted as proof | Yes | No | No |
| Time | 7–10 working days | Same day | Same day |
| Cost | Court fee, per page | Advocate's charge | Photocopy rate |
| Use it for | Appeal, execution, any authority | Service, annexures | Reading, preparation |
Which one do you need?
- Filing an appeal or revision — certified, and apply the same week the order goes against you.
- Starting execution of a decree — certified.
- Producing a court order to a bank, employer, registrar or any government office — certified. They will not accept less.
- Serving papers on the opposite party — true copy is normal.
- Reading the order, or showing it to an advocate for an opinion — plain copy is fine and fastest.
When unsure, get certified. It takes longer and costs more, but it is accepted everywhere the other two are — and a rejected filing costs far more than the court fee.
Getting one without the trips
MyCaseFile files at the copying agency, follows it up and couriers the certified copy to you. Flat ₹899 plus actual court fee, nothing if we cannot get it.