Use the recipient's wording
Ontario distinguishes certified records by a Ministry seal. A recipient that expressly requires certification should be asked for the exact product and delivery requirements. Do not assume an ordinary emailed copy becomes certified when it is printed.
Keep product and certification separate
First identify the record type, then establish whether the recipient requires a certified copy. Those are two different decisions. Ordering a different record with a seal may still fail to provide the information requested.
Follow the applicable route
Official instructions explain certified record ordering. The private MDA links here are limited to the stated uncertified services. View the live product description rather than treating this reference site as a promise that any copy will be accepted.
- Named record
- Required certification
- Accepted delivery format
- Required issue date
Illustrative example: printing a file does not change the order
Suppose a person already has an uncertified electronic record and later receives a request for a certified copy. Printing the file, improving its appearance or placing it in a formal-looking folder does not answer the certification requirement. The first step is to confirm that the recipient really requires certification of that particular product, then consult the official ordering instructions.
Keep the earlier copy intact rather than attempting to add a seal, signature or explanatory statement to it. If the recipient has a special submission process, obtain those instructions as well. The existing file may remain useful for personal review, but usefulness is different from meeting the newly stated requirement. The example does not promise that any single certified product is suitable for every formal purpose. It shows why the named record, certification and delivery specification must be read together before a new purchase is made.