An exemplified copy of court documents is often necessary when the documents will be provided to a different court -- such as when custody pleadings must be presented to a court in another state. Exemplification means the validity of the document has been confirmed by the original courthouse, typically by the court clerk and judge.
Authenticated Copies
An exemplified copy is a copy of an official court document, such as a divorce decree. It is obtained from the clerk of the courthouse where the document was originally filed. The clerk confirms the document's authenticity by signing the copy and affixing a formal seal or stamp. The document may also bear the signature of the judge or an attached certificate from the judge, confirming the clerk's authority to verify the document's authenticity.
Serve Important Purpose
Exemplified copies are often required when the document must be proved or admitted in another court, either domestic or foreign. For example, a mother may have relocated out of the country with her child and may need an exemplified copy of the custody order to prove to a foreign court or authorities that the father's parental rights were terminated if he later claims the child was abducted.