How to Get Certified Copies of Court Orders and Judgments in India 2025

Need a copy of court judgment? Want certified copy of court order? Whether for appeal, execution, or records, getting certified copies is essential.

Many people struggle with this process. Let's simplify it completely.

What is a Certified Copy?

Certified copy = Official copy of court document certified by court as true copy of original.

Certified by: Court official (usually Reader/Copyist/Section Officer)

Certification stamp/seal states: "Certified to be a true copy of the original on record"

Why needed:

• Legal proof

• Can be used in other courts/offices

• For filing appeals

• For execution

• For official purposes

• Simple photocopy not acceptable in legal matters

Types of Documents You Can Get:

From Court Records:

✓ Judgments (final decisions)✓ Orders (interim/final)✓ Decrees✓ Case records✓ Plaint/written statement✓ Affidavits filed✓ Evidence✓ Witnesses' statements✓ Exhibits (documents submitted)✓ Any document on case file

From Registry:

✓ Marriage certificates (from marriage registration)✓ Property documents✓ FIRs (from police)✓ Any public records

Who Can Apply?

✓ Parties to the case (plaintiff/defendant/petitioner/respondent)✓ Their lawyers✓ Legal heirs (if party deceased)✓ Anyone with legitimate interest✓ Researchers (with permission)✓ Media (for reported cases)

Court may refuse if:

• Case is confidential/sealed

• Documents contain sensitive information

• No legitimate interest shown

Where to Apply:

In the same court where case was heard:

• District Court → District Court Copy Section

• High Court → High Court Copy Section

• Supreme Court → Supreme Court Copy Section

• Magistrate Court → Magistrate Court Office

• Family Court → Family Court Office

Don't go to wrong court!

Step-by-Step Process (Traditional/Offline):

Step 1: Get Application Form

• Visit court's Copy Section/Record Room

• Purchase application form

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Continue

(₹2-10)

• Or download from court website (if available)

Step 2: Fill Application Form

Details to fill:

• Your name and address

• Case number (very important!)

• Case title (Plaintiff vs Defendant)

• Year of case

• Judge/Court number

• Specific document wanted (judgment dated X, order dated Y, etc.)

• Number of pages (if known)

• Purpose (appeal/execution/personal record, etc.)

• Number of copies required

Be VERY specific about what document you want!

Vague: "Give me case papers"Correct: "Certified copy of final judgment dated 15.03.2024 in Civil Suit No. 123/2020"

Step 3: Calculate and Pay Fees

Fees depend on:

• Number of pages

• Type of document

• Court (different courts, different rates)

• Urgency (normal/urgent/tatkal)

Typical fees:

District/Magistrate Courts:

• Per page: ₹2-5

• Minimum: ₹20-50

• Judgment (20 pages): ₹100-150

High Court:

• Per page: ₹5-10

• Minimum: ₹50-100

Supreme Court:

• Per page: ₹10-20

• Higher fees

Urgency charges:

• Normal (15-30 days): Standard fee

• Urgent (7-10 days): 2x fee

• Tatkal (2-3 days): 3-5x fee

How to pay:

• Court fee stamps (purchase from licensed vendor)

• Paste on application

• Or pay via challan/online (in some courts)

Step 4: Submit Application

• Go to Copy Section counter

• Submit filled form with fees

• Court staff checks application

• Gives you acknowledgment receipt

Keep this receipt safely! It's your proof and tracking number.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Court staff:

• Locates case file

• Finds requested document

• Makes photocopies

• Verifies with original

• Certifies each page

• Stamps and signs

Timeline:

• Normal: 15-30 days

• Urgent: 7-10 days

• Tatkal: 2-3 days

Depends on court workload and efficiency!

Step 6: Collect Certified Copy

• Visit Copy Section on/after expected date

• Provide acknowledgment receipt

• Court staff hands over certified copy

• Check thoroughly before leaving

Verify:

• All pages present

• Properly certified (stamp/signature on each page or last page)

• Readable

• Correct document

Online Application (E-Courts):

Many courts now allow online applications!

Step 1: Visit E-Courts Website

National Portal: services.ecourts.gov.in

Or state-specific:

• Delhi: delhihighcourt.nic.in

• Bombay HC: bombayhighcourt.nic.in

• Karnataka: https://karunadu.karnataka.gov.in

• Many district courts have portals

Step 2: Register/Login

• Create account

• Verify email and mobile

• Login

Step 3: Fill Online Form

• Select "Copy Application" or "Certified Copy"

• Enter case details (number, year, court, etc.)

• Specify document required

• Upload ID proof

• Number of pages and copies

Step 4: Pay Fees Online

• System calculates fees

• Pay via net banking/card/UPI

• Get payment receipt

Step 5: Submit

• Submit application

• Get acknowledgment/reference number

• Track status online

Step 6: Receive Copy

Two options:

• Download e-certified copy (if available) - Digitally signed

• Collect physically from court

Advantage: No need to visit court (except for collection if physical copy needed)

Urgent/Tatkal Copies:

When needed urgently (appeal deadline, etc.):

Apply for Tatkal:

• Mention "Urgent" in application

• State reason

• Pay higher fees (3-5x normal)

• Usually get in 2-3 days

Some courts have super-tatkal (same day) for very urgent matters and higher fees.

Common Issues and Solutions:

Issue 1: Case file not traceable

Solution:

• Verify case number and year

• Check if case transferred to another court

• Old cases may be in archives (takes longer)

Issue 2: Specific document not clear

Solution:

• Go to court, view file personally

• Note exact details

• Then apply

Issue 3: Pages missing in delivered copy

Solution:

• Check immediately

• Return to counter

• They'll provide missing pages

Issue 4: Not certified properly

Solution:

• Each page should have stamp/signature OR at least last page

• If not, ask them to certify properly

Issue 5: Delay beyond promised date

Solution:

• Visit Copy Section

• Show acknowledgment receipt

• Follow up politely but firmly

• Escalate to Section Officer if needed

Cost Examples:

Example 1 - District Court Judgment (15 pages):

• Per page: ₹3

• Total: ₹45

• Processing fee: ₹10

• Total: ₹55 (Normal)

• Urgent: ₹110

• Tatkal: ₹165

Example 2 - High Court Order (5 pages):

• Per page: ₹8

• Total: ₹40

• Processing: ₹20

• Total: ₹60 (Normal)

• Urgent: ₹120

Example 3 - Supreme Court Judgment (30 pages):

• Per page: ₹15

• Total: ₹450

• Processing: ₹50

• Total: ₹500 (Normal)

Digitally Signed E-Copies:

Some courts now issue e-certified copies:

• Download PDF from website

• Digitally signed by court

• QR code for verification

• Legally valid

• No need for physical copy

Advantages:

• Instant delivery

• No physical visit

• Can't be lost/damaged

• Easy to share

• Verifiable online

Not yet available in all courts, but expanding.

Using Certified Copies:

Certified copies are needed for:

✓ Filing appeal - Must attach lower court judgment✓ Executing decree - Need copy of decree✓ Transfer petition - Need case documents✓ Review petition - Need judgment copy✓ Civil appeal - Certified copy of order being appealed✓ Criminal revision - Magistrate's order copy✓ Reference/research - Study judgments✓ RTI response - Some documents via RTI✓ Official records - Banking, immigration, etc.

Simple photocopies NOT acceptable for legal purposes!

Difference: Certified Copy vs Photocopy:

Certified Copy	Photocopy
Official copy	Unofficial
Certified by court	No certification
Stamp and signature	No stamp
Legally valid	Not legally valid
Accepted everywhere	Not accepted in legal matters
Costs money	Can be free

FIR Certified Copy:

Special case - Need FIR copy:

From Police Station:

• Under Section 173 BNSS (earlier 207 CrPC)

• FREE copy to complainant (immediate after FIR)

From Court:

• If case reached court

• Apply as regular certified copy

From RTI:

• Can request via RTI

• Takes 30 days

Marriage Certificate:

From Sub-Registrar:

• Where marriage registered

• Apply on prescribed form

• Fees: ₹20-50

• Get within 7-15 days

Lost original? Can get certified copy/duplicate.

Tips for Smooth Process:

✓ Know exact case details (number, year, court)✓ Be specific about document wanted✓ Keep acknowledgment safe✓ Follow up if delayed✓ Check copy before leaving counter✓ Make photocopies of certified copy for daily use (keep original safe)✓ Apply early (don't wait till last date if appeal deadline)✓ Pay correct fees (underpayment = rejection)✓ Polite but persistent with court staff

For Lawyers:

Vakalatnama on record:

• Lawyer can apply on behalf of client

• Need vakalatnama copy

• Lawyer's ID proof

Easier and faster as lawyers know process.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Judgments:

High-profile cases:

• Usually available on court website

• Can download free

• If need certified copy, apply normally

Right to Information (RTI):

Alternative method:

Can file RTI application for:

• Copies of judgments

• Public documents

• Court records (non-confidential)

Fees: ₹10 RTI application fee

Timeline: 30 days

Advantage: Cheaper for multiple documents

Disadvantage: Slower

Real Example:

Case: Ramesh won property case in District Court. Defendant filed appeal in High Court. Ramesh needed certified copy of District Court judgment to file his counter-appeal.

Process:

• Visited District Court Copy Section

• Applied for certified copy of judgment dated 10.01.2024

• Judgment was 18 pages

• Fees: ₹3/page = ₹54 + ₹10 processing = ₹64

• Applied for Tatkal (appeal deadline close)

• Tatkal fees: ₹192 (3x normal)

• Received certified copy in 3 days

• Filed in High Court successfully

Conclusion:

Getting certified copies is straightforward if you know the process:

• Apply at correct court

• Be specific about document

• Pay correct fees

• Follow up patiently

• Verify copy received

Need court documents? Start the process early – don't wait for deadlines!