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Certification Of

Official Documents

The Government of Sierra Leone requires that all documents submitted as part of an application are certified true copies of the originals. In addition, a notarised Oath of Allegiance, S9 Document, and Deed Poll (if a Legal Change of Name is required), for part of the document submission pack.

To simplify this process, we provide a free document certification service for all GO-FOR-GOLD Program applicants. This service is carried out by our appointed legal partner, Farage Andrews Law Practice. Official Partners (or direct applicants) upload their documents, and are then contacted to arrange certification after Due Diligence.

GO-FOR-GOLD Managed Certification

We do it free, fast, and with zero risk to you.

  • No cost – included for all partners and applicants
  • Digital submission – no printing, no couriers - documents uploaded via our secure AI-powered Application Hub.
  • GO-FOR-GOLD handles all compliance - ensuring delivery of certified, and notarised, documents as part of the application
  • Zero partner liability - our team, with our notary, ensure there are no errors or invalid documents
  • Fastest path - to approval & commission release
  • No delays - no back-and-forth with missing documents, delayed couriers, or lost documents.
  • End-to-end oversight by our legal & compliance teams

A licensed notary from their team meet with each applicant aged 18 or above via one Zoom call to verify and certify that all uploaded documents are true copies of the originals.

For Fast-Track Citizenship Applications, applicants aged 18 or above will also be required to swear the Oath of Allegiance, and S9 Document during the same Zoom session. Additional affidavits, like Legal Change of Name, as required are also dealt with on this call. Our external legal partner's notary then couriers the documents to our Sierra Leone team for submission.

The cost of this hassle-free, safe and end-to-end service is included in our program fees.

GO-FOR-GOLD List of Required Documents

Passport / National ID Details Page - All Applicants

This is the primary identity document for every applicant. We require a clear, colour scan of the details page showing the photo, full names, passport number, date of birth, date of issue/expiry, and issuing authority, citizenship and place of birth.
Why it matters: This page anchors the identity verification process, forms part of our KYC obligations, and is used to confirm the applicant’s eligibility for all subsequent steps.
What partners should check: Full page visible, no glare, no fingers, no shadows, no edges cropped.

Birth Certificate(s) - Children & Parents

Birth certificates help establish the applicant’s family structure and lineage.
Who needs this:

  • All dependent children
  • Parents, where applicable for specific benefit structures
    Why it matters: Used to verify ages, legal parentage, and eligibility as dependants.
    Notes: If names differ due to marriage, adoption, or cultural naming practices, ensure the chain of supporting documents is uploaded (e.g., name change affidavit).

Passport-Sized Photos - All Applicants

2 x recent, high-resolution passport-quality photographs of each applicant.
Purpose: Used for identity records, card issuance, and sometimes required for external verification processes.
Specs:

Size & Dimensions

  • Width: 35 mm
  • Height: 45 mm
  • Resolution: Minimum 600 dpi (digital photo: 826 x 1062 pixels)

Face & Positioning

  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.

Background

  • Plain white or light-colored background.

Quality & Format

  • Photo must be recent (within 6 months).
  • Sharp, well-lit, high-quality image.
  • File formats: JPG, PNG, HEIC.
  • File size: 100 KB – 10 MB.

Clothing & Accessories

  • No eyeglasses (unless medically necessary).
  • Hair should not obscure the face, ears or eyes.

Proof of Address

A recent (within the last 3 months) document confirming the main applicant’s physical address. In addition, anybody over the age of 18, who does not reside with the Main Applicant is also required to provide a Proof of Address.
Acceptable documents: Utility bill, bank statement, rates invoice, lease agreement, or official government letter.
Purpose: Supports KYC compliance and is often required for third-party due diligence.
Partners should check:

  • Name matches the passport
  • Address is complete
  • Document is recent and clearly dated.

CV / Resume - Main Applicant

A short, factual summary of the applicant’s professional background.
Purpose:

  • Helps the due-diligence team understand the applicant’s career, industry exposure, and global footprint
  • Supports risk assessment and eligibility screening
    Format: 1–2 pages, chronological, no embellishment required.
    Partners should check: Names, dates, and companies are consistent with the rest of the application documents.
  • An up-to-date LinkedIn Profile also stands as a CV

Digital Passport Signature/s

A clean, digital capture of the Main Applicant’s (and all dependants age 18 and over) signature, matching the signature in their passport.
Why it matters: Used on official forms and for identity verification in downstream processes.
Guidance:

  • Must be taken on a blank white sheet
  • Use a dark pen
  • No shadows or photographed “pages curled up”
  • Upload as a crisp JPG or PNG

Bank Statement - Main Applicant

A recent, stamped or verifiable bank statement covering the relevant period requested.

Partners should check:

  • Name matches passport
  • Statement is complete and legible
  • Pages are in order
  • No screenshots unless formally downloaded from a banking app with visible metadata

Marriage Certificate(s)

Required wherever marital status is declared as “married”, or if there is a legal spouse/s included in the application. Also applies to all married dependants .
Why it matters: Establishes legal relationship status and the eligibility of dependants.
Certification: A clear, certified copy where possible — especially for older certificates or handwritten originals.
Partners should check: Full certificate visible, no cropped borders, legible signatures and seals.

De facto partnership recognition:

A letter signed by both partners and certified by our in-house Notary as a true copy. If the applicant and their partner live separately, each must provide a certified true copy of proof of address (for example, a recent utility bill). If they live together, they must provide a copy of a document showing both names at the same address, which will be certified along with other documents..

Online Certification & Notarial Appointment

Verifying Your Identity and Certifying Your Documents


A Simple, Guided Process

There is no need to prepare anything beyond having your documents ready and following the Notary's instructions during the meeting.

The purpose of the session is simply to ensure that your documentation is correctly completed, properly witnessed and ready for submission.

Once complete, your application moves one step closer to submission to the Government of Sierra Leone.

After Payment into Escrow, and Approval to Apply via Due Diligence, your application will reach the Certification & Notarial stage.

This is an important milestone in your GO-FOR-GOLD Program application and is designed to ensure that your identity is verified, your supporting documentation is authenticated, and the required declarations are completed in accordance with our program requirements.

The appointment is conducted online with a qualified Notary Public and is a straightforward process that typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of applicants included in your application.

Why is a Notarial Appointment Required?

As part of the citizenship application process, certain documents and declarations must be witnessed by an independent Notary Public. We offer this as a complimentary in-house servie, which avoids you having to certify, notarise, and courier copies to us!

During the appointment, the Notary will:

  • Verify the identity of each applicant.
  • Witness the signing of the required application documents.
  • Administer the Oath of Allegiance for each applicant aged 18 years or older.
  • Administer the Section 9 Declaration for the Main Applicant.
  • Compare your original documents with the copies submitted through the Application Hub and certify them as true copies.

This process helps ensure the integrity of your application before it proceeds to the Government of Sierra Leone.

Who Should Attend?

The appointment should be attended by:

  • The Main Applicant.
  • All dependants included in the application.
  • Any Special Dependants or +1 Business Partner included in the application.
  • Parents or legal guardians where minor applicants are included and those parents are not themselves applicants.

What Should You Have Ready?

Before your appointment, please ensure you have the following available.

Original Identification

  • Passport(s) for each applicant.

Documents to be Signed

These documents will normally be provided before your appointment and must remain unsigned and undated until instructed by the Notary.

They may include:

  • Oath of Allegiance.
  • Section 9 Declaration (Main Applicant only).
  • Deed Poll or other supporting declarations (where applicable).

Original Supporting Documents

Please have the original versions of all documents previously uploaded to your GO-FOR-GOLD Application Hub available for inspection.

Please refer to the comprehensive list above

Preparing for Your Appointment

To ensure everything runs smoothly, we recommend that you:

  • Join the meeting from a quiet location.
  • Use a stable internet connection.
  • Keep your camera switched on throughout the appointment.
  • Ensure the room is well lit.
  • Have all original documents for all applicants within easy reach.
  • Have access to a printer and scanner so that signed documents can be returned immediately after the appointment, where required.

What Happens After the Appointment?

Once your appointment has been completed:

  • Your signed documents will be reviewed.
  • Certified true copies will be prepared where required.
  • Your completed documentation will be sent via courier to the GO-FOR-GOLD Operations Team.
  • Your application will move to the next stage of processing.

Should any additional information be required, our team will contact you directly.