official document
Stamped legal paper
An official document is a record issued or authorized by a government, institution, or other recognized authority.
Birth certificates, passports, court orders, and notarized contracts are official documents.
The term emphasizes authenticity and legal standing—an official document carries weight that informal records don't: You'll need an official document to prove residency.
- certificateFormal written attestation
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
- licenseFormal grant of permission
- deedWritten property conveyance
contract · signed and sealed · seal · signature · notarized · notary public · stamped · rubber stamp · paperwork · credentials · permit · warrant · court order · diploma · charter · decree · affidavit · public record
official documentinformal note
Casual written reminder
private correspondence · handwritten note · personal letter · text message · doodle
official documentephemera
Disposables preserved as collectibles
scratch paper · verbal agreement · oral communication · handshake deal · spoken word
official, document, office, officer, officially, officiate, officiation, unofficially, unofficial