official papers
Certified legal documents
Official papers are formal documents issued or recognized by authorities—governments, institutions, or organizations.
The term covers identity documents, legal certificates, permits, and administrative records: The border agent examined our official papers.
In bureaucratic contexts, having one's papers in order means possessing the required documentation: Without official papers, she couldn't prove her citizenship.
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
- green cardU.S. residency document
- invoiceItemized billing statement
- driver's licenseOfficial driving permit
- social security cardDocument proving benefit eligibility
will · title deed · deed · receipt · application form · contract · work permit · tax return · divorce decree · certified copy · bank statement · birth certificate · power of attorney · court order · marriage certificate · shipping manifest · purchase order · notarized document
- Political DocumentsDeclaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Articles of Confederation, founding documents, presidential speeches
- archivesnational archives, state archives, archivist, archive box, national archive
official paperspersonal correspondence
Direct written communication between individuals
private letters · personal papers · jottings · scribbles · handwritten notes
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