When SSA retains a photocopy of the claimant's evidentiary document, the SSA certifier
who evaluated the document must certify to the accuracy of SSA's copy and the authenticity
of the claimant's document.
This certification is not a routine clerical function. The document submitted by the
claimant is the document that the SSA certifier must evaluate for authenticity. The
certification statement and signature of the SSA certifier on the photocopy attests
to the authenticity of the claimant's document and affects the probative value of
the photocopy.
EXCEPTION: When SSA receives a foreign claim or foreign post-entitlement action and the photocopy
of evidence has the U.S. State Department (DOS) certification statement, accept the
evidence if the DOS seal is affixed and there is no reason to question its authenticity.