Legal Definitions - true and correct

The legal term "true and correct" describes something that is an exact, accurate, and unaltered representation of an original. When a document, statement, or copy is declared "true and correct," it means it faithfully reflects the facts or the original source without any omissions, additions, or modifications.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• Financial Reporting: When a publicly traded company submits its annual financial statements to a regulatory body, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer often sign a certification stating that the report is "true and correct."

  This means they are legally affirming that all the financial figures, disclosures, and accompanying statements accurately reflect the company's financial position and performance, are free from material errors, and have not been manipulated or altered from the company's actual accounting records.

• Witness Testimony or Affidavits: In a legal proceeding, a witness might provide a written affidavit (a sworn statement) detailing their account of an event. Before signing, the witness will typically swear under oath that the information contained in the affidavit is "true and correct."

  This signifies that they are affirming that every statement of fact within the document is accurate to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have not intentionally misrepresented or omitted any relevant details.

• Certified Document Copies: If a lawyer needs to provide a digital copy of a crucial physical document, such as a will or a property deed, to the court or opposing counsel, they might certify that the digital scan is a "true and correct" copy of the original.

  This ensures that the scanned document is an exact replica of the paper version, containing all the same text, signatures, and formatting, without any digital alterations, redactions, or omissions that would change its meaning or authenticity.