The original is a certified copy. It says so at the bottom of the license, if you read the fine print. No one gave me any problems using my Belize license. I got a Social Security card, new drivers license, insurance name change, and banking without any problem. (I would go directly to all of these places so that you don't have to send off the license anywhere) After I had my named changed on everything, I took my license to the court records office and had them file it in our county as a public record. They scanned it and filed it and gave me the original back. Now, if I ever need a certified copy, I can get it from them without having to deal with the Belize government.