legitimate document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate document" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a document that is valid, authorized, or recognized as genuine. Example: "Before proceeding with the transaction, please ensure that you have a legitimate document to verify your identity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The sole photograph Julia possessed of Martin was on page 14 of the 1998 Fidelity newsletter, a legitimate document to have floating around the house.

The New Yorker

Describing the playbook as a "very legitimate document", he added: "The tendency for the Islamic State to act as a state is growing.

The Guardian

"The school then decided through its administrator that that [Yidindji birth certificate] was a legitimate document and they have now allowed Thoyo to enter the school..

The Guardian

In part, the connection between legitimacy and survival is reciprocal: framers and citizens will be more attached to a legitimate document, and documents that survive will in turn engender norms of attachment.

University of Chicago

But when he arrived in Liberia in 2003, accompanied by Canadian immigration officials and with a travel certificate in hand from the Liberian embassy in Ghana, he was denied entry into the country by Liberian officials, who claimed that only the embassy in Washington could issue a legitimate document, and that what he had was fake.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Second, D.M.V. workers are unlikely to sort out immigration rules and recognize all the legitimate documents.

The New York Times

They arrived in the country alone or in pairs, using legitimate documents and sometimes false identities.

The New York Times

Bout didn't seem concerned about being spotted; he submitted legitimate documents to airport immigration officials.

The New Yorker

Except that Kosovars could point to a legitimate, documented trail of Serbian abuses before they declared independence.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's 100m legitimate documents that would be blocked by the government because of human error, and 100m adult documents that the filter does not touch and that any schoolkid can find.

The Guardian - Tech

"Those leaking the documents have added numerous fake documents to the legitimate documents in order to spread doubt and misinformation".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a document's authenticity or compliance with rules, use "legitimate document" to convey its valid status. It is especially useful in contexts where fraud or forgery is a concern.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate document" when you simply mean the document is relevant or pertinent to a situation. "Legitimate" implies authenticity and legality, not just relevance. Use a term like "relevant document" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate document" functions as an adjective-noun construction, where the adjective "legitimate" modifies the noun "document". Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts to describe the authenticity and validity of a document.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legitimate document" is used to describe a document that is genuine, valid, and conforms to legal or accepted standards. Although Ludwig AI recognizes its grammatical correctness, it appears relatively infrequently in common usage. Alternatives like "valid document" or "authentic document" may serve as substitutes depending on context. The phrase primarily appears in news, academic and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid document

Replaces "legitimate" with a synonym emphasizing legal or official acceptance.

authentic document

Focuses on the genuineness and lack of forgery of the document.

official document

Highlights the document's status as being sanctioned or issued by an authority.

bona fide document

Uses a more formal term to emphasize the good faith and authenticity of the document.

verified document

Emphasizes that the document has been checked and confirmed as accurate.

lawful document

Focuses on the document's compliance with the law.

recognized document

Indicates that the document is accepted as valid by a relevant authority or institution.

admissible document

Highlights the document's suitability for presentation as evidence in a legal setting.

accredited document

Suggests the document meets certain standards or has been officially approved.

validated document

Similar to "verified document", but can also imply a formal process of validation.

FAQs

What does "legitimate document" mean?

A "legitimate document" is a document that is genuine, valid, and conforms to the law or accepted standards. It is often used in contexts where authenticity is important.

What can I say instead of "legitimate document"?

Alternatives to "legitimate document" include "valid document", "authentic document", or "official document", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between a "legitimate document" and a "legal document"?

Yes, while both terms relate to documents recognized by law, a "legal document" is specifically created or governed by laws (such as a contract). A "legitimate document" may not necessarily be a legal instrument itself but is recognized as genuine and valid within a particular context.

How do I ensure a document is a "legitimate document"?

Ensuring a document is legitimate often involves verifying its source, checking for signs of tampering or forgery, and confirming its authenticity with relevant authorities or experts.