# Keeping of the ECS

The issuing authority keeps the original of the certificate. Only certified copies may circulate.

Nothing is expressly stated in the Regulation as to the conditions in which the original of the ECS is kept, except that it must be numbered with a reference number (officer number/year/reference number) and bear its date of issue.

It is recommended that the issuing authority should keep a register of ECS distinguishing:

- The ECS and the mandatory annexes which will be kept in the minutes of the notaries,

- The exhibits of the procedure (supplied with the issue application and the elements used by the notary to fill out the ECS), which will be kept in the file for the succession along with the usual documents.