A method for authenticating a document comprising the following steps: when creating an original document, said document is sent by a holding entity to an authentication management entity in order for said document to be stored at a secure storage site and for any delivery of an authenticated copy and/or authenticatable copy to be managed by the authentication management entity, when a request for an authenticated copy is made by a requesting entity, the holding entity makes a duplication request via a suitable duplication system controlled by the authentication management entity in order to obtain an authenticatable transmission copy, the requesting entity uses the authenticatable transmission copy to make a duplication request via a suitable duplication system in order to obtain an authenticated copy delivered under the control of the authentication management entity.