Short answer. No, handing over a copy is not enough. Section 20 requires the officer to certify that the witness was duly sworn and that the deposition is a true record, then seal it in an envelope marked with the case title and the witness's name, and promptly file it with the court, or send it by registered mail to the clerk.
What the law says
The officer shall certify on the deposition that the witness was duly sworn to by him or her and that the deposition is a true record of the testimony given by the witness. He or she shall then securely seal the deposition in an envelope indorsed with the title of the action and marked "Deposition of (here insert the name of witness)" and shall promptly file it with the court in which the action is pending or send it by registered mail to the clerk thereof for filing.
Rule 23, Section 20 — Certification and filing by officer. Read the full provision →
The certification requirement
The officer must certify, in writing on the deposition itself, that the witness was duly sworn and that the transcript is a true record of the testimony given. This makes the officer personally accountable for the accuracy of what reaches the court. Without this certification attached, the court and the parties would have no formal assurance that the document being filed actually reflects what the witness said, sworn under oath, rather than an uncertified or altered transcript that nobody vouches for.
Sealing and labeling before it moves anywhere
Before filing, the deposition must be securely sealed in an envelope indorsed with the title of the action and marked with the witness's name. This step protects the integrity of the record by preventing tampering between the taking of the deposition and its arrival at the court. Marking the envelope with the case title and the witness's name also lets the clerk route the deposition to the correct case file without having to open the seal to check which case or witness it belongs to.
Filing, in person or by mail
The officer must promptly file the sealed deposition with the court in which the action is pending, or, if that isn't practical, send it by registered mail to the clerk of that court for filing. Either way, the obligation to get it into the official record rests with the officer, not the party who requested the deposition. This matters practically: a party cannot be faulted for a deposition never reaching the court file, since the rule places that responsibility squarely on the officer who took it, not on the party who noticed or requested the deposition.