'formally-documented' originates from the combination of 'formal' and 'documented'. 'Formal' comes from Latin 'formalis', meaning 'pertaining to form', and 'documented' comes from Latin 'documentum', meaning 'example, proof'.

'formalis' transformed into the Old French 'formel', and eventually became the modern English word 'formal'. 'Documentum' transformed into the Old French 'document', and eventually became the modern English word 'document'.

Initially, 'formal' meant 'pertaining to form', and 'documented' meant 'example, proof'. Over time, 'formally-documented' evolved to mean 'officially recorded'.