| I don't agree with the statement that notaries notarize signatures, not documents. Some notaries, like me, can certify copies; the original need not contain anyone's signature, and the certified copy will only have the notary's signature (in the certificate, of course). Also, although the notary does not certify that a document is true, or that it has any legal effect, the notary does make some cursory checks, such as not containing the notary's name except as a notary or witness, that there aren't any blanks (in some states), that there isn't any language indicating the notary did something the notary didn't, or shouldn't, do, etc. |
