My post didn't go into detail, but the context was getting a birth certificate from the CA Department of Public Health, which requires a notarized request form. I think all the forum regulars realize that a notary, while performing notary duties, isn't allowed to directly certify a vital record. Of course an official who is authorized to certify vital records, such as a county clerk, can still do that even though the county clerk also happens to be a notary.
What isn't so obvious is whether a notary can notarize a sworn statement by the person who possesses the birth certificate that a copy is a true copy. The way I read the vital record law in my state, I wouldn't be allowed to do that if it were a VT vital record, but I could if it were a vital record from another state or nation. |
