Posted by bagger on 6/5/10 3:22pm
Msg #339938

Strange call

Left my last appointment for the day and my cell phone rings.
Comes up as No Number.
***Please do not accuse me of racial profiling here***
Caller has a thick middle eastern accent, and wants me to notarize copies of his passport. I inform him that Illinois Notaries do not notarize copies of documents, We notarize signatures, administer oaths, etc., but do not notarize copies of documents. He kept pressing, and I explained to him once again. He gets in a huff and says "Well what should I do then?" I say contact an attorney, He hung up.
What would you do?

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 6/5/10 3:31pm
Msg #339940

Sounds like he wanted you to do a copy certification.

Reply by bagger on 6/5/10 3:32pm
Msg #339941

We do not do that in Illinois.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/5/10 3:35pm
Msg #339942

Same thing!

We have a very diverse community in the S F Bay area and I am often contacted to do notarization, affidavits usually, verifying income, spousal income, etc. Rarely do I do it but I do go and explain why it can't be done if it's local. It's called fraud.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 6/5/10 3:37pm
Msg #339943

IMO, if document holder makes a copy of the document

and writes out a statement (in proper form) on the copy, that it is a true and correct copy of
the original doc, you can swear them in and notarize their signature,
just as with any jurat.

Reply by Roger_OH on 6/5/10 8:04pm
Msg #339960

Correctamundo, Roberto. Can't certify here either, BUT...

can help the requestor by having them write and sign an attestation that it's a true copy and then notarizing the sig.

Can also be done on the Copy Certification by Document Custodian form available from XYZ.

N/A for public records, of course.

Reply by MW/VA on 6/6/10 12:13pm
Msg #339996

Re: IMO, if document holder makes a copy of the document

Yes, I do the same. The statement needs to be their's and not mine.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/5/10 3:43pm
Msg #339944

Yea...I think I could live with that Bob, notarizing the statement that is.

Reply by bagger on 6/5/10 3:48pm
Msg #339945

Guys, Listen to me. He did NOT want me to notarize his signature, he wanted me to notarize the document as being a certified copy.
In Illinois we cannot issue certified copies.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 6/5/10 4:15pm
Msg #339946

Lately, I have had late evening calls asking about the same questions you were. Must be a sign of the times. It's a very short call when I am asked to do something that is outside my authority. I do try to keep in mind that it could be an honest question and make a short explanation of my authority. It's the same here in CA, as it is in your neck of the woods, and I imagine in most of the country.

Notary Public or the translation into their native language can mean very different things in foreign countries. Mexico is a good example.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/5/10 4:48pm
Msg #339947

nobody is disagreeing with you Bagger, we're just agreeing with how it could be done within our authority.

Reply by Hailswath on 6/5/10 5:23pm
Msg #339950

I have been asked before to do this when a child is on school trip to other country and they lose their passport. The American Consulate reguired forms to be fill out and notarized and they also need certifed copy of the parents passport to be faxed to them. Child is left behind with a parent or teacher until it is resolved. The calls usuall come in very early or very late because of time difference where the child is at.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/5/10 5:41pm
Msg #339951

here in Florida, I could make an attested photocopy of the passport.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 6/5/10 6:27pm
Msg #339953

In Virginia, this request would have been allowed. VA notaries can certify copies of D/L or passport or any doc except for public records. If it's not allowed in Illinois, then you did the right thing.

Reply by Maureen_nh on 6/5/10 6:32pm
Msg #339954

Same here in NH, I can certify a copy. I did get a request once to notarize a passport, not a copy of it, and I couldn't do that.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 6/5/10 8:58pm
Msg #339963

just as Bob stated. You could've used a Doc Custodian Aff

wherein the document custodian/owner of the original document swears and affirms by signing the affidavit, that the attached copy, is a true and accurate copy of the original.

You are notarizing their signature, not the document or the copy. If you have an embosser, you can emboss the copies as I do, as it makes the client happy.

These affidavits are perfectly legal and used for immigration, employment or education purposes.

Could make you a few bucks...so now you know.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/5/10 9:14pm
Msg #339964

Re: just as Bob stated. You could've used a Doc Custodian Aff

He could have - however he posted that the guy did not want him to notarize his signature, he wanted him to notarize the passport as a certified copy. So, I am assuming he offered to notarize a signed affidavit.
You sometimes can't tell people something they don't want to hear. I have had people ask me to do something, and when I have told them I can't do it and suggested an alternative, they don't want to hear it. They have their mindset on what they want and not what we can legally do.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 6/5/10 9:31pm
Msg #339967

what Bagger told the caller no doubtedly confused him even

more. If the copies were for immigration purposes, USCIS get copies of passport notarized and submit with this application, etc. So that's what he ask for...the problem herein lies with the fact that USCIS has to be a bit more clearer when it comes to notarizations of passports, IMO.

The caller assumed he was asking for a service that is legit because it came from USCIS We, unfortunately, have to let these folks how it is really done, and sometimes, it confuses them and they move on to the next notary that will help them.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 6/5/10 9:34pm
Msg #339968

Re: what Bagger told the caller no doubtedly confused him even

should read, USCIS "states" get copies of .....

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/6/10 12:26am
Msg #339977

I agree completely

I get requests like this from time to time. Instead of telling them what I can't do, I tell them what I can do, and explain that notary laws vary from state to state and that they are dealing with a federal form (where applicable). That's when the teacher hat goes on. Most of the time, we're able to work something out. (Personally, I think providing the document custodian form could be considered UPL in CA, so I don't use that.)

Some people get the concept right away, but others are stuck in their thinking that the actual copy has to be notarized because that's what they were told or what the form says. They take a little more explanation and if they don't get it, it doesn't bother me if they want to waste their time calling a bunch of other notaries. (But I've had repeat business from some of the people I've helped with these forms.)

Reply by Bill Rankin on 6/6/10 12:44pm
Msg #339998

Good topic. I get asked to do this often but have to decline as its not allowed in New York. I offer to notarize the client's affidavit signature swearing authenticity but if that doesn't satisfy them they go elsewhere and always find someone else to do it. Check out this link for state by state restrictions but confirm the info with your own state handbook.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_copy#Copy_certification_by_U.S._notaries

Reply by Heather Smith on 6/6/10 4:33pm
Msg #340008

Good call Bagger! You were by no means incorporating "racial profiling." If a request seems odd, or you know it to be beyond your authoritative power- it is always best practice to deny your services. : )