Posted by ajd/pa on 5/4/12 9:13pm
Msg #419949

Notarization of Passports

I got an e-mail earlier this evening from a potential signer for some GNW to notarize a passport and second form of ID. I have been trying to remember if this is something that we can even do. I have looked in my PA Notary book and the NNA book (I know not the best reference) along with this wesite. I am hesitant to accept this but wanted to get the opinions of this exceptional board.

Reply by MW/VA on 5/4/12 10:03pm
Msg #419953

You can't notarize a Passport. If you state allows it, you can "certify a copy" of an original document, except for vital records, like birth certificates, death certificates, etc.
Most notaries that I know of will only certify a copy if they actually make the copy of the document from the original or are there to watch the copy being made.
I had a situation last weekend for a young woman that needed a pile of copies of diplomas, transcripts, etc. for use in applying for a teaching job in another country. We are permitted to certify copies in VA.
I have a stamp that has the appropriate language, and I also apply my notary seal.
Again, check to see if that is permitted in PA.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 5/5/12 12:18am
Msg #419966

yes, sounds like they need a certified copy.

I do this all the time for people doing adoptions, part of the dossier, the documents that go overseas to court, is a STACK of certified copies of vital records.

When we adopted our daughter from Ethiopia, we spent $870 on notarization and appostile fees--we even took mobile notaries to our doctor's offices because we had to have a notarized letter from our doctors stating that we had a "normal life expectancy" and our doctors couldn't provide notaries.

The documents we Fedexed to court in Ethiopia weighed in at seven pounds.

For this kind of certified copy, I use a loose copy certificate and staple it. That's worked fine for me.

Just a side note that a lot of foreign courts really like to see an embosser on these certified copies, so if you have one, don't be afraid to use it, especially if docs are going overseas. I sadly, don't use one (WA only lets us have one seal per commission--and I prefer a rubber stamp for my NSA work, which is the bulk of what I do).

Reply by Roger_OH on 5/5/12 1:15am
Msg #419976

Certification by Document Custodian

The person can write a statement (on the document or attached to it) certifying that the photocopy is a true copy of the original document, and then sign it. You just notarize their signature as usual. The onus is on them that the copy is genuine.

As with any document without a preprinted notary certificate, you'd have to ask them if they prefer ack or jurat language for the notarization.

Reply by ajd/pa on 5/5/12 7:19am
Msg #419981

Thank you so much for all of your input. I kind of thought that was what the story was. We can certify copies here and there is wording in our guide to state such. i have even done the ID part before, but not the passport. I did send the person another e-mail asking for more detail as to what is needed but have not heard back yet.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/5/12 7:37am
Msg #419984

Looks to me like PA is like FL...based on the

language in the cert on page 19-20 of your handbook, you need to make the copy from the original, not the requestor providing you with the copy. I know if it were me, I would not certify it being a true copy unless I personally made the copy (which is required here).

Good Luck.