Notaries aren’t fairy godmothers with magic wands

ByEditor

Fair with magic wand with an X
Maybe it’s just me but it seems that people don’t have a clue what can and cannot be notarized. It’s possible that some people know but don’t care. Last week I had two calls from people saying they had been told to have something notarized. Somehow we’re supposed to be like fairy godmothers with a magic wand to grant whatever is asked.

A notary can’t make a certified copy of a government ID.

The first caller had a government form which doesn’t require a notary. This person was told that they needed to have a notarized copy of their passport, driver license and other ID. I explained that these were government issued IDs and “certified” copies would have to be obtained from the issuing agency.

It seems to me that the ID should have been presented to the person at the office collecting the form and that government agency employ would verify the ID. I directed him back to the office where he was given these instructions.

Get the proper form from an attorney.

The second caller had a referral letter from a former employer. An apartment manager had told her that in order for the letter to be valid, it would have to be notarized. There were many things wrong with this scenario but I explained to the caller that I couldn’t simply stamp and sign a letter without a proper notary certificate nor could I tell her the type of certificate needed. Second, the letter maker would be the person appearing if they determined the proper notary certificate.

If your business routinely requires verification of a document or types of documents, see an attorney and get a proper form. Making it up and getting it notarized doesn’t make it legal even if you can find a notary to do it.

If you have questions about whether or not I can help, please ask but sometimes reading the articles on this blog will answer your questions.

Similar Posts

  • Form I-9 and Notary Challenges

    Our office has had several calls from people needing their I-9 notarized.  The callers are often upset when I explain that the I-9 doesn’t require a notary.  Okay, so it just needs to be witnessed?  Wrong again. Form I-9 is the Employment Eligibility Verification which employers are required to complete.  This form is required to…

  • Hospitals and Witnesses

    Alert! Most Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted but there are many different rules for visitation. These rules vary greatly by facility so please check with the facility before scheduling an appointment. Need a notary and you’re in the hospital? It’s always difficult when you need a notary at a hospital. You typically have an ill…

  • Notary Updates

    May a notary public determine which type of notarial certificate should be attached to a document? No. A notary public who is not an attorney should only complete a notarial certificate which is already on the document, or type or attach a certificate of the maker’s choosing. If a notary public is presented with a…

  • Did you know?

    Did you know that in Texas and most other states……. A notary public is not a notario or notario publico? A notary public is not authorized to practice law? A notary public may not give legal advice or prepare legal documents? A notary public may not charge a fee for preparation of immigration documents or…

  • Do you also need a witness?

    As more and more new residents flood North Texas and DFW, I have more and more requests for witnesses. It is a challenge for new residents to find unrelated witnesses. Depending on the document, care facilities may allow certain employees to be witnesses but most do not. As a mobile notary without a store front,…