I was once asked by a man to certify a copy of a passport. The only problem was that he didn't have the original. He had a copy of it. I explained that I cannot certify a copy of a copy.
The notary must either make the copy of the original, or witness the bearer of the document making the copy.
I have to admit that I was ignorant of the notary procedure that would have allowed me to provide him with an 'Affidavit of True Copy'.
What this essentially does is place the responsibility on the bearer of the document. What the notary does is have the bearer swear or affirm that it is a true copy of the original.
Since that time I have prepared myself to provide this additional notary service, in addition to certifying copies.
I could use a loose certificate, which I often use, although I also have these 'Affidavit of True Copy' labels. They come in a roll of 100.
This is how it appears when it is affixed to a document:
This is in contrast to a certified copy. When I perform a copy certification, I am saying that the copy is a true copy of the original. Here is a sample label for a certified copy:
I also have a copy certification ink stamp that I can use:
Here is the wording of it:
I want to be prepared to perform copy certifications wherever I am, so I keep all of these things in my bag at all times. The stamp, as well as the 2 rolls of certificates, fit inside one of these Spacemaker boxes:
I have written on the subject of certified copies in the past. For more information, see:
Be prepared for the unexpected: certified copies
For certified copies of birth certificates:
Click here for a Colorado Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate
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