We are asked often enough to “notarize a passport” or to “certify a driver license”. The request is improperly formulated. The person will be surprised if we were all of a sudden to start adding our stamp next to the immigration stamps of the countries visited, and we certainly cannot certify something we didn’t issue (for example only the County Recorder can certify a quitclaim deed – that’s because the County Recorder is the proper agency invested of the responsibility to keep track of all the real estate transaction in the County).
What our customers mean is that they need what’s called a Copy Certification by Document Custodian, which in simple terms is a photocopy of a document in possession of a person (passport, marriage license, college diploma, etc.), accompanied by a sworn statement that reads that the document custodian is swearing that’s a true copy. Since it would be unsafe and unpractical to mail the originals every time someone is requesting one, a Copy Certification by Document Custodian is a handy way of satisfying the request of the agency, organization, bank, title company or whoever is asking for it.
The Document People is a network of legal document assistants who specializes in assisting customers with notarizations. We offer notary services in We the People Woodland Hills, We the People Santa Monica, San Fernando, We the People Glendale and The Document People Torrance, Anaheim and Oceanside.
The information contained in this blog – including information of a legal nature – is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.