When making certified copies, under what condition may the notary certify copies?

• A. The original document must be presented, and certified copies are available from an official source other than the notary
• B. The notary can certify copies of any document
• C. The notary can certify copies of copies
• D. The notary can certify copies from email

Answer: (A)

Certified copies must be tied to the original. A notary verifies that a copy is a true reproduction only after the original document has been presented so the notary can compare the two and confirm accuracy. If an official source can provide a certified copy, you should obtain it from that source rather than from the notary, because the notary’s authority to certify copies is limited to situations where the original is shown and there isn’t already an official certified version available. That combination—the original being presented and reliance on an official source when possible—is why this option is the best answer. Also remember notaries don’t certify copies of every document, and they don’t certify copies of copies or copies sent by email.