Document Certifications

California Notaries are not permitted to certify copies of documents except for certifying copies of powers of attorney under California Probate Code section 4307 and certifying copies of entries in a notary’s journal if requested by a peace officer. If you need a certified copy of a document such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or a deed, you would need to contact the custodian of the original document. For other documents not specifically disallowed, such as a diploma or other personal document, you can make a copy and sign a statement (known as a “copy certification by document custodian”) declaring that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original. While we can’t certify the copy, we can notarize the document custodian’s signature on your written declaration. Call us to learn more!