What is the difference between certified copy and original?

What is the difference between certified copy and original?

A certified true copy is a special copy of an original document, made by a person such as a notary public, lawyer or commissioner. A true copy is simply a copy made from an original document, without the certification attached to it.

Is a certified copy the same as an original?

A certified copy does not verify the authenticity of the original document, only that the copy is a true copy of what appears to be an original document to the Notary Public. Of course, Certified Copies can only be made of documents that are original.

Can a notary public certify a birth certificate?

As a general rule, Notaries cannot certify copies ​of birth, death or marriage certificates because these documents are vital records — public records that cannot be certified by a Notary Public.

What is the proper way to notarize a document?

handwrite their signature in ink. apply a stamp or seal showing their full name as it appears on their certificate of appointment and the Canadian province or territory in which they have been appointed. indicate the act they performed (e.g. certifying a true copy) indicate the date on which they notarized the document.

What does notarized mean?

Notarization is the official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document is authentic, and can be trusted. It is a three-part process, performed by a Notary Public, that includes of vetting, certifying and record-keeping. Notarizations are sometimes referred to as “notarial acts.”

Why are documents notarized?

Notarization serves three purposes: To ensure the person signing a document is properly identified. To ensure the intended person signs the document under their own free will. And, to ensure the transaction can be independently verified after the fact.

Why is it called notary public?

Notaries public (also called “notaries”, “notarial officers”, or “public notaries”) hold an office that can trace its origins back to the ancient Roman Republic, when they were called scribae (“scribes”), tabelliones forenses, or personae publicae.

What makes a notarized document invalid?

Illegible/ Expired Notary Seal: Stamp impressions that are too dark, too light, incomplete, smudged, or in any way unreadable may cause an otherwise acceptable document to be rejected for its intended use.

Can you void a notarized document?

Since 1933, the Supreme Court has ruled that these documents are considered illegal, immoral and void. If ever judges, lawyers and notaries-public have prepared and signed this kind of document, they will be reprimanded by the Court. Penalties such as suspension or disbarment will be imposed.

Does a notarized document make it legal?

A document that’s notarized is a secure way to sign the contract, but the document will still be legally binding without being notarized. If you forget to include an item in the document, it doesn’t exist in the agreement. The wording clarifies what each party is legally bound to do.

Is it illegal to change a notarized document?

Any changes to a notarial certificate must always be made by the Notary who performed the original notarization. A certificate with more than one person’s handwriting on it may cause suspicions of tampering.

Can you notarize a document with whiteout on it?

If a notarial certificate requires corrections, the notary marks a line through the incorrect information, initials it, and writes in the correct information at the time of the notarization. A notary must never white-out any mistakes, errors, or other information in the notarial certificate.

Can a notary notarize a document that is already signed?

As long as the signer is personally present before the notary and acknowledges the signature, then the notary can proceed with performing the notarial act. If the document has already been signed, the signer can sign his or her name again above or next to the first signature. You can then proceed with the notarization.

Can I notarize the same document twice?

You may notarize the signature of one person appearing before you and then the second person can appear before a Notary in their city/state and have their signature notarized.