[HELP] Notarize a Birth Certificate

Hi folks, i have some questions about notarization, up till a few days ago i did not even know such a thing exists..

Is it possible to notarize a birth ceriticate? Or would i have to have a separate page stating that the birth certificate copy is indeed real? Can this be on two pages or does it have to be one? Also, approximately how much would this cost?

Thanks in advance.

Short answer: I don’t believe you can certify and/or notarize it at all – a birth cert is a vital record -a certified copy can be obtained from the keeper of the Vital Records wherever the person was born.

Per page 18 of your CA handbook, in part:

“CERTIFIED COPIES California statute specifies that a notary public may only certify copies of powers of attorney under Probate Code section 4307 and certify copies of his or her notary public journal. (Government Code sections 8205(a)(4), 8205(b)(1), and 8206(e)) Certified copies of birth, fetal death, death, and marriage records may be made only by the State Registrar, by duly appointed and acting local registrars during their term of offi ce, and by county recorders. (Health & Safety Code section 103545)”

Lindah has it correct: a birth cert is a vital record -a certified copy can be obtained from the keeper of the Vital Records wherever the person was born.

You have to understand something about a vital record…the original is with the Hall of Records and stays there FOREVER. That is how you can write for a certified copy today, misplace it and write for another 10 years from now. When you certify a copy of something you are saying it is a duplicate of the original. When the customer hands you his/her birth certificate, it is a copy (certified)...they are not handing you the original. So what you would be doing is certifying a copy of a COPY, not a copy of the original. The custodian at the Hall of Records is the only person who’s signature and seal declares (certifies) a vital record to be a true copy of the original because THEY have and forever keep the original.

In California, we can only certify a copy of a Power of Attorney or journal entries….that’s it. Your customer can order additional copies of their birth certificate online. They will have to have their signature notarized on the application. I don’t know if there is a limit to the number of copies they can request.

To answer your question: NO…you cannot notarize a birth certificate. It is a vital record.

Would a passport be possible? Or Drivers License or State ID?

If not, is it possible to travel to Las Vegas and obtain a notarization for use in CA?

www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/notary_hdbk.pdf

This is your handbook and this is where you answer is…save the site to your computer and refer to it often…it’s your best friend…

Philwashere,

If your customer wishes to make a photocopy of their passport or driver’s license and state it is a true copy of the original, use the Copy Certification by Document Custodian form. He/she will fill in the top part and sign their name which is the part where THEY are making the certification. You will notarize their signature to their statement. You are not certifying anything, THEY are.

As for traveling to Las Vegas to obtain a notarization for use in CA…...not sure what you are asking on this one. Care to explain this a little further??

Please give more details. Not sure what you are asking philwashere.