May a Notary determine which type of Notarial Certificate should be attached?
A. No. A Notary Public who is not an attorney should only complete a notarial certificate which is already on the document or type a certificate of the maker’s choosing. If a Notary Public is brought a document without a certificate and decides which certificate to attach, that Notary Public would be “practicing law.” However, a Notary Public is provided copies of sample notarial certificates with his or her notary commission. The person for whom the notarization is performed may choose the certificate, and the Notary may add such certificate to the document.
Related Questions
- I have been presented a document without any notarial wording. Should I decide what type of notarial certificate belongs on the document?
- May a Notary Public determine which type of Notarial certificate should be attached to a document?
- May a Notary determine which type of Notarial Certificate should be attached?
