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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Can I Notarize A Copy Of A Marriage Certificate?

By NNA Staff on June 6, 2017

NNA Hotline Tip logo

Am I allowed to notarize a copy of a marriage certificate? — A. A., Pennsylvania

No. While Pennsylvania Notaries are authorized to certify that a document is an accurate copy of an original document, you may not certify certain federal, state or county records. This would include the following types of documents: birth, death, marriage records and corporate records.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

Confronted with a tricky notarization? Unsure how to proceed? NNA members have unlimited access to our expertly trained NNA Hotline counselors to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.

 

 

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10 Comments

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Walter Felton

12 Sep 2017

So I can say, ' yes, thats a copy of said federal, state or county record' but that's it? Is it possible to acknowledge that IT IS a good copy on a seperate letter?

National Notary Association

13 Sep 2017

Hello. If you are a PA Notary, then as the article above stated you are not permitted to perform any kind of certification for marriage, birth or death records.

jason@marlinsautocenter.com

13 Sep 2019

I feel like this is a question of verbiage. My understanding is that, as a PA Notary, I have the ability to certify a COPY of the the vital record (birth cert, death cert, marriage cert), however I cannot notarize the original document. The question asked specifically uses the word "copy," which implies that a Notary Public could certify the document as a perfect facsimile of the original document. So I guess in short, the answer is "yes, you can certify a copy of a vital record, but no, you cannot notarize the original document of record (which you would never have access to anyway, because they are held by their issuing authority)."

National Notary Association

13 Sep 2019

Hello. We're sorry, but your interpretation is incorrect. PA Notary law states “A notarial officer who certifies or attests a copy of a record or an item which was copied shall determine that the copy is a complete and accurate transcription or reproduction of the record or item” (57 Pa.C.S. 305[d]). Notaries cannot certify that a copy of a vital record is a complete and accurate reproduction of the original if the original is in the possession of the issuing authority. You cannot certify that a copy is an accurate reproduction of another copy.

Gleice Pagani

01 Feb 2022

I'm a Florida notorie and I would like to know if I can notorize a copy of a marriage certificate from Canada?

National Notary Association

04 Feb 2022

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

ELIZABETH FOSTER

19 May 2022

Hello Can I notarize a copied Marriage certificate in the State of NJ?

National Notary Association

02 Jun 2022

Hello. No, a copy certification of a marriage certificate or other vital record cannot be performed in New Jersey.

iresa@theacductologist.com

29 Sep 2022

I am notarized in the state of Florida, county of broward and need to notarize a marriage certificate here in the state of Florida, miami-dade county. Am I able to notarize this certificate?

National Notary Association

06 Oct 2022

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

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