As a Notary in the State of Florida, am I allowed to notarize a Pension Life Certificate from Jamaica? The wording on the certificate states: " ...whose signature is affixed (signature) is alive and to the best of my knowledge and belief is the person entitled to the payment of pension by the Government of Jamaica. " — J. B., Florida
Because the document requires you to certify that the customer is alive in your official capacity as a Notary, you may not notarize it. Your state's notarial laws do not allow you to make this determination. Instead, refer the signer to a consulate from the country that issued the document for further assistance.
Below is a link to information available on our website regarding notarizing a Certificate of Life, along with guidelines for notarizing these documents in other states:
FAQ: Notarizing Proof of Life Documents
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 consultants to help you with all of your notarial questions. Call 1-888-876-0827, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.