Is a Nevada Notary Public permitted by the State of Nevada and U.S. laws to certify a copy of the Certificate of Naturalization issued by USCIS? — V.G., Nevada
The state of Nevada specifically prohibits certifying copies of vital or recordable documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, or divorce or annulment decrees, but does not mention certificates of naturalization.
There is a federal law that prohibits anyone without lawful authority from making a copy of a naturalization certificate. 18 U.S.C. 1426(h) says in pertinent part, “Whoever, without lawful authority, prints, photographs, makes or executes any print or impression in the likeness of a... certificate of naturalization... shall be fined... or imprisoned.”
Certificates of naturalization often will have a warning citing this statute. The NNA is not aware of any “lawful authority” granted to Notaries for this purpose. In addition, even if lawful, an authority or receiving agency may not accept a Notary-certified copy and will require an official certified copy from USCIS instead. For these reasons, Nevada Notaries should not certify a copy of a naturalization certificate.
For more information, please see our articles on certifying copies of documents and why Notaries cannot certify copies of vital 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
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